LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
June 23/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 7:1-5. Stop
judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you
notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam
in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter
from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the
wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the
splinter from your brother's eye.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
HRW urges Syria to charge or free Hariri case
detainee-AFP 22/06/09
The
reunion between Nasrallah and Jumblatt bodes well for Lebanon.
The Daily Star
22/06/09
Lebanese follies/Future
News 22.06.09
Iran Has Changed. By:
Abdul Rahman 22/06/09
Iran… What Should President Obama
Do?By Tariq Alhomayed 21/06/2009
I'm Going to Demonstrate, Wish me
Luck!By: Diana Mukkaled20/06/2009
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for June
22/09
Muallem:
Syria Awaits New Government's Policy on Bilateral Ties-Naharnet
Jumblat:
Only I Decide on Who to Meet, When and How-Naharnet
Authorities Stop Truck in Bekaa Suspected of Smuggling Weapons-Naharnet
Speaker
to Be Elected Thursday, Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc Nominates Berri-Naharnet
Saniora Says Hariri His
'Only' Candidate for PM-Naharnet
Iranian police arrest hundreds in
post-election clashes.AP
Iran's Top Leader Dashes Hopes for
a Compromise/New
York Times-Naharnet
Zoghbi: March 14 will not disintegrate. Future News
Souaid:
the Patriarch preserved co-existence.
Future News
Geagea: Christian MPs demand
guarantees to reelect Nabih Berry-Future News
El Zein takes charge today, Speaker
elections expected Thursday-Future
News
Zahra: Targeting the Patriarchate
is a national conspiracy-Future
News
Qassem Sees No Need for a Meeting
with Gemayel, Geagea and Asks for Explanations from Sfeir-Naharnet
Speaker
to Be Elected Thursday-Naharnet
Saniora
Says Hariri His 'Only' Candidate for PM-Naharnet
Williams for Quick Formation of Cabinet-Naharnet
Jumblat Ends Mission of Security Forces Appointed for his Protection-Naharnet
Geagea Ready to Meet Nasrallah, Asks Berri for Guarantees-Naharnet
Report: Opposition is
Seeking to Form a Wider Political Front-Naharnet
Saudi Source Denies
Lebanese Reports About Khoja's Visit to Damascus-Naharnet
Elected 2009 Parliament
Officially in Power, Saniora Cabinet Caretaker Government-Naharnet
British Official and Hezbollah Deputy Hold Meeting-Asharq
Alawsat
Maronite Catholic leader raps Hezbollah, points to Lebanese ...Catholic
Culture
Parliament's oldest MP expects to call session to re-elect Berri as speaker-Daily
Star
Eight
suspects convicted in plot to attack UNIFIL-Daily
Star
Lebanon's UN envoy files complaint over Israeli breaches of Resolution 1701-Daily
Star
Patriarch Sfeir thanks those who defended his stances-Daily
Star
Future Movement MP wants 'best relations' with Syria-Daily
Star
Aridi
backs expanding Democratic Gathering alliance-Daily
Star
MP
Adwan's top priority reconciling with Franjieh-Daily
Star
Fadlallah: Obama 'incapable of implementing change-Daily
Star
Sleiman denies media reports he was 'upset' with Aoun-Daily
Star
Shiites
in south fear government neglect, Israeli aggression after March 14 victory-By
Inter Press Service
Trading of Beirut stocks slows, erasing previous gains-Daily
Star
UN
hosts day of activities for 600 child refugees-Daily
Star
Fire
fighters combat blazes in Kfar Hatta-Daily
Star
Film
puts spotlight on misery at Nahr al-Bared-Daily
Star
HRW Urges
Syria to Charge or Free Hariri Case Detainee
Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Monday for the release of a man held by Syria
without charge since 2005 in connection with the murder of Lebanese ex-premier
Rafik Hariri.
"The Syrian authorities have been holding Ziad Ramadan for almost four years,"
the New York-based watchdog's Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said.
"If they have nothing to hide in the Hariri investigation, then they should
immediately free him or charge him with a recognizable crime," she said in a
statement.
The U.N.-backed investigation into the Hariri murder questioned Ramadan, a
Syrian citizen working in Lebanon, when television channels broadcast footage of
a man named Ahmed Abu Adas claiming responsibility for the Valentine's Day
bombing that killed the former premier.
"Ziad Ramadan was a friend of Abu Adas and his colleague in a computer company
in Beirut -- that's basically the link," the senior researcher at HRW's Beirut
office, Nadim Houry, said.
The UN-backed tribunal has said officially that it never requested that he be
detained, Houry added.
"What they were asking about was Ahmed Abu Adas: did he drive and did he have
internet access," he told Agence France Presse (AFP).
After being questioned in Lebanon, Ramadan left for Syria where he turned
himself in upon hearing they were looking for him, HRW said.
He was then detained for almost a year in a Syrian military security bureau,
dubbed the Palestine branch, before being transferred back to the main prison in
the city of Homs, north of Damascus.
In August 2007, Syrian authorities again transferred Ramadan to the Palestine
branch without informing his family, who were able to see him just once, in
September 2007.
His family has heard nothing of him since, Houry said.
"Our concern is twofold: the first is that he has been incommunicado and has for
all intents and purposes disappeared since 2007," he told AFP.
"The second is if they have evidence that he committed a crime, then they should
turn him in to court for a fair trial."
In May, the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon ordered the release of four
Lebanese generals detained in Lebanon since 2005 in connection with the murder.
