VZCZCXRO0692
RR RUEHBC RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHDE #2049/01 1021106
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 121106Z APR 06
FM AMCONSUL DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9729
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI 1417
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 2668
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBAI 002049 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  4/12/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PINS SOCI IR
SUBJECT: CONCEPT OF GOVERNANCE IN IRAN (C-NE5-01218) 
 
 
DUBAI 00002049  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Jason L. Davis, Consul General, Dubai, UAE. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
1.(C) Summary: For the most part, both Iranian contacts and visa 
applicants believe that Iran's central government in Tehran has 
the most impact on their lives. Government and politics, 
however, do not play a large role in their day-to-day lives. End 
summary. 
 
2.(C) In recent months, Conoff has spoken to a number of visa 
applicants and ConGen Dubai Iranian contacts regarding their 
concepts of governance, in relation to Iran, and the importance 
of government and politics in their lives. All but two responded 
that they viewed the central government in Tehran as the most 
having the most impact on their lives, but all also noted that 
government and politics in general do not play important role in 
their day-to-day lives. Of the two who believed that other 
levels of government were more important than Tehran, one 
thought the provincial level was most important, while the other 
stated that the local level was the most important. 
 
3.(C) A sociology professor at Azad University observed that the 
Iranian government is "very centralized." As a result, he 
claimed, there is a great deal of focus on Tehran and less focus 
on provincial or local governments. Nonetheless, local councils 
have been effective because educated members, including 
engineers and professors, have been elected to serve. 
Consequently, they have been able to help mayors with planning 
and other programs at the local level. 
 
4.(C) A Tehran University archaeology professor who spends most 
of his time on archaeology digs stated that, for the "average 
Iranian," the most important level of government is Tehran. He 
claimed, however, there was a difference between academics and 
"normal people." He implied that academics had greater 
expectations from government and political leaders. 
 
5.(C) An Iranian who runs a grain mill told Conoff that the most 
important level of government is Tehran. His wife and daughters 
claimed that Tehran was the most important because that is where 
laws are made and, for the most part, implemented. They also 
commented that they view Iran as a democracy, pointing out that 
they vote for both the president and Majlis representatives. The 
daughters noted, however, that democracy as a concept is not 
taught in their school. 
 
6.(C) A longtime Iranian resident of Dubai claimed that 
"politics is not important for Iranians." Soon after Ahmadinejad 
was elected, she claimed, a nationwide survey of Iranians was 
taken concerning the election. The majority of the respondents 
reportedly could neither provide the name of Ahmadinejad as the 
new president nor identify his picture. 
 
7.(C) A young trader at the Tehran Stock Exchange told Conoff 
that government, no matter what the level, does not play a large 
role in Iranians' day-to-day lives. Most people, he claimed, do 
not even know who their mayor or local council members are. He 
stated that unless a mayor or local council member does 
"something great for them," such local politicians don't play "a 
big role" in Iranians' lives. 
 
Karbaschi Held as Example of a Good Leader 
------------------------------------------ 
 
8.(C) Karbaschi's name came up repeatedly when Conoff discussed 
governance with visa applicants and ConGen Dubai Iranian 
contacts. Many specifically mentioned that during Karbaschi's 
tenure as Tehran mayor a number of new roads and a freeway were 
built, which helped alleviate, to a small extent, Tehran's 
horrible traffic problems. A young trader on the Tehran Stock 
Exchange told Conoff that "everybody" knew Karbaschi. They saw 
him achieve and get things done. The trader thought it ironic 
that Karbaschi was subsequently put in prison for corruption. 
 
9.(C) While Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad 
are by now undeniably familiar to most Iranians, their speeches 
are -- to varying degrees -- apparently not considered good 
dinner fare. When PolEconoff dined at a Dubai Iranian restaurant 
on the eve of the Iranian new year (Noruz), both Supreme Leader 
Khamenei and Ahmadinejad came on Iranian television during the 
course of the evening. When Supreme Leader Khamenei came on the 
channel, restaurant patrons quietly and calmly changed the 
channel; but when Ahmadinejad came on, however, the mostly 
Iranian crowd got visibly angry and scrambled to find a new 
channel, eventually opting for music videos over Iranian 
television. 
 
 
DUBAI 00002049  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Ahmadinejad's Performance as a Leader 
------------------------------------- 
 
10.(C) Many contacts seem convinced that Ahmadinejad's religious 
beliefs play a role in his decision-making. According to an 
Iranian political and economic analyst who recently spoke to 
PolEconChief, Ahmadinejad believes he has a mandate from God to 
protect the revolution and bring about social justice. This 
belief, he argued, distracts Ahmadinejad from day-to-day 
governance and could lead to corruption. A close Consulate 
contact, who worked in the Tehran Mayor's Office before coming 
to Dubai, told PolEconoff and Conoff he had briefly worked under 
Ahmadinejad during his tenure as Tehran mayor. He said he knew 
within one month that he needed to find a new job, and responded 
by moving his family to Dubai. He called Ahmadinejad "crazy," 
and clarified that he meant it in the truest sense of the word. 
He claimed that decisions made by Ahmadinejad were "proof enough 
of his craziness," but did not elaborate further. 
 
11.(C) A Tehran-based Iranian businessman said Ahmadinejad 
elected as a "populist president." He is currently traveling to 
different provinces with his cabinet to maintain this image with 
the Iranian public. According to Iranian press reports, 
Ahmadinejad and his cabinet have visited 10 of Iran's 28 
provinces as of March 26. These trips are reportedly part of 
Ahmadinejad's initiative of "bringing the government closer to 
the people." This contact does not believe that the Iranian 
public -- especially those who voted for Ahmadinejad -- are 
dissatisfied with his performance so far. Some may be 
dissatisfied, though, as they have thus far seen no improvement 
in their economic situation. On the contrary, the economic 
situation in Iran has deteriorated under Ahmadinejad, according 
to multiple Iranian contacts. According to an Esfahan University 
professor, who investigates fraud and corruption cases for the 
provincial court in his spare time, Ahmadinejad is not keeping 
his campaign promises and he doesn't seem to care. 
 
11.(C) Comment: Given the intensity with which the average 
Iranian seems to follow politics and current affairs, it is 
interesting that so many are claiming that politics and 
government play only a marginal role in their lives. Perhaps 
this is rooted in the widespread perception that Iranian 
politicians are hopelessly venal and corrupt; in some cases the 
disengagement may also be survival tactic -- a way to stay safe 
in the current political and social climate in Iran. 
DAVIS