Mr. David Cooney:

Unfortunately, they rejected many candidates, including some senior figures within the governing elite. I believe they were rejected because they did not like opposition, even from within their own cadre. If the Mujahidin had been able to put up its own candidate, it would have been a test of the support. I could comment on why US generals were there. I do not believe it is a secret that the United States is not supportive of the regime in Tehran and would be only too happy if it were to fall one way or another. On the issue of Mr. John Bruton addressing it, he is probably still a politician at heart. I know he acted as EU ambassador in Washington, but I suspect he is more of a politician than a diplomat at heart. The Deputy will need to ask him why he was there.