Former Iranian nuclear negotiator: Ahmadinejad is harming Iran

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran's former nuclear negotiator harshly rebuked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying the hardline president's policies have done more harm than good in his three years in office. Hasan Rowhani said the Iranian leader missed out on "golden" opportunities to develop the Persian state. His remarks were just the latest criticism among a growing tide Ahmadinejad faces at home ahead of the 2009 presidential elections. Speaking to a meeting Monday of the Moderation and Development Party, the former negotiator singled out Iran's high inflation - a fact despite huge oil revenues. He said Ahmadinejad failed to privatize the economy as required under the constitution and didn't use opportunities at the international level to improve Iran's standing. All this is very harmful to Iran, Rowhani said.