QODS Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Expediency Council, said that yesterday's speech of President Khatami on the economic and social problems facing Iranian society deserves commendation. He said that the rivalry that has gripped society in recent years has dealt society a heavy blow, but that the forthcoming presidential elections could be a starting point for change if people resorted to constructive competition. He said continuing rivalry among factions will only work to the detriment of the people and they will be the eventual losers. He said that any kind of insult against a candidate, whether President Khatami or any other, is unethical.

He further clarified that constructive criticism against the government should not be taken in the negative, adding that people's attitude in this regard should change.