Mousavi's five suggestions for reconciliation

In his statement number 17 issued in last December, Mir-Hossein Mousavi presented five suggestions for reconciliation in Iran which were not reported in full in any of the western media. Here we publish a full translation of these five points.
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1. The government should declare before the people, the Majles [parliament], and the Judiciary that it takes direct responsibility for its shortcomings and weaknesses, is directly accountable for the problems it has caused the country, irrespective of the government’s present undue and extralegal support from the Majles and the Judiciary. If the government is effective and in the right, it will be able to answer to the people and the Majles, but if it is incompetent and illegitimate, the Majles and the Judiciary will deal with it within the framework of the Constitution.

2. Election laws should be codified so that they are transparent and trustworthy in order to gain the trust of the people and to assure that the competition is free, fair, and without any interference or manipulation. These laws must guarantee the participation of all people regardless of their ideological or political differences, and must prevent undue interference by parties associated with the various levels of the establishment. The early terms of the Majles after the revolution exemplify this process well.

3. Political prisoners should be released and their reputation and dignity restored. This action will be seen as a sign of the establishment confidence and intelligence, and not a sign of weakness. We are aware that there are reactionary political currents that will be against this measure.

4. Freedom of press and media and the granting of publication permits to recently banned newspapers are necessary elements for this process of improvement. There should not be any anxiety about a free press. In this regard, we can learn lessons from outside world experiences. The expansion of satellite TV channels and the importance and decisive influence of this media clearly shows the inadequacies and limitations of the outdated methods of the government’s national broadcasting system. Jamming, technical interferences and limitations on the Internet can only work for a limited time. The ultimate solution is to allow a diverse, informative and responsive free media. Isn’t it time for a courageous gesture based on confidence in our own thinkers and our own creative forces in society so that we may redirect public attention from the outside of our borders back to the political, cultural, and social creativity flourishing inside?

5. The right to have legal gatherings and to form political parties and associations in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution must be officially recognized. Movement in this direction can be made in conjunction with the collaboration and astuteness of all who are committed to the country. And assuredly, in several months, an atmosphere of friendship and national reconciliation will emerge that will replace the confrontations of Basij and security forces with the people, and people confronting each other.