There are no other suspects being held by the tribunal in connection with the
case.(AFP) Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 14:58
Patriarch Sfeir thanks those
who defended his stances
By Maroun Khoury /Daily Star correspondent
Monday, June 22, 2009
BKIRKI: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir on Sunday thanked all those who had
understood and defended his stances regarding Lebanon's recent parliamentary
elections. "We thanked all those who expressed their sympathy and denounced all
that was said against us," Sfeir said during his Sunday sermon in Bkirki.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
strongly criticized the patriarch for a pre-elections statement in which the
patriarch had warned that "Lebanon's entity and Arab identity will be in danger"
should the opposition win. In a statement on the eve of the June 7 polls, Sfeir
warned that it may be a "mistake" if the Islamist group and its allies were to
win the election, and spoke of "a threat to the Lebanese entity and its Arab
identity."The patriarch told Al-Quds al-Arabi in comments published on Sunday
that he did not understand the concept behind the blocking third in the
government. "I do not understand the blocking third, since we are used to having
a party that rules and another that opposes," Sfeir said. The prelate said he
had no say concerning the election of a Parliament speaker. Regarding Future
Movement leader MP Saad Hariri's possible nomination to head Lebanon's
post-elections government, Sfeir said he will support whoever MPs support for
the position. "Hariri is known for his moderation and for best serving his
country," he said. "I do not intervene in nominations for the speaker, since
only the MPs can decide this issue and they will choose the best candidate,"
Sfeir added.
Zoghbi: March 14 will not disintegrate
Date: June 21st, 2009 Source: Voice of Lebanon
March 14 member, Elias Zoghbi assured in an interview on Saturday that March
14’s political body, formed over the past years, will not disintegrate. Zoghbi
lauded the meeting between Hizbullah Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
and Progressive Socialist Party boss, MP Walid Jumblatt. The surprise meeting
held on Thursday addressed the need to work for a comprehensive reconciliation
that would lead to cooperation among all Lebanese parties. Recent hard-line
"threats" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also discussed.
Concerning the June 7 parliamentary elections, he believes that the issuance was
a conclusive response to the May 7 attacks when armed supporters of Amal and
Hizbullah started street fights and disrupted stability. On the Armenians’
position in the elections, Zoghbi said “Armenians who are not affiliated with
Tashnag Party have jolted up in number Achrafieh to more than 35% although
Tashnag boasts about possessing 80% of the total number of Armenians in the
district.” He expected Tashnag to re-consider its political alliances after the
loss it incurred in the elections. Tashnag, a March 8 ally, expected to win five
seats but could only attains two, given to the party by settlement.
Souaid:
the Patriarch preserved co-existence
Date: June 21st, 2009 Future News
Fares Souaid the coordinator of March 14 General Secretariat called all the
Maronite MPs to confront those who dare assault the Patriarchy, stressing that
no one could criticize Bkirki and the Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. “Patriarch
Sfeir preserved co-existence in the worst conditions, in war and peace starting
from the reconciliation of Mount Lebanon, to the spiritual summit which was held
at Bkirki year 2009 which provided the moral cover for Hizbullah during the
Israeli occupation to the statement of the Maronite Patriarchs that set the
basis of the Syrian withdrawal” Souaid said. He pointed that assaulting the
Patriarch and Sfeir is due to the aftermath of the parliamentary elections,
adding that Syria and Iran held Hizbullah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah responsible for the loss of March 8 group because “Nasrallah dared to
assault Patriarch Sfeir to remove responsible away from him and blame the loss
on the others.”Souaid stressed that the Maronite team is blamed for allowing
others to assault the Patriarch, calling all the Maronite MPs to unite in
defending Bkirki.
Lebanese follies
Date: June 22nd, 2009 /Future News
The Lebanese proved nothing, as they did in terms of declaring their rejection
to settle the Palestinians in their soil, but it seems that some political
forces exploit the settlement issue to instigate ideological and sectarian
hideous strife. Everybody by now realized that it is one of the impossibilities
to impose on the Lebanese or on any other population in the world something they
don’t approve of or reject. There is an adamant daily Lebanese consensus to
reject the settlement like a perpetual musical refrain, but apparently some
people took advantage of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech
and used it as a pretext to manipulate instincts in an attempt to regain the
popularity they dramatically lost in the parliamentary elections on June 7.The
irrevocable issue is that all Israeli ancestors and successors reject the
Palestinians right of return. So far no Zionist official demanded settling the
Palestinians in the countries they refuged to, and supposedly they did, the
Lebanese’ resolution to oppose such decision will wipe up any malignant projects
the Israelis seek to implement by force.
Most of the repeated calls for rejecting the settlement of the Palestinians
stems from sectarian-demographic backgrounds that are considered legitimate to
some extent. However we all know that most of the calls are not based on a
serious substantive affiliation to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and not driven by
critical bias to the Palestinian people as much as it is a humanitarian issue
and sympathy to the people who suffered most unparalleled tragedies, and tasted
unmatched miseries of displacement and pain throughout history.
All of the aforementioned blunders fall within the context of the Lebanese’s
foolishness and stupidity, and unfortunately are still repeated by political
aficionado not by professional practitioners, and are causing a mixed feeling of
boredom and depression at the same time.
Qassem
Sees No Need for a Meeting with Gemayel, Geagea and Asks for Explanations from
Sfeir
Naharnet/Hizbullah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem has asked Maronite Patriarch
Nasrallah Sfeir for explanations and said serious consultations on cabinet
formation haven't started yet. In an interview with al-Jadeed TV station Sunday
night, Qassem called for an explanation from Bkirki on Sfeir's statement a day
before the June 7 polls that the opposition's victory in the elections threatens
the Lebanese entity. "We decided in consultation with the opposition to announce
a common stance whether to participate in government or not," Qassem said in the
interview. "We haven't entered into a direct discussion" on the issue of
government formation, he told al-Jadeed. The Hizbullah deputy secretary general
also expected behind-the-scene consultations to reach a compromise between the
majority and opposition, adding that the Syrian-Saudi agreement will reflect
positively on the country. Qassem insisted that a meeting between Hizbullah
leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Phalange leader Amin Gemayel on one hand and
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea on the other couldn't be held before they
review their speeches. The top Hizbullah official, however, told his interviewer
that nothing prevents a meeting between Nasrallah and al-Mustaqbal movement
leader Saad Hariri. Qassem also accused the majority in parliament to be
shackled and not able to act on their own. On the agreement with Gen. Michel
Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, Qassem said that the agreement is on the defense
strategy. Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 07:48
Saniora Says Hariri His 'Only' Candidate for PM
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Monday said Mustaqbal Movement leader
Saad Hariri is his "only" candidate for the prime minister post. Saniora,
following a meeting with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace, highlighted
the need to abide by the Doha Accord. Saniora recalled that the Doha agreement
stressed that the various political parties in Lebanon should not resort to arms
to achieve political gains. Turning to veto power, Saniora brought to mind that
"we have had an unuseful experience" in that regard.
Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 11:20
Speaker to Be Elected Thursday, Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc Nominates Berri
Naharnet/Eldest MP Abdel Latif el-Zein called for a parliament session at 10:30
am Thursday to elect a new speaker. Zein made the announcement in parliament
after he resumed work at his office Monday. A parliamentary source told al-Liwaa
newspaper on Monday that the tendency of most parliamentary blocs is toward
re-electing current Speaker Nabih Berri for a fifth term in office. Meanwhile,
Loyalty to the Resistance bloc announced following its first meeting that it was
nominating Berri for the speaker's post. Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 10:24
Williams for Quick Formation of Cabinet
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Naharnet/Michael Williams called for a
quick formation of the new cabinet and said it was important to have stability
in the region.
Williams also said after meeting with Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel
Aoun in Rabiyeh that talks focused on internal issues, the situation in Iran and
the Palestinian cause.
The U.N. official said that Lebanese officials have expressed worries about
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last speech in which he said the
problem of Palestinian refugees should be solved outside Israel. Beirut, 22 Jun
09, 13:15
Consensus
on soothe fire
Date: June 22nd, 2009 Future News
By the time Lebanon is concerned of the deterioration taking place in Iran and
aware from the extremist speech on the Israeli arena; it waits for the
activation of efforts to consolidate the Lebanese internal against any regional
effects which Lebanon is used to be the victim of. Consolidating the Lebanese
arena is through providing a “minimum” level of “political consensus” to execute
the upcoming processes, starting from electing the parliament Speaker and
forming the government after the mandate of the 2005Council ended and turned
into a government of conducting business.
Till this moment, the first process is expected to result in the re-election of
Speaker Nabih Berry for a fifth mandate, since he is the only candidate, while
it is almost unanimous for naming MP Saad Hariri the leader of Almustaqbal
movement and the leader of the parliamentary majority and the most appropriate
candidate for the Prime Ministry. Despite this consensus, it is agreed not to
discuss this issue before its time, even though March 8 group is insisted for
the blocking third, and if it couldn’t be achieved, it could be replaced with
important Ministries!.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Hizbullah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah continues
his meetings with March 8 figures where he met with a delegation from the
Tashnaq party chaired by Secretary General Hovick Makhitarian and MP Hagob
Bacradonian. Both sides discussed the internal political situation, specifically
the upcoming stages.
Away from political expected stages, Lebanon revived yesterday the fourth
memorial for the martyrdom of George Hawi the former Secretary General for the
communist party, the man who knew struggle as the only way for life. MP Amin
Wehbeh declared to Almustaqbal.org that “Hawi was assassinated because he was a
supporter for March 14 and the independence, constitution and sovereignty of
Lebanon, which formed a qualitative change in the independence movement.”
Sfeir rejects the obstructing third
The Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir refused the issue of the obstructing
third in the new government during an interview with Al-Quds Al-Arabi magazine
saying: “in Lebanon, there is a team that governs and another that represents
the opposition; I do not understand the blocking third.” Sfeir pointed that
there is no reason for Christian-Muslim strife or any other citation between
communities for the benefit of the resettlement conspiracy.
Sfeir expressed during the Sunday sermon his gratitude for "all those who
understand our position on the parliamentary elections, and expressed their
condemnation to what targeted us from those who have objected which are well
known."
But member of the Change and Reform bloc MP Nabil Nicolas addressed Sfeir saying
that “no one could ignore the political value of General Michel Aoun no matter
how spiritually and politically respected he is.”
Voting for Berry according to his program
Leader of the executive body of the Lebanese Forces MP Samir Geagea declared
that his bloc will not re-elect Speaker Berry unless he provides a clear program
“which is compatible with our suggestions and convictions,” stressing that if
Berry will adopt the program of March 8 group “with all respect, we are not
going to vote for him.”
Member of Almustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Hadi Hobeich said that March 14
deputies have questions for re-electing Speaker Berry saying that “We have
wishes and demands of President Berry which we will request, specifically not to
disrupt the state institutions.”
On the other side, the speech of Speaker Nabih Berry was “positive” and “open”.
MP Ali Hassan Khalil called to “extend arms as political groups who stood in
opposite sides during the previous stage, to form a united path that rescues
Lebanon from crisis and turns different points of views and positions into an
element of enrichment to the political life.”
MP Ali Bazzi said: “we will deal with the upcoming stages in positivity and
flexibility, and we support Sheikh Saad Hariri as a Prime Minster for the new
government.” He added that “we will not give any details concerning the
formation and the formula, and we wait for the opinion of the majority team
about its intention in forming a government of national unity.”
Leader of Loyalty to Resistance MP Mohammed Raad stressed that “electing the
Parliament Speaker is almost decided, but the issue of the Prime Ministry and
forming the government is still under discussion.” Raad finally stressed that
“we must live in this country in agreement and understanding, even with the
minimum level, with respect to the internal situation.”
Jumblat Ends Mission of Security Forces Appointed for his Protection
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has asked authorities
to end the mission of security forces who were protecting his Mukhtara mansion
in the Shouf mountains.
