I would have preferred to serve the nation and the people outside of the presidency. Mr Khatami himself has publicly lamented the limited powers of his office, which has no control over the conservative-dominated courts, police and army, to fulfil his pledge to institute the rule of law in Iran. High expectations Scores of journalists, politicians, student leaders and opposition figures have been jailed or are awaiting trial, including some of Mr Khatami's closest political allies. At least 135 other candidates have so far registered to contest the election, although the country's conservatives have not yet endorsed any major figure as their candidate. After registration, all candidates are vetted by the conservative Guardian Council, which is expected to disqualify many of the leading reformists.
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