TEHRAN TEHRAN TIMES has learnt that, as it had reported previously, the appointment of Mohammad Reza Aref to the post of deputy president is almost certain to be announced by the president when he shall introduce his new cabinet to the country.

The question of the minister of labor has finally been resolved by the appointment of Morteza Haji, the present cooperative minister to the post. Soufi, the governor general of Gilan province will take his place as the new minister of cooperatives.

Another new face joining the cabinet will be Reza Ardekanian who will serve the president as secretary to the cabinet.

It is learnt that Kamal Kharrazi will again be chosen as the president's candidate for foreign minister and Mohammad Hashemi will continue as deputy president for executive affairs.

Speaking in a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony, the president said he was going to announce his cabinet next week coinciding with the beginning of Government Week' (August 24-30).

Khatami said that fortunately, after four years of successful experience, he will step into the scene with more insight. He said the framework of his government's action is clear.

He added that even the program that will be offered has been well-worked out on the basis of the said framework.

The president said at least the outline of his program will be put at the disposal of the media and reporters so that people would become familiar with them.

He said that he will select members of his cabinet on the basis of meritocracy and announce them to the Majlis for a vote of confidence. Naturally, Majlis also will hold discussions about the new cabinet members freely, fairly and wisely, he added.

Asked about any reshuffle in his cabinet, Khatami said this will be made known in the next five or six days. He said the basis of his programs and actions are people.

He said the ground should be prepared to ensure a safe atmosphere for people's free and political activities.

He added that the government should ease its monopoly and privatize economic activities.

Therefore, all these require programs that have partly been compiled and included in the Third Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2000-2005) and other decisions to be made later.

Khatami said that occasionally, in certain cases there will be need for cooperation with Majlis or for new regulations that it should enact.

Definitely, he said, such a move would not take place in the absence of people or public participation. Legal and judicial grounds for such a participation should be prepared, he added.

Asked to comment on a row between the Majlis and Judiciary, Khatami said that he believed there existed no tension and the issue could be really solved through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Thanks to the mediation of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and the Expediency Council to tackle the problem, the issue was solved from legal and judicial point of view.

The issue should serve as an experience in solving problems through understanding, dialogue and tolerance and in preventing similar issues from inciting society or doing the country harm.

He expressed hope that he and his administration would in light of their experience be able to meet public demands and the Islamic Revolution's causes and handle sate of affairs in the best possible manner.