Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08IRANRPODUBAI20
2008-04-17 12:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Iran RPO Dubai
Cable title:  

EYEING 2009: AHMADINEJAD PRESSES AHEAD WITH ECONOMIC

Tags:  PGOV ECON IR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0650
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK
DE RUEHDIR #0020/01 1081236
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171236Z APR 08
FM IRAN RPO DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0258
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHDIR/IRAN RPO DUBAI PRIORITY 0251
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI PRIORITY 0222
RUEHAD/USDAO ABU DHABI TC
RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0190
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 IRAN RPO DUBAI 000020 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON IR
SUBJECT: EYEING 2009: AHMADINEJAD PRESSES AHEAD WITH ECONOMIC

REFORM

REF: A. RPO DUBAI 0015; B. 2007 RPO DUBAI 0048

RPO DUBAI 00000020 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Ramin Asgard, Acting Director, Iran Regional
Presence Office, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 IRAN RPO DUBAI 000020

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/17/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON IR
SUBJECT: EYEING 2009: AHMADINEJAD PRESSES AHEAD WITH ECONOMIC

REFORM

REF: A. RPO DUBAI 0015; B. 2007 RPO DUBAI 0048

RPO DUBAI 00000020 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Ramin Asgard, Acting Director, Iran Regional
Presence Office, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)

1.(C) Summary: The economy was the major focus of campaigning
in the March 2008 Majles elections (ref A),and will most likely
be a key campaign issue for presidential candidates next year.
Failing to adequately redistribute oil wealth to the
satisfaction of the Iranian people, as promised in his 2005
campaign, President Ahmadinejad is attempting to turn his
economic record around before next year's elections by
implementing former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi's
populist plan to provide "50 thousand tomans for every Iranian."
According to press reports, Ahmadinejad plans to phase out
government subsidies of goods in favor of direct, monthly cash
payments to every Iranian. Economists, while supportive of the
plan in principle, are skeptical of the ninth government's
capacity to effectively implement such a program. End Summary.

Economy takes center stage

--------------

2.(C) Despite increased oil revenue and continued economic
growth of 5.3% -- according to latest official figures; rising
inflation, sustained high-liquidity, continued high-unemployment
rates, and international sanctions have given Iranians much to
complain about when it comes to the economy. The economy was a
key campaign issue for parliamentarians in the March elections
(ref A),and will most likely be hotly debated in next year's
presidential elections as well. In an April 2008 World Public
Opinion poll, a 49% plurality of Iranians said they were "mostly
dissatisfied," with the economy. Economists inside Iran have
repeatedly and publicly criticized Ahmadinejad for his failure
to redistribute oil wealth and manage the economy effectively
(ref B).

Ahmadinejad responding to public concern?

--------------

3.(C) Ahmadinejad, in an apparent attempt to win electorate
favor in the run-up to next year's presidential elections,
announced at the start of the Iranian New Year (March 20),that
he has a "new economic plan" that includes "big reform."

According to an April 8 article in Rooz Online, if reports are
accurate, after 2 1/2 years in office Ahmadinejad and his
economic advisors have decided to implement the campaign promise
of 2005 presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi. During the ninth
presidential elections, Karroubi's campaign promise was direct
cash subsidies of "50 thousand Tomans (roughly $50 USD) for
every Iranian."

4.(SBU) An anonymous "informed source" was quoted by Fars News
as saying that "gradual payment of cash subsidies" is among the
new policies set to be announced by Ahmadinejad. The source
added that "in the first phase of the program, energy subsidies
such as gasoline subsidies will be deposited into accounts of
every individual, and gradually people with high incomes will be
removed from the list of energy subsidies recipients. In the
next phase, essential goods subsidies such as wheat and bread
subsidies will be paid out in cash." Echoing reports in Fars,
the website Alef (affiliated with conservative MP Ahmad
Tavakkoli) reported that "according to the most probable
scenario suggested in this program, energy and essential goods
subsidies will be paid in cash to different target groups. In
the program's initial drafts, it is expected that with the
phasing out of these subsidies, their equal in cash payments be
paid directly to all Iranian citizens. An initial estimate has
placed the payment for year 1387 (2008-2009) at 50 thousand
tomans per month per person."

Economists supportive, but skeptical

--------------

5.(SBU) Since the announcement of the subsidy reform, the
Iranian press has played host to a milange of editorials from
economists. E'temad newspaper carried one April 12 titled, "The
cash subsidy scheme might be another blunder in the economy."
In the article, the author claims that while the program has
theoretical merit, implementation by the ninth government could
have a "highly damaging and dangerous impact on our economy."
"Few remarks by government experts suggest that the necessary

RPO DUBAI 00000020 002.2 OF 002


studies regarding the operational aspects of this project have
been carried out comprehensively by an expert team and that the
necessary ground for implementing the scheme is now
ready...Previous experience in the ninth government shows that
the government is usually unaware of repercussions and
consequences of its economic policies and frequently rely on
good will to resolve the country's economic issues," claimed the
editorialist.

6.(C) Comment: Reforming Iran's current subsidy regime could be
a positive step towards improving the overall health of the
economy. However, as the economist pointed out if not
implemented properly it could drastically add to domestic woes.
Without careful management of the subsidy reform, inflation
could skyrocket as prices adjust to market forces and further
liquidity is injected into an already satiated market.
ASGARD