Change in Iran?

Just how much Mohammed Khatami can change Iran now that he is installed as president remains unclear. His most progressive instincts on domestic issues may be stifled by Iran's ruling religious leaders, and serious tinkering with foreign policy seems doubtful although not impossible.

But Mr. Khatami, who won an overwhelming vote in May on a platform of moderate reform, is making a credible initial effort to give Iranians a less rigid government. His cabinet appointments are mainly new faces with a reputation for competence and a somewhat less ideological outlook than their predecessors.

Iran's spiritual leader, the conservative Sayed Ali Khamenei, has the final word on Iranian policies. The parliament, which must approve Mr. Khatami's cabinet, is dominated by conservatives who generally follow Ayatollah Khamenei's lead.

There is already opposition to the foreign minister designate, Kamal Kharrazi, stemming from his long experience in the United States. He earned his doctorate in education from the University of Houston and for eight years has served as Iran's representative to the United Nations.

The most striking accomplishment on Mr. Kharrazi's resume was his central role in the 1990-1991 negotiations that freed Western hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.

Mr. Khatami himself has lately stayed away from the extravagant anti-American rhetoric that most Iranian politicians favor and has even said that Iran could learn from the West.

One disappointment is that he has not nominated a cabinet that truly represents Iran. The support of Iran's women made him president, but he has so far not appointed a single woman to a cabinet-level post.

The mullahs who rule Iran can read election results as well as anyone. They know that the dogmatic social and cultural policies of the last government were exceedingly unpopular and could, over time, produce a restive citizenry. If nothing else, self-interest alone ought to motivate them to give Mr. Khatami a fair degree of latitude.

-- The New York Times