President Mohammad Khatami stressed in Tehran on Friday the need to prepare grounds for the people's massive turnout in the upcoming parliamentary elections, IRNA reported.

In a meeting with the coordination council of the Second of Khordad groups, Khatami reviewed the very sensitive domestic and foreign issues and said the active presence of people in the upcoming parliamentary elections will defuse all threats and would be considered as a moral backing for materialization of their aspirations.

Khatami called on the Second of Khordad political groups to be united and embark on a very close cooperation in meeting people's demands.

The Second of Khordad movement has acted in line with religious yardsticks defined by the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, he said.

Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi who was present in the meeting, also called for a massive turnout by all groups in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

He said a democratic system in the framework of the Islamic Republic defined by the late Imam Khomeini to respect people's dignity and honor is what the Second of Khordad groups are seeking. The 6th Majlis (Parliament) has attained remarkable achievements in the political and economic arenas, he pointed out.

Karroubi called on all political parties to raise hope among people and foil the efforts of enemies who seek to disappoint them.

... Payvand News - 10/3/03 ... --