August 14, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-us-Sani 15, 1424

TEHRAN, Aug 13: Iranian Council have rejected three reform bills put forward by President Mohammad Khatami, slamming reformist hopes of bringing Islamic democracy to Iran, press reports said on Wednesday.

The Guardians Council, a small conservative-run body that vets all legislation in line with the constitution and Islamic law, said on Tuesday night it had rejected two bills authorizing the government to sign international agreements against torture and women’s rights, and a third on electoral reform.

The electoral reform bill would have abolished the right of the council to weed out candidates for elections..—AFP