On Sunday, Jumblat held a lunch banquet in honor of the security group that was
formed three years ago to protect him. The PSP leader thanked the officers for
their efforts in the past three years, saying that he considered "the
consolidation of police stations in Shouf" as a priority. Jumblat also lauded
the army and Internal Security Forces for their "efforts to protect civil peace
and internal stability in addition to discovering Israeli spy cells and
organizing parliamentary elections in one day."Sources close to Jumblat hoped
that the PSP leader's move would be an incentive for other officials to withdraw
exaggerated number of guards. The sources told As Safir newspaper in remarks
published Monday that such guards and security forces could be useful in
consolidating security in the country. Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 09:09
Geagea Ready to Meet Nasrallah, Asks Berri for Guarantees
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said LF MPs will put empty papers in
the ballot box if Speaker Nabih Berri rejects giving guarantees not to obstruct
parliamentary work again. LF lawmakers will vote with an empty paper "if Speaker
Berri continues to refuse giving the required guarantees not to close parliament
(doors) again," Geagea told As Safir daily in remarks published Monday. "We ask
for a clear official guarantee," Geagea said about Berri's possible reelection
as parliament speaker, adding that the Lebanese voted for the LF based on a
political platform that includes among others rejection to obstruct
parliamentary work under any circumstances. "How can we elect him without he
presents a convincing vision on his performance in the next four years?" Geagea
wondered, urging Berri to be neutral like President Michel Suleiman. About
inconsistence between his stance and that of his March 14 allies MPs Saad Hariri
and Walid Jumblat, Geagea told As Safir: "Al-Mustaqbal movement hasn't adopted a
final stance yet … As for MP Jumblat's stance, it comes as part of his efforts
to consolidate calm after the June 7" elections. On last week's meeting between
Jumblat and Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Geagea said he was not
worried, adding that Jumblat was still a member of the March 14 alliance. The LF
chief also expressed readiness to meet with Nasrallah and all Christian and
non-Christian leaders as part of his stance to extend hands after the elections.
On representation in cabinet, Geaega said that he agreed to abide by Free
Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun's demand for proportional
representation based on the number of Christian MPs that Aoun and March 14
forces got. According to the LF leader, this means that the majority's
Christians would get 60% of representation in cabinet while Aoun will get 40%.
Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 08:39
Report: Opposition is Seeking to Form a Wider Political
Front
Naharnet/Hizbullah is reportedly planning to transform the opposition into a
wide political front that has a united political, economic and social vision. As
Safir daily said Monday that Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah brought up
the subject with several delegations that visited him in the past week. The
newspaper also said that talks focused on the importance and need for a strong
participation in the next cabinet without making the final say on the size of
the opposition in the government. As Safir quoted opposition party sources as
saying there is openness in agreeing to MP Saad Hariri's nomination for the
premiership. They said MP Suleiman Franjieh, however, has rejected the Mustaqbal
movement leader's nomination because Hariri "tried to politically eliminate
Franjieh during the elections in the north, particularly in Batroun, Koura and
Zgharta districts where there is no Sunni majority." Ad-Diyar daily, meanwhile,
quoted trustworthy sources as saying that Nasrallah informed President Michel
Suleiman about his latest meetings, particularly his talks with Progressive
Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat and stressed his support for the president.
The newspaper added that Nasrallah will also meet with Speaker Nabih Berri, MP
Michel Aoun and other opposition allies. The Hizbullah leader has met with
Syrian Social National Party leaders, a delegation from the Tashnag and Marada
leader Franjieh. Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 10:05
Saudi Source Denies Lebanese Reports About Khoja's Visit to
Damascus
Naharnet/A Saudi source denied media reports that Culture and Information
Minister Abdel Aziz Khoja has visited Damascus. The source told al-Liwaa
newspaper that the reports were fabricated, adding that there was an official
invitation for Khoja from the Syrian information minister to visit Damascus but
the date for such visit hasn't been set yet.
Al-Akhbar daily had reported that opposition sources monitored visits by Saudi
delegations to Damascus, adding that king Abdullah's son Abdel Aziz bin Abdullah
had asked for an urgent meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Al-Akhbar
also said that Khoja visited Damascus. Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 10:16
Sfeir Says Premiership, Speakership Not His Business
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said Lebanon is used to having a
"governing team and an opposing team," stressing that he will neither interfere
the election of the new speaker nor the naming of the next prime minister. Sfeir,
in an interview with Quds al-Arabi magazine, said the premiership and
speakership nominations are not his business.
He did not wish to go into the issue of the speakership nominations. "It's up to
the lawmakers to decide. Whoever the MPs choose would be the best candidate," he
said, adding that the same thing goes for the premiership. Beirut, 21 Jun 09,
18:00
Mousavi Defiantly Calls For Continued Protests
Naharnet/Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and a popular reformist
former president are boldly defying the country's supreme leader by supporting
continued protests of a disputed presidential election, but it was unclear
Monday whether protesters would dare to continue massive demonstrations after a
bloody crackdown.
"The country belongs to you ... protesting lies and fraud is your right,"
Mousavi, who claims hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election through fraud,
said in a statement on his Web site. The statement flies in the face of
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate power in Iran and who last week said
the claimed landslide victory of Ahmadinejad was valid.
Echoing Mousavi, former president Mohammad Khatami said in a statement that
"protest in a civil manner and avoiding disturbances in the definite right of
the people and all must respect that." But aside from the bold words, the
opposition on Monday appeared to be scrambling for a strategy to continue the
momentum of the protests that have riveted world attention without putting its
supporters in peril. At least 10 people were killed in clashes Saturday between
demonstrators and police and the feared Basij militia. Police said Monday that
457 people were arrested that day alone, without saying how many have been
arrested throughout the week of turmoil. Official figures say 17 people have
died in the week of unrest. But searing images posted online — including
gruesome video purporting to show the fatal shooting of a teenage girl — hint
the true casualty toll may be higher in the clashes with police and the feared
Basij militia. Mousavi's Web site on Monday called for supporters to turn on
their car lights in the late afternoon as a sign of protest — a somewhat muted
response compared with the recent enormous gatherings.
Also Monday, the Guardian Council, which agreed last week to investigate some,
voting complaints, said irregularities were found in 50 constituencies, but that
this has no effect on Ahmadinejad's win. Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei
was quoted on the state TV Web site as saying that its probe showed more votes
were cast in these constituencies than there were registered voters, but this
"has no effect on the result of the elections."
The acknowledgment of the irregularities was unlikely to mollify the opposition,
who allege massive and systematic fraud. Khatami said "taking complaints to
bodies that are required to protect people's rights, but are themselves subject
to criticism, is not a solution" -- effectively accusing the Council of
collusion in vote fraud.
Journalists for foreign media have been put under tight restrictions and
assessing the extent of the protests and violence is difficult.
