Within the context of this struggle, many of those who favor the latter are in positions of immense power and thus are able to halt Khatami's reforms and the dissemination of his ideas. While the political odds may be stacked against Khatami, Iran's youth remain optimistic. We must support him fully. We must build a civil society. There must be government accountability and an end to monopolistic practices.
Freedom is paramount.
We are ready to fight for these beliefs. This is all we have now. Nilufar uses language that Khatami has made familiar, a language that instills fear in the minds of conservatives, who view greater freedom and more open political participation as threats to their power. But they are mistaken. The soul of Iran belongs firmly to Khatami and the moderates.