World IN BRIEF : IRAN : Parliament Spurns Economic Program

Parliament rejected President Hashemi Rafsanjani’s economic reforms by refusing to reappoint his finance minister, dealing Rafsanjani his worst blow in office. Parliament gave a vote of confidence to all 23 members of Rafsanjani’s proposed Cabinet except for Mohsen Nourbaksh, state television said. Rafsanjani quickly countered by appointing Nourbaksh vice president for financial and economic affairs, a new post. Rafsanjani appointed Nourbaksh’s deputy, Mohammed Javad Vahhaji, as caretaker at the Finance Ministry until a new minister is selected. Rafsanjani was reelected to a second four-year term in June, but with 63% of the vote, compared to 94.5% in 1989, reflecting discontent with the moribund economy.