The government has intensified a crackdown on independent media — expelling a
BBC correspondent, suspending the Dubai-based network Al-Arabiya and detaining
at least two local journalists for U.S. magazines.
English-language state television said an exile group known as the People's
Mujahedeen had a hand in the street violence and broadcast what it said were
confessions of British-controlled agents in an indication that the government
was ready to crack down even harder.
The Foreign Ministry on Monday lashed out at foreign media and Western
governments, with ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi accusing them of "a racial
mentality that Iranians belong to the Third World."
"Meddling by Western powers and international media is unacceptable," he said at
a news conference shown on state TV, taking particular aim at French President
Nicolas Sarkozy.
"How can a Western president, like the French president, ask for nullification
of Iranian election results?" Qashqavi said. "I regret such comments."
Mousavi, in statements posted Sunday, warned supporters of danger ahead, and
said he would stand by the protesters "at all times." But, he said, he would
"never allow anybody's life to be endangered because of my actions" and called
for pursuing fraud claims through an independent board.
The former prime minister, a longtime loyalist of the Islamic government, also
called the Basij and military "our brothers" and "protectors of our revolution
and regime." He may be trying to constrain his followers' demands before they
pose a mortal threat to Iran's system of limited democracy constrained by Shiite
clerics, who have ultimate authority.
His chances of success within the system would be far higher if he has backers
among those clerics.
In the clearest sign yet of a splintering among the ayatollahs, state media
announced the arrests Sunday of relatives of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani
including his daughter Faezeh, a 46-year-old reformist politician vilified by
hard-liners for her open support of Mousavi.
Rafsanjani's relatives, who state media said were held for their own protection,
were released after a few hours.
Rafsanjani heads the cleric-run Assembly of Experts, which can remove the
supreme leader, the country's most powerful figure. He also chairs the
Expediency Council, a body that arbitrates disputes between parliament and the
un-elected Guardian Council.
Ahmadinejad has accused Rafsanjani and his family of corruption. And the
75-year-old ayatollah was conspicuously absent Friday from an address by the
country's supreme leader calling for national unity and siding with the
president.
That fueled speculation that Rafsanjani, who has made no public comment since
the election, may be working behind the scenes and favoring Mousavi.
Ahmadinejad appeared to be courting his own clerical support. State television
showed him meeting with mullahs at the presidential palace and telling them the
election had demonstrated popular love for the regime.(AP)
Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 12:55
Hundreds Arrested in Violent Iran Clashes
Naharnet/Iranian authorities arrested at least 457 people after violent
post-election clashes that left 10 people dead, state radio reported on Monday,
as the nation's clerical leaders battled to contain the worst crisis since the
Islamic revolution. Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has led a wave of
massive protests over what he says, was a rigged presidential election, remained
defiant as he urged supporters to continue demonstrating but to adopt
"self-restraint."
Iranian state radio, quoting the police, said the mass arrests were made when
demonstrators and security forces clashed on Saturday around the capital's Azadi
Square in violence that left 10 people dead. The streets of Tehran were tense on
Monday but have remained largely quiet since Sunday and there were no immediate
reports of any planned demonstrations. Witnesses said they did not see many
security personnel out on the streets. Mousavi, a post-revolution prime minister
who lost to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by a landslide according to official results
from the June 12 election, told his supporters to continue their protests. "The
revolution is your legacy. To protest against lies and fraud is your right. Be
hopeful that you will get your right and do not allow others who want to provoke
your anger... to prevail," he said on his newspaper website Kalemeh.
But he urged his supporters -- who have adopted his green campaign color -- to
refrain from violence and show self-restraint. "The nation belongs to you," he
said on a statement.
The foreign media has been barred from covering the demonstrations as part of
tight new restrictions on their work since the upheaval began.
A total of 17 people have been killed and many more wounded, according to state
media, while hundreds of protestors as well as prominent reformists, journalist
and analysts have been rounded up in the post-election turmoil.
World leaders have voiced mounting alarm over the unrest, which has jolted the
pillars of the Islamic regime and raised concerns over the future of the Shiite
Muslim powerhouse, the fourth largest oil producer in the world. Iranian leaders
have lashed out at "meddling" by Western nations, and taken the foreign media
and the exiled opposition to task.
The Guardians Council, the electoral watchdog has said it was ready to conduct a
random recount of 10 percent of votes.
Independent British think tank Chatham House said the election results show
"irregularities" in the turnout and "highly implausible" swings to Ahmadinejad,
according to an analysis published on Sunday. There would have to have been a
radical shift in rural voting patterns and a "highly unlikely" change of heart
among former reformist voters for Ahmadinejad to win as he did, the study
concluded.
Ahmadinejad, who had put Iran on a collision course with the West during his
first four-year term with his anti-Israeli tirades and defiant stance on the
country's nuclear drive, was declared the victor with 63 percent of the vote. On
Sunday, he bluntly told the United States and Britain to stop interfering while
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki accused London of plotting for the past two
years to sabotage the election.
"By making hasty comments, you will not have a place in the circle of the
Iranian nation's friends. Therefore, I recommend you to correct your interfering
positions," Ahmadinejad said.
In his latest comments on Saturday, U.S. President Barack Obama, who has
appealed for dialogue with Tehran after three decades of severed ties, urged
Iran to stop "all violent and unjust actions". Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the
Senate Intelligence Committee, said: "It is very crucial, as I see it, that we
not have our fingerprints on this. That this really is truly inspired by the
Iranian people." "We don't know where this goes. And I sure wouldn't want to be
responsible for thousands of people being killed, which is a distinct
possibility."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband rejected the charges that protesters
were being "manipulated or motivated" by foreign countries and denounced what he
said were Iran's effort to turn the election dispute into a "battle" with the
outside world. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner condemned what he called
"this brutal repression" while President Nicolas Sarkozy told Qatar's QNA news
agency that the attitude of the Iranian authorities was "inexcusable".
Iranian authorities have cracked down on the foreign media.
Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari who was working for Newsweek was detained
without charge and not been heard of since, the magazine said.
