Rafsanjani Blasts Iran Rulers          05/23 07:18

   TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- An Iranian pro-reform website is reporting that former 
president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has strongly criticized the policies of the 
country's ruling clerical establishment, days after a constitutional watchdog 
disqualified him from running in the June 14 elections.

   "I think it is not possible to run the country worse than this," 
Jaheshnews.ir quoted him as saying late Wednesday in reaction to his Tuesday 
disqualification by the hard-line Guardian Council.

   Rafsanjani has not made any direct public statements since the decision. The 
quote was not carried on his official website, and the report could not 
independently verified.

   Rafsanjani, a centrist, had revitalized reformist hopes. His campaign 
manager says he will not protest the disqualification.


(KA)