For the Presidential elections of June 2001, KHATAMI's Iran is till torn between reformists and conservatives. Reformists, the great majority of youth, women and artists, want to break free of the carcan of the Islamic Republic. Conservatives cling to the old values by relentlessly exploiting the myth of the revolution and the cult of martyrdom. Their leaders are Ali KHAMENEI, the Guide and Akbar RAFSANJANI.