TEHRAN, Iran — The main pro-reform candidate in next week’s presidential elections accused Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday of undercutting Iran’s international standing by questioning the Holocaust.
In a nationally televised debate, Mir Hossen Mousavi said Iran has been "downgraded” in the eyes of world by President Ahmadinejad’s firebrand style and statements. Just hours earlier, Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a "big deception” and claimed Israel uses it to sway support.
"Our nation’s dignity has been harmed. We’ve been degraded. There has been increasing tension (under Ahmadinejad). … Is it in our interests?” Mousavi said during the face-to-face debate broadcast live across Iran.
He also said Ahmadinejad’s style of government was driving Iran toward "dictatorship.”
Mousavi and Ahmadinejad are in an increasingly tight race heading into the June 12 election. The outcome will set the tone of Iran’s policies on crucial issues ahead such as its standoff with the West over its nuclear ambitions and the possibility of groundbreaking talks with Washington after a nearly 30-year diplomatic freeze.
Ahmadinejad’s bid for re-election has been burdened by Iran’s stumbling economy and accusations that his confrontational policies have left Iran with few friends in the world.
by the associated press
In a nationally televised debate, Mir Hossen Mousavi said Iran has been "downgraded” in the eyes of world by President Ahmadinejad’s firebrand style and statements. Just hours earlier, Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a "big deception” and claimed Israel uses it to sway support.
"Our nation’s dignity has been harmed. We’ve been degraded. There has been increasing tension (under Ahmadinejad). … Is it in our interests?” Mousavi said during the face-to-face debate broadcast live across Iran.
He also said Ahmadinejad’s style of government was driving Iran toward "dictatorship.”
Mousavi and Ahmadinejad are in an increasingly tight race heading into the June 12 election. The outcome will set the tone of Iran’s policies on crucial issues ahead such as its standoff with the West over its nuclear ambitions and the possibility of groundbreaking talks with Washington after a nearly 30-year diplomatic freeze.
Ahmadinejad’s bid for re-election has been burdened by Iran’s stumbling economy and accusations that his confrontational policies have left Iran with few friends in the world.
by the associated press
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