The BBC's permanent correspondent in Tehran has been ordered to leave within 24
hours and the authorities warned the British media of further action if the
"interference" continues.
Dubai-based television channel Al-Arabiya said its Tehran bureau had been
ordered to remain closed indefinitely for "unfair reporting" of the election.
Mousavi on Saturday fired off an unprecedented criticism of supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after police clashed with thousands of protesters who
defied an ultimatum from Khamenei for an end to their street rallies. Khameini
on Friday ruled out any election fraud and warned that opposition leaders would
be responsible for "blood, violence and chaos" if there was no end to
protests.(AFP) Beirut, 22 Jun 09, 10:04
Newsweek Journalist Arrested in Iran
Naharnet/A Canadian journalist working in Iran for Newsweek magazine was
detained without charge by Iranian authorities Sunday, the magazine said, adding
that Maziar Bahari had not been heard from since. "Newsweek strongly condemns
this unwarranted detention, and calls upon the Iranian government to release him
immediately," the New York-based weekly news magazine said in a statement.
It said Bahari, who has been living and covering Iran for the past decade, was
"detained without charge by Iranian authorities and has not been heard from
since." "Mr Bahari's coverage of Iran, for Newsweek and other outlets, has
always been fair and nuanced, and has given full weight to all sides of the
issues. He has worked well with different administrations in Tehran, including
the current one," it said. The statement noted that as many as 20 journalists
and bloggers are reported to have been detained since Iran's June 12 elections,
which set off mass protests after official results gave incumbent President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a landslide victory. "The seizure of innocent journalists is
a violation of the right to a free press in Iran," the magazine said. "Newsweek
asks that world governments use whatever influence they have with the government
in Tehran to make clear that this detention is unwarranted and unacceptable, and
to demand Mr. Bahari's release." Iranian authorities have restricted foreign
media coverage of street protests in Tehran, blaming the United States, Britain
and the western media for unrest in which at least 17 people have been killed
over the past week. On Sunday, the Iranian authorities ordered the expulsion
within 24 hours of the BBC correspondent. The latest actions came a day after
U.S. President Barack Obama warned the Iranian government that "the world is
watching." "The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected,
and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights," Obama
said Saturday.(AFP) Beirut, 21 Jun 09, 21:34
Iran… What Should President
Obama Do?
21/06/2009
By Tariq Alhomayed
Asharq Al-Awsat
Voices in Washington criticizing the US President's silence over what is
happening in Iran have begun to grow louder, and a group of writers,
intellectuals, and some members of Congress have called upon President Obama to
take action against what the Iranian regime is doing to its defenseless
citizens.
What should President Obama do?
The answer: nothing! That's right, [nothing] because the Iranian regime is eager
for any US interference – whether this interference is correct [or not] - in
order to tie the just demands made by a broad swath of the Iranian people with
working for foreign powers.
The Iranian regime is in a difficult position and senses the seriousness of its
internal and external position, this is why the regime is under pressure and
strain however any US interference, particularly from the US President, would
only serve the interests of the Supreme Leader of Iran, and [President Mahmoud]
Ahmadinejad's government.
The Iranian scene is divergent, and the demonstrations that are taking place in
Iran stem from long-standing internal divisions; they are not an organized
movement, or the result of a well planned opposition. [Mir Hossein] Moussavi is
not a historic leader, but he is a leader who has caused a historic division in
Iran. Therefore any impulsive statement or action taken by the US President
[with regards to Iran] will only serve to protect the Iranian regime, and weaken
the peaceful demonstrations that are taking place in the streets. It would be
far more effective if action is taken internationally by way of international
organizations that will provide help in conveying the repressed Iranian voice.
What is taking place in Iran today is both important and serious; nobody must
think that what is happening is a film that will end in one hour or even one
year, rather what is taking place will be a long journey, but it will end – as
we have said repeatedly – with a different Iran. What is happening today in
Tehran is a struggle; it is an open battle for power between the [opposing]
pillars of the regime. This coincides with public restlessness at poor economic
conditions, lack of basic freedoms, and the regime repressing the people either,
in the name of God, or as a result of the internal situation.
The power struggle in Iran is taking place in the open, and has yet to be
resolved; however any resolution [to this] will only be temporary. For when this
battle spreads into the very foundations of the Iranian regime, the winners may
become losers. This conflict is not taking place for the sake of excluding one
leader or another from the Iranian [political] scene, the issue is far greater
than this, and today both the Wali Al Faqih and the legitimacy of the Iranian
regime are at stake. This is proven by the fact that a large portion of the
population [have taken to the streets], choosing against exporting the Islamic
revolution, and going to war with the rest of the world.
Therefore [foreign] intervention today, in the manner of former President George
Bush, will be akin to throwing the Iranian regime a life jacket; this is
something that the regime is anxiously awaiting, and therefore something that
must be avoided. This does not mean there is a lack of compassion and sympathy
towards what the Iranian public is facing, for there will be involvement [by way
of international organizations] but without direct intervention in what is
taking place internally.
What is required now from the international community, and also the Arabs, is to
closely examine the groups who are affiliated to Iran in our region, and study
them peacefully, as these groups have been shocked and stunned [by events in
Iran]. Therefore Hamas, Hezbollah, and certain groups in Iraq must be closely
monitored.
The fact that demonstrators took to the street yesterday and were shot at by
security forces is proof that the regime is facing a great and serious defiance
[from the public], and it is therefore not permissible to allow innocents to
stand defenseless before the Supreme Leader and his regime.
Iran Has Changed
By Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed
Asharq Al- Awsat
21/06/2009
The anxiety that is being felt by pro-Iranian Arab groups like Hezbollah, Hamas,
and others, is clearly articulated in their overstated defense of Ahmadinejad
and their denial of the uprisings seen in Iran. It is only natural for such
groups to be overcome by fear as Iran represents the backbone of their
existence, and whatever affects the regime in Tehran will undoubtedly affect
them twofold.
