The World - News from July 18, 1989

Hashemi Rafsanjani, so confident of winning Iran’s presidency on July 28 that he does not plan to campaign, said in an interview reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA that Tehran is ready to deal with the West on an equal footing. As president, he pledged, he will concentrate on reviving the nation’s industry, now running at less than half speed, and will support the sale of state-owned factories to raise cash. Both Rafsanjani and outgoing President Ali Khamenei are stressing the need for economic growth after eight years of war with Iraq.