In his first public address since the demonstrations began, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the government will not surrender to the protesters. Two of our Observers, one a supporter and the other a critic of Ahmadinejad, give their opinions on the speech.
A few extracts from the speech:
"The result of the election comes from the ballot box, not from the street."
"Street challenge is not acceptable, this is challenging democracy after the elections."
"The legal structure in this country does not allow vote-rigging."
"If some people have doubts and evidence it should be dealt with through legal ways - only through legal ways. I will never accept illegal innovations."
"Arm-wrestling in the street must stop, I want everyone to put an end to this. If they don't stop this ... they will be held accountable for all of this."
"Enemies try through various media -- many of which belong to the Zionists -- to make people believe that there is a fight between supporters of the opposition and the Islamic establishment. They have no right to say that, that is not true."
Mohammad, 24, is an engineering graduate and supporter of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He returns from the Friday prayers at Tehran University, where Ali Khamenei delivered his speech.
About 85% of eligible voters participated in the
presidential election. That in itself is a victory for the Islamic Republic,
and shows to the world that the people here obey the rules and legitimacy of
the Republic.
But those who don't want to accept the rules, those who revolt against the majority, they are playing against our values. I looked today for pro-Mousavi or Karoubi supporters at the leader's speech and Friday prayers, but didn't find anyone except for one man who just talked to me about unity.
I think the Ayatollah had the last word. We don't need western interference and will stand against any kind of revolt aimed at our Islamic Republic."
Anahita, 33, is a blogger and neurosciences student. She left Iran a month ago.
Ayatollah Khamenei simply threatened us with hardcore
suppression. We need peace now, but if they use violence and gunfire tomorrow like
they did in the past week, the only response will be more hatred and anger. I'm
not sure if it's going to work, I don't think they can hold on to power for
much longer.
This shameful corruption of the election results was a clear message for us: if reform is impossible, then it's the end of the line for this regime."
Comments
Mottaki
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 09:59.Instead of focusing world attention on the election results, Iran's Foreign Minister should begin to focus his attention on explaining why the government chose to crackdown on the peaceful protests. At this point the election results are slowly but surely becoming irrelevant. The more the bloodshed, the more irrelevant the results of the election will become.
Unregistered user
Another Titttle
Submitted by Revolt (not verified) on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 11:31.Here you have a miniority who supportin regime and Khamanei and a majority who dont want to live in a Islamic Country, as you may read in Mohmamd and Anahita, but why choose Mohammad's for tittle?
You may change it to a balanced one or even better to Anahita's opinion, while there would be more brave,action and conflict in Anahita's tittle than pro regimes.
Unregistered user
Iranians react to Khamenei's speech: “People here obey the rules
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 10:09.This story reminds me of what has happened in Thailand recently. The only difference is that Thailand, with all its faults as a democracy, came out of their situation relatively peacefully. Actually, their situation is still ongoing, although to a much lesser degree than it has been a few months ago. Hopefully, Mr. Khamenei will have the wisdom and courage to demonstrate utmost care and restraint in dealing with the situation, like Thai politicians have.
Unregistered user
Generational Revolution
Submitted by Mike Rohan (not verified) on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 08:26.The majority of Iran's population is under the age of 30. And this demographic is way more secular than the theocracy and their supporters. A heavy handed approach from the theocracy might backfire. The same way the Shah's threats against Khomeini ended with his downfall.
Unregistered user
TERROR ALERT LEVEL ELEVATET
Submitted by iran watcher on Sun, 21/06/2009 - 12:48.TERROR ALERT LEVEL ELEVATET IN IRAN
Submitted by iran watcher on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 11:19.
IRAN ELECTION-MILITARY POLICY-MEDIA LIMITATIONS-
BY:ALIREZA AMIRHAJEBI.
URGENT
TEHRAN,JUN 20,2009-Irans leader speech was directly instruction to more suppress the protesters and reformists movement.He expressed: if people had killed or in future repeat these events leaders of demonstrations will be responsible to slaughter and massacre.with this threatening declaration,we concernd about people whose show their willing at silent positions.
Accordining to IRAN CONSTITUTION(ARTICLE 27):"All kind of peacful demonstrations are legal and no need to official permission.on condition that not against to religious law."
recent demonstrations are completly at peace.
Iran leader theorized and justified the official savagery attacks and killing young protesters.his declaration was deeply provocative.
Now,probability of increasing violence extens will be elevate.we warn about developing inflammation which goes to mass explosion that any one can not control.
We recived some creditable documents and expressing of witnesses which prove more than 600 activitists,students and journalists had been arrest without any info about their imprison and their charges.
These exact reportes show that many group of militiant(Basiji) and civil official make attack to activitists house and "Kidnap" them at midnights.such as:
AHMAD ZEIDABADI(JOURNALIST)
SAID LEYLAZ (ECONOMIC JOURNALIST)
MAHSA AMRABADI (JOURNALIST)
FATAH SOLTANI (HUMANRIGHT DEFENDER ATTORNY)
MOHAMMAD ALI ABTAHI(BLOGER)
MOHAMMAD QUGHANI(CHIEF EDITOR ETEMAD MELI)
Another story is detention of Dr.Ebrahim Yazdi old politician and frist FM after islamic revolution who was confine at hospital(ICU).Their family no informations about their situations and judical authorities try to mislead and astray their family with wrong info.
iran watcher