On the Arab scene, Iran's defenders rushed to desperately defend it in the
media, denying what the rest of the world has clearly seen in terms of hundreds
of thousands of protestors being led by members of the [Iranian] regime itself
[and therefore not influenced by foreign powers]. These Arabs insisted that the
images that we are seeing, and the interpretation of what is happening, is
nothing more than conspiracies, exaggeration, and lies. However in reality the
excuses mentioned above is closer to [describing] their interpretation of what
is happening [in Iran]. These Arabs are either in a state of self-denial,
refusing to believe what is happening in Iran, or they are aware of the truth
but want to paint a different picture for the Arab world, and especially for
their own followers, who must be in a state of shock.
Hezbollah supporters - and I am not talking about its leaders or theorists -
believed as late as yesterday that Iran was unified, and that the leaders of the
Islamic Revolution saw eye to eye. However all of a sudden they began to hear
accusations of treason, treachery, and corruption being leveled [from one side
at another in Iran], and they witnessed a large-scale rebellion [in Tehran].
The pro-Iranian propaganda machine is making a mistake by fabricating lies with
regards to the situation in Iran in an attempt to blind the Arabs. Everybody is
aware that there are problems in Iran, and those wishing to follow up on this
have begun looking for news on Iran in sources that they would not traditionally
use. This is because the traditional partisan media [that they would ordinarily
follow] only presents reassuring news about the Iranian regime; news which casts
doubts on the stories broadcast by other news media.
In the face of this overwhelming flood of facts, images, and first-person
accounts [of the situation in Iran] it is only natural that many would defect to
other news media in search of the truth, especially since the uprising against
Ahmadinejad has lasted this long. This uprising began following the announcement
of his re-election on 12 June and has yet to come to an end.
Regardless of whether Ahmadinejad remains President – which seems more and more
likely – or not, and regardless of whether the opposition stays the course, Iran
has changed, and will increasingly change [away from its current ideology]. This
means that the pro-Iranian propagandists who are concerned over their future and
the future of their groups in the Arab world should think carefully before
speaking.
Without a doubt, the future in Iran is ambiguous. However the Iran of yesterday
will not survive regardless of the outcome of the current events. The unified
Iran, with regards to a unified regime, a unified public, and a unified
ideology, is over. The hardliners will not be able – even if they remain in
power – to ignore the large portion of society which has rejected and protested
against their ideology, and this includes their foreign policy strategy.
The opposition has criticized Ahmadinejad on every single issue, until he had no
choice but to bring up the issue of the Holocaust. In a televised debate with
Ahmadinejad, Sheikh Mehdi Karrubi condemned this, and said "What good will it do
to engage in this old controversy that only serves to harm Iranian interests?"
Moreover, the Iranians are now boldly speaking out against the squandering of
the Iranian public's money on Hezbollah and Hamas projects, especially as Hamas
only spends their money on fighting [rival Palestinian group] Fatah. This is not
to mention the Houthi militia in Northern Yemen and other groups [that Iran
helps to finance].
The opposition in Iran may not be solely motivated by politics, but also as a
result of the strictness of Iranian society. The Iranian citizen can no longer
accept sharing his daily bread with a handful of individuals in power who use
this to fulfill their ambitions, regardless of whether Ahmadinejad or Moussavi
is President.
British Official and
Hezbollah Deputy Hold Meeting
21/06/2009
By Raghida Bahnam
Asharq Al-Awsat
London, Asharq Al-Awsat-Almost three months after Britain announced it would
pursue a more open policy toward the political wing of Hezbollah; the first
public meeting took place last Thursday between the two sides. British
Ambassador to Lebanon Frances Mary Guy visited Hezbollah Deputy Muhammad Raid in
his office in parliament in central Beirut. It was the first meeting at this
level between the two sides.
A Hezbollah official asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting was held at
Britain's request while a British Foreign Office source said the timing after
the elections was a coincidence and that the two sides had agreed to hold a
meeting some time ago but did not have the time for this until now and referred
to Hezbollah's preoccupation with the preparations for the elections. The
British official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting was held to review
viewpoints and the discussions dealt with the internal Lebanese situations and
focused on three specific points: The Lebanese elections, the expectations about
forming the future government, and Security Council Resolution 1701(which calls
for disarming Hezbollah). The official said the last clause in Resolution 1701
is what interests Britain most in the three points that were discussed. It added
that the British ambassador specifically stressed her country's viewpoint
concerning this resolution and called for its full implementation.
The UN Security Council issued the resolution at the end of the July 2006 war
between Israel and Hezbollah which ended the war. It called on the Lebanese
state to impose its authority on all Lebanese territories and also called on all
the armed forces in Lebanon outside the state's framework to hand over their
weapons.
The British Foreign Office official did not confirm whether the two sides agreed
to hold more meetings but Raid, who usually represents Hezbollah's Secretary
General Hassan Nasrallah at the negotiating tables held in Lebanon in the
presence of leaders, said this meeting "might constitute the prelude for other
meetings" and pointed out that "the doors are open to this."
The British official denied yesterday that the talks with Raid dealt with any
external issues and stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Britain did not raise the
issue of British hostages in Iraq.
I'm Going to Demonstrate, Wish me Luck!
20/06/2009
By Diana Mukkaled
Asharq Al-Awsat
On the Twitter website - which is one of the latest social networking websites
to appear on the internet - an Iranian national prior to joining in the protests
against Ahmadinejad's election victory posted the following message. "It is
worth the risk. We are going. I will be unable to update my webpage until I
return. Once again, thank you for your kind support…wish me luck!"
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to Tehran's streets to protest against
Ahmadinejad's election victory, while thousands of others logged onto internet
websites and social networking sites in order to co-ordinate with each other,
and the outside world that was following up on events minute-by-minute. The
Iranians that were protesting in the streets, and those protesting in the
virtual world, were the source of the events that were taking place throughout
the country.
The modern tools of communication allowed the Iranians to record their own
experiences and opinions during this critical moment in the history of Iran. The
authorities attempted to tighten their grip around the traditional media by
expelling and banning news correspondents, cutting off telephone communication,
and blocking some television channels and internet websites. However the extent
to which global communication has made it difficult to control and monitor is
now apparent. Iranians across the country were updated on what was going on via
a variety of sources, to the extent that news from the capital was circulated in
the cities of Esfahan, Ahvaz, and Zahedan, where local citizens took to the
rooftops to chant slogans supporting the demonstrations in Tehran.
