Tensions escalate in Tehran as more protests take place
Published: 11 July, 2009, 01:21
TAGS: Middle East, Protest
Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Tehran on Friday, defying security forces using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Demonstrators gathered outside Tehran University to commemorate a student uprising 10 years ago.
This is the first opposition rally in two weeks after Iranian authorities banned demonstrations. A ban was imposed when mass protests followed claims of electoral fraud, allegations rejected by re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The protests sparked some of the bloodiest violence seen in the country since the Iranian revolution of 1979, also known as Islamic Revolution, when the Iranian monarchy was overthrown and replaced with the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian authorities claim that the U.S. and Britain have been meddling in the country’s internal affairs and have helped support the protests. But Christopher Preble of the CATO Institute, which promotes peaceful international relations and individual liberties, says there is no evidence to support the claim.
“I have no reason to believe it’s true,” Preble told RT. “Of course, the U.S. and the U.K. were involved in the overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953, and that’s something the Iranians are taught on a regular basis, but I think President Obama has taken a very careful but ultimately appropriate stance recognizing the likelihood that he would be accused of fomenting this unrest and therefore undermining the legitimacy of this popular protest.”
There have been human rights abuses when peaceful protestors have been fired upon and several even killed, and by doing this the Iranian government has undermined itself in the eyes of international community, suggested Preble. But whether Ahmadinejad’s government is able to rule with legitimacy, Preble said, is going to be decided by sentiment inside of Iran, far more than any international criticism or sanctions.
10.07.2009, 22:31
1 comment
G8 growing bigger?The G8 summit that came to an end on Thursday has brought new prospects for major reforms in the world’s most influential political institutions. |
11.07.2009, 09:07
1 comment
Banks accused of loan shark tacticsRussian banks are being accused of intimidation in their desperate quest to get loans repaid. |
Very interesting switch in the article, which demonstartes the truth, first US and UK and mentioned, then the commentary switches to Obama. But that tries to divert from the fact that the internal meddling in Iran is from the UK, it is almost a sole action and activity. It is the UK that has trained its actors in London, who is running its newtork in Iran from London and its Embassy in Tehran. These are the facts, London is on a mission, to show it has value to the US, after the last mess it created over Iraq, it knows it needs to perform well to impress its US master, if it is to be allowed to sleep at his masters feet, over the winter.
While the mission to undermine Iran is obvious, it is less obvious who the internal beneficiaries of the potential coup are, as well as the origins of the funding for this newest version of color revolution. The ingredients are all there: branding of color, fingers, signature scarfs and slogans. All conveniently with "islamic" flavor, starting with the choice of color to the immitation rooftop shouting. But the signs in English, as well as the technology, are aimed at reaching a different audience. The marketing is clearly aimed at the West. Former President Rafsanjani, whom Ahmedinejad beat last time in the runoff, KNEW this time that he personally could not run. There is hardly a less popular politician in religious garb then Rafsanjani. Rafsanjani, Khatami and now Mousavi, put on the banner of reform, and rallied their limited consituency. It is the REAL reform that scared the "reformists". Ahmedinejad's real reforms threaten their corrupt controls of the oil, exports, financial system, and education. They knew they could not win and must try to deny Ahmedinijad the legitimacy. As predicted by one of the best in covering Iranian affairs, M. K. Bhadrakumar, the political struggle as well as the protests will be allowed to continue for a while. It is necessary to force in the open various forces, and identify where they stand. The most surprising aspect of this color revolution is the preponderance of participation by the priviledged and affluent in Iranian society. It is not clear what social dynamics has created a layer of young and prosperous that is so out of touch with the Iranian society. As the revolutionaries failed to attract any support in the countryside, and no support among the working middle class --- the objectives of this color revolution are in disarray.