Montag
10-23-2008, 02:16 PM
Questions over health of Iranian president
A string of cancelled events has sparked rumours Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be prevented from seeking re-election
Robert Tait
Thursday October 23 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/23/ahmadinejad-iran-health
excerpt:
He is renowned for his long hours, hectic schedule and workaholic habits but the stress of high office may be taking its toll on Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and jeopardising his political future.
Speculation about the hyperactive leader's health was prompted this week after a keynote speech to the state statistics and planning body was cancelled at the last minute and a cabinet meeting took place without him. A speech to a martyr's commemoration event was also called off. A senior aide, Amir Mansour Borghei, told journalists the president was "indisposed".
It has triggered rumours that Ahmadinejad, 52, is suffering from a long-term illness that may stop him running for re-election next year.
Shahab, the Iranian news website, reported that this week's events were the latest in a series of cancellations and said the president had previously pulled out of engagements because of listlessness caused by low blood pressure.
In May Ahmadinejad pulled out of events in three consecutive weeks, including a high-profile rally in Golestan province where he was due to meet voters face-to-face. Aides said he had an overcrowded schedule.
Citing "sources close to the government", Shahab said doctors had advised the president to cut his workload to reduce the possibility of illness. There is little sign he has heeded any such advice: yesterday's cancellation came after Ahmadinejad had returned to Tehran from a visit to the Asalouyeh oil and gas project in southern Iran.
A string of cancelled events has sparked rumours Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be prevented from seeking re-election
Robert Tait
Thursday October 23 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/23/ahmadinejad-iran-health
excerpt:
He is renowned for his long hours, hectic schedule and workaholic habits but the stress of high office may be taking its toll on Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and jeopardising his political future.
Speculation about the hyperactive leader's health was prompted this week after a keynote speech to the state statistics and planning body was cancelled at the last minute and a cabinet meeting took place without him. A speech to a martyr's commemoration event was also called off. A senior aide, Amir Mansour Borghei, told journalists the president was "indisposed".
It has triggered rumours that Ahmadinejad, 52, is suffering from a long-term illness that may stop him running for re-election next year.
Shahab, the Iranian news website, reported that this week's events were the latest in a series of cancellations and said the president had previously pulled out of engagements because of listlessness caused by low blood pressure.
In May Ahmadinejad pulled out of events in three consecutive weeks, including a high-profile rally in Golestan province where he was due to meet voters face-to-face. Aides said he had an overcrowded schedule.
Citing "sources close to the government", Shahab said doctors had advised the president to cut his workload to reduce the possibility of illness. There is little sign he has heeded any such advice: yesterday's cancellation came after Ahmadinejad had returned to Tehran from a visit to the Asalouyeh oil and gas project in southern Iran.