In Iran, Khatami quiet on possible comeback

Robinson, however, was more openly critical of Ahmadinejad — particularly his statements that Israel should be "wiped off the map."

"Iran's image is negative because of the statements (Ahmadinejad) made about Israel. It is a pity," said Robinson, wearing a white head scarf during the visit. "I hope Iran will re-embark on democratic reforms in the future, a program pursued when Khatami was president."

As the guests toured, children at a nearby school greeted Khatami with a song and the audience chanted: "Long live Khatami, our next president." Khatami was dressed as usual in his elegant clerical robes and turban — another obvious contrast to the simple windbreakers and department store suits favored by Ahmadinejad.

The European visitors did not meet with Ahmadinejad on their trip. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, also in town for the religious conference portion, did meet separately with Ahmadinejad.

On the plane to Yazd, the soft-spoken Khatami strolled through the aisle, chatting individually with the visitors, including France's ex-premier Lionel Jospin and former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.

Last month in New York, Bondevik attended a dinner hosted by Ahmadinejad during the U.N. General Assembly and expressed "deep concerns" about alleged human rights violations in Iran and said all nations must "defend Israel's right to exist."

State of economy
The months ahead are critical for Ahmadinejad to try to rebuild his political base and answer critics pointing to his unfulfilled campaign promises from nearly five ago, including spreading the wealth of Iran's oil revenue to poor provinces around the country.

But employment and inflation continue to burden the economy and Iran has been unable to bask in record-high oil profits — which are needed to cover domestic gas subsidies and leaving one of OPEC's giants in the embarrassing position of rationing the reduced-price fuel because of a lack of refinery capacity.

Ahmadinejad is also confronting questions about his uncompromising stance with the West over Iran's nuclear program, which Washington and allies believe could lead to development of nuclear arms. Iran denies the charge and says it only seeks energy-producing reactors.

In Geneva on Tuesday, the parliament speaker Larijani said Iran was willing to resume nuclear negotiations with the world powers, but denounced U.N. sanctions as the "outdated tactics of carrot and stick."

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