LINDEN SOLES, CNN ANCHOR: Iran has a new president, but this doesn't necessarily bode well for improved relations with the</s>U.S. CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The polls have been open since early this morning, and as far as we could tell, there was quite a heavy turnout, lines stretching outside each polling station that we were able to see. For the first time in 18 years of this Islamic republic since the Islamic revolution, people here are really excited about a presidential election. Now this is all relative, only four candidates out of 238 were picked, and those from the ruling clerical conservative establishment. But these two candidates, who were the front-runners, represent very different wings of the this establishment: one the more the more traditional conservative; the other the more moderate. And it is the excitement around this moderate Mohammed Khatami that is really generating a lot of the hope amongst especially the young here in Iran. (voice-over): When Mohammed Khatami came to cast his vote, he could barely push his way through the throng. Not only the hordes of Iranian and international journalists sensing an upset in the making, but the voters themselves, cheering and mobbing him as he tries to leave. Many say, it is a long time since a cleric has been this popular here. Khatami promises rights, freedom and rule of law. He promises something a little different. And if the crowds this week are a true indicator, it's not just the young, but women, intellectuals and all social classes that are drawn to him.
CNN 20: Khatami Elected Iranian Pres., May 23, 1997