Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the first session of Iran's 7th Majlis, Khatami said reforms is a reality which is not affiliated to particular persons or groups.

"We cannot divert the realities of the society based on our own taste," he added.

"I have made every effort to have religion coupled with science, freedom, and independence. If we fail to do this, none of them will be achieved," Khatami said.

He cautioned that if the Expediency Council does not inform the government of its study on the Fourth Development Plan, the Third Plan will be extended for one year.

"We all agreed that the Fourth Plan should be approved in the sixth Majlis not because of political reasons but due to the parliament's experience in making law and approving annual budget bills... the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution (Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei) too stressed that the plan should be studied and approved in the sixth Majlis," the president said.

Asked about interaction between the government and the sixth Majlis, Khatami said, "The Islamic Consultative Assembly and the government have their own position. The government will keep on working by the end of this year within the framework of the Third Development Plan. The government's economic policies are approved by the Majlis."

The president noted that Majlis has the right to criticize and ask questions while the government will try to work within the framework of law.

Khatami said "The MPs, as they have announced so far, are determined to cooperate with the government."

He hoped the 7th Majlis would pay attention to the Supreme Leader's message and his guidelines.

... Payvand News - 5/27/04 ... --