Posted on 06/21/2009 10:02:38 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
I’ve received what purports to be a statement from Mousavi’s Office in Tehran. Like everyone else covering the revolution, I get a lot of material that can’t be authenticated, and one must always take such material with a healthy dose of skepticism. That said, the person who sent this to me is undoubtedly in touch with the Mousavi people on the ground, that much is certain. His information has been proven reliable throughout this period. So while the following open letter carefully puts distance between the author(s) and Mousavi himself, I am quite sure that at a minimum it accurately reflects the state of mind of the Mousavi people.
So here you go:
From the Office of Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi
To the President of the USA, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama:
Dear Mr. President,
In the name of the Iranian people, we want you to know that when you recently made the statement “Achmadinejad or Mousavi? Two of a kind,” we consider this as a grave and deep insult, not just to Mr. Mousavi but especially against the judgment of the Iranian people, against our moral conviction and intelligence, especially those of the young generation that comprises a population of 31 million.
It is a specially grave insult for those who are now fighting for democracy and freedom, and an unwarranted gift and even praise for Mr. Khamenei, whose security forces are now killing peaceful Iranians in the streets of every major city in the country.
Your statement misled the people of the world. It was no doubt inspired by your hope for dialogue with this regime, but you cannot possibly believe in promises from a regime that lies to its own people and then kills them when they demand the promises be kept.
By such statements, your administration and you discourage the Iranian people, who believe and trust in the values of democracy and freedom. We are pleased to see that you have condemned the regime’s murderous violence, and we look forward to stronger support for the rightful struggle of the Iranian people against the actions of a regime that is your enemy as well as ours.
UPDATE: From Mousavi’s speech on Sunday:
The great participation in this election was, in the first degree, indebted to the efforts for creating hope and trust among the people, to obtain a befitting response to the existing administrative crises and the widespread social dissatisfaction, whose accumulation can target the bedrock of the Revolution and the Regime. If this good faith and trust coming from the people is not answered by protecting their votes, or the people can not react in a civil and peaceful way to defend their rights, there will be dangerous pathways ahead, responsibility for which lies with those who can’t stand peaceful behaviors.
If the high volume of cheating and vote manipulation, that has put a fire to the foundations of people’s trust, is itself introduced as the proof and evidence of the lack of fraud, the republicanism of the regime will be slaughtered and the idea of incompatibility of Islam and republicanism would be practically proven.
UPDATE II: Mousavi has called for a general strike on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the regime is now rounding up Rafsanjani family members. As Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi tells us:
fyi
“Your statement misled the people of the world. It was no doubt inspired by your hope for dialogue with this regime, but you cannot possibly believe in promises from a regime that lies to its own people and then kills them when they demand the promises be kept.”
Hmmmmmmmm...they don’t get who this Mutt is yet...they think Bammy is being “fooled” by the regime...
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5. Professor Guvinoff:
Mr. Obama has waited an awful long time before saying anything in unequivocal support of the insurrection. Whatever his reasons were, each US citizen will decide for himself or herself whether this attitude was a good reflection of their own personal convictions.
Personally, I think the supposedly wise reserve was misguided, for many reasons, the most important one being the fact that this show of courage and determination of the Iranian people is in great part a result of Mr. Bush’s efforts to bring personal freedom and government responsibility in the Middle East. First the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan, then Iraq, then positive movement in Lybia and Lebanon, and now, revolution in Iran!
The war on terror is real, and the people of Iran are its brave soldiers right now, God bless them! This war benefited from American leadership, and can be rendered more difficult by lapses of American leadership, but cannot be stopped!Jun 20, 2009 - 6:08 pm
Did Obama actually say this? Although it's actually a fairly accurate statement (this thing has very little, if anything, to do with Mousavi), it's a fairly stupid thing to say, as it looks like indifference. Still, I haven't seen this statement anywhere else (and a quick google search turns up nothing), so I wonder if Obama actually said it...
I saw an article in which Obama said that they basically have the same policies.
“Achmadinejad or Mousavi? Two of a kind,”
Did Obama actually say this? “
Paraphrase or poor translation...looks like they are saying the same thing...
http://sicilian1.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/sicilian1-iran-and-obamas-reaction/
“The difference between Achmadinejad and Mousavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as has been advertised……Either way we are going to be dealing with an Iranian regime that has historically been hostile to the United States.” Said president Obama to CNBC this past Tuesday.
Either way we are going to be dealing with an Iranian regime that has historically been hostile to the United States.” Said president Obama to CNBC this past Tuesday.
You know, finally Obama got one right. Should the protesters form a government, they probably will be hostile to this government (administration).
“Either way we are going to be dealing with an Iranian regime that has historically been hostile to the United States.”
This depends...by all reports I am reading this has morphed into a new deal (sorry about the phrase - no offense to dictators) for the Iranians...even so, I don’t think it is entirely fair to say there is HISTORIC proof of this new regime’s hostility any more than it would be safe to say no difference between Reagan and Bush, both historically Republicans...
“Either way we are going to be dealing with an Iranian regime that has historically been hostile to the United States.”
VERY TRUE. But that is what can happen in a democracy. Heck - look at our recent election! At least when the Iranians are hostile towards America they have limited reach, but when it is your own president....
Nationwide strike during the day. Guerrilla sabotage at night.
How about this from George W. Bush inaugural speech:
“Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:
All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.”
Can we have him back please?
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