It is necessary to monitor everything that is happening on the streets of Iran.
The young men and women, what they look like and the slogans that they are
chanting, their clashes with the police who are attempting to arrest them; all
of this must be monitored. This all takes place amidst a strange atmosphere, as
the Iranian authorities have exercised a ban on photography, and have censored a
number of reports on the angry demonstrations that are taking place throughout
Tehran.
However, despite the media blackout a large quantity of images and news reports
found their way across the entire world.
How foolish and useless the decision to implement a media blackout was,
particularly in light of the proliferation of non-traditional means of
communication, which is something that the Iranian public is utilizing more
expertly than the regime and the world could ever have expected. Therefore the
attempt to control the public and the political scene by controlling the
traditional media can no longer be applied.
This large human tide [in Iran] cannot accept that that their desire for change
has been aborted by Ahmadinejad's re-election. The demonstrators waved green
flags in order to declare their support of Mir Hossein Moussavi, the opposition
candidate who questioned the integrity of the electoral results. However in
reality, these demonstrations do not lie in siding with Moussavi, but rather in
objecting to Ahmadinejad and the undoing of Iran's image in recent years as a
result of Ahmadinejad's policies and positions, which almost destroyed the
country.
The Iranians took to the streets and held on tight to their mobile phones,
cameras, and computers.
The odds on a radical change are not good, but what is more important is that
this scene is being seen viewed from a number of different angles and by a
variety of different sources.
Iran arrests hundreds in
clashes
Tehran (AFP) - Iranian authorities arrested at least 457 people after
post-election clashes that left 10 people dead, state radio reported on Monday,
as the nation's clerical leaders battled to contain the worst crisis since the
Islamic revolution.
Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has led a wave of massive protests
over what he says was a rigged presidential election, remained defiant as he
urged supporters to continue demonstrating but to adopt "self-restraint."
Iran's electoral watchdog, the Guardians Council, acknowledged of vote
discrepancies, saying its preliminary investigation revealed that the number of
ballots cast in 50 districts exceeded the number of eligible voters.
Iranian state radio, quoting the police, said the mass arrests were made when
demonstrators and security forces clashed on Saturday around the capital's Azadi
square in violence that left 10 people dead.
The streets of Tehran were tense on Monday but have remained largely quiet since
Sunday and there were no immediate reports of any planned demonstrations.
Witnesses said they did not see many security personnel out on the streets.
Mousavi, a post-revolution prime minister who lost to incumbent Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad by a landslide according to official results from the June 12
election, told his supporters to continue their protests.
"The revolution is your legacy. To protest against lies and fraud is your right.
Be hopeful that you will get your right and do not allow others who want to
provoke your anger... to prevail," he said on his newspaper website Kalemeh.
But he urged his supporters -- who have adopted his green campaign colour -- to
refrain from violence and show self-restraint, adding: "The nation belongs to
you."
A total of 17 people have been killed and many more wounded, according to state
media, while hundreds of protestors as well as prominent reformists, journalist
and analysts have been rounded up in the post-election turmoil.
World leaders have voiced mounting alarm over the unrest, which has jolted the
pillars of the Islamic regime and raised concerns over the future of the Shiite
Muslim powerhouse, the fourth largest oil producer in the world.
Iranian leaders have lashed out at "meddling" by Western nations, and accused
the foreign media -- already facing tight restrictions on their work -- and the
exiled opposition of fomenting the unrest.
The spokesman for the 12-member Guardians Council, which is considering a
partial recount after the opposition branded the election a "shameful fraud" and
called for a new vote, acknowledged some discrepancies on polling day.
Abbasali Kadkhodai said that in 50 out of the total 366 electoral districts,
there were more votes cast than eligible voters.
The defeated candidates have complained that this occurred in up to 170
districts, and have listed a total of 646 irregularities.
British think-tank Chatham House said the results showed "irregularities" in the
turnout and "highly implausible" swings to Ahmadinejad, according to an analysis
published on Sunday.
There would have to have been a radical shift in rural voting patterns and a
"highly unlikely" change of heart among former reformist voters for Ahmadinejad
to win as he did, the study concluded.
Ahmadinejad, who had put Iran on a collision course with the West during his
first four-year term with his anti-Israeli tirades and defiant stance on the
country's nuclear drive, was declared the victor with 63 percent of the vote.
But in a sign of the divisions emerging among senior Iranian figures over the
vote, parliament speaker Ali Larijani said: "A large portion of the people
perceived the election result to be different to the one officially announced.
This perception must be respected."
Mousavi on Saturday fired off an unprecedented criticism of supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has ruled out any election fraud and warned that
opposition leaders would be responsible for "blood, violence and chaos" if there
was no end to protests.
On Sunday, Ahmadinejad bluntly told the United States and Britain to stop
interfering while Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki accused London of plotting
for the past two years to sabotage the election.
"By making hasty comments, you will not have a place in the circle of the
Iranian nation's friends.
Therefore, I recommend you to correct your interfering positions," Ahmadinejad
said.
Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the US Senate Intelligence Committee, backed
President Barack Obama's cautious response to the turmoil, saying: "It is very
crucial, as I see it, that we not have our fingerprints on this."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband rejected the charges that protesters
were being "manipulated or motivated" by foreign nations and denounced what he
said were Iran's effort to turn the election dispute into a "battle" with the
outside world.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner condemned what he called "this brutal
repression" while President Nicolas Sarkozy told Qatar's QNA news agency that
the attitude of the Iranian authorities was "inexcusable".
In the latest crackdown on the media, Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari of
Newsweek has been detained without charge and not been heard of since, the
magazine said.
The BBC's permanent correspondent in Tehran has been ordered to leave and the
authorities warned the British media of further action if the "interference"
continues.
Dubai-based television channel Al-Arabiya said its Tehran bureau had been
ordered to remain closed indefinitely for "unfair reporting" of the election.