President Barack Obama addressed the crisis in Iran during a news conference in Washington on Tuesday:
President Obama condemned Iran’s aggressive response to the mass protests that have swept the country after its contested elections, saying that the United States and the international community “have been appalled and outraged” by the intimidation, beating and detention of peaceful demonstrators.
“I’ve made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty” of Iran, he said. “But we must also bear witness to the courage and the dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.”
He also said that comments by Iranian officials blaming the United States, Britain and other Western nations for inciting the protests were “patently false” and a “tired strategy to use old tensions to scapegoat other countries” that will not work.
“Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history,” he said.
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Iran Election Violence , World's Reaction
Uncharacteristically it has been Europe, rather than the US, which has been the most vocal in condemning Iran's use of force in quelling the street protests that have left at least 17 dead.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has invoked the regime's anger by calling for a recount of the June 12 election that returned hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power.
France summoned Iran's ambassador to express concern about what it called "brutal repression" of protesters in Tehran while Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden also summoned Iranian envoys in their capitals.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
Italy has said it is prepared to open its embassy to wounded protesters, while the Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union presidency, has called for EU members to consider summoning the heads of Iran's missions in Europe to protest against post-election violence.
President Obama has been notably cautious, preferring to adopt a "wait and see" approach and stressing the US has not been involved in fomenting unrest but said he "strongly condemned" the killing of protesters.
Russia – long an ally of the Iranian regime – has appeared to back those in power by calling for a constitutional resolution to the crisis.
China has also backed President Ahmadinejad, with its foreign ministry saying it respected what it called "the choice of the Iranian people".
Syria, which has deep links with Iran, has criticised the street protests.
The response of Gulf states, which fear the onset of Iranian dominance in the region, has been mixed.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan, the United Arab Emirates' foreign minister, appeared to back Tehran's claims of Western meddling on Monday, saying interference was "unacceptable".
In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, whose leaders worry that a warming of relations between Washington and Tehran will weaken their position as the key regional power, newspapers and television channels have given extensive coverage to Iran's troubles.
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Sunday, June 21, 2009
Mahmoud Ahmedinajad Asks Britain and US to Stop Interfering in Iran
Reuters, citing Iran’s internal ISNA news agency, reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called on the United States and Britain to stop interfering in the Islamic Republic’s internal affairs.
“Definitely by hasty remarks you will not be placed in the circle of friendship with the Iranian nation. Therefore I advise you to correct your interfering stances,” Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a meeting with clerics and scholars.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, echoed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments on Sunday, warning the U.S., Britain, Germany and France not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs lest Iran respond to them in other fields, according to ISNA.
Stances adopted by the president of the United States, Britain’s prime minister, Germany’s chancellor and France’s president over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said.
It is embarrassing that the U.S., which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century, including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Mr. Larijani added. He said to the U.S., “You showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well. There is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he said.
“Definitely by hasty remarks you will not be placed in the circle of friendship with the Iranian nation. Therefore I advise you to correct your interfering stances,” Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a meeting with clerics and scholars.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, echoed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s comments on Sunday, warning the U.S., Britain, Germany and France not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs lest Iran respond to them in other fields, according to ISNA.
Stances adopted by the president of the United States, Britain’s prime minister, Germany’s chancellor and France’s president over Iran’s presidential elections and its developments showed other aspects of their adventurism when it comes to Iranians, he said.
It is embarrassing that the U.S., which has resorted to every cruelty on Iran’s nation over half a century, including backing the toppled Shah’s regime inhumane brutalities against people and imposing Iraq war on Iran, is now worried about Iran’s territorial integrity and human rights, Mr. Larijani added. He said to the U.S., “You showed the deceitful meaning of change too soon.”
“We Iranians know the way to resolve our differences very well. There is no need to your opportunistic and imperialistic gestures,” he said.
Obama Urges Investigation of Iran Election
President Obama, breaking his silence on the disputed presidential elections in Iran, said Iranians are entitled to have every vote counted, urged a full investigation into vote-rigging allegations, and called for an end to violence.
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Speaking during a White House photo opportunity with President Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, Obama said he and all Americans are troubled by reports that protests of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's decisive victory have resulted in bloody clashes. Obama told reporters that any investigation into the elections must not result in bloodshed.
"I am deeply troubled by the violence that I've been seeing on television," the president said. "I think that the democratic process, free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent - all those are universal values that need to be respected."
When Americans see violence used to quell peaceful demonstrations "they are rightfully troubled," Obama said. To the protesters, he added, "I would say the world is watching and inspired by the participation."
His remarks came hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reversed himself and proclaimed that charges of fraud in this weekend's presidential election would be investigated. At the same time, violence continued to flare in Tehran last night, and at least seven people were killed in street confrontations.
While Ahmadinejad continued to claim that he was reelected by a 2-to-1 ratio in heavy turnout, hundreds of thousands of supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the streets yesterday, accusing Ahmadinejad of rigging the election.
Discuss
COMMENTS ()
Speaking during a White House photo opportunity with President Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, Obama said he and all Americans are troubled by reports that protests of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's decisive victory have resulted in bloody clashes. Obama told reporters that any investigation into the elections must not result in bloodshed.
"I am deeply troubled by the violence that I've been seeing on television," the president said. "I think that the democratic process, free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent - all those are universal values that need to be respected."
When Americans see violence used to quell peaceful demonstrations "they are rightfully troubled," Obama said. To the protesters, he added, "I would say the world is watching and inspired by the participation."
His remarks came hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reversed himself and proclaimed that charges of fraud in this weekend's presidential election would be investigated. At the same time, violence continued to flare in Tehran last night, and at least seven people were killed in street confrontations.
While Ahmadinejad continued to claim that he was reelected by a 2-to-1 ratio in heavy turnout, hundreds of thousands of supporters of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the streets yesterday, accusing Ahmadinejad of rigging the election.
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