Iran's Rulers Fear the People
August 16, 2004
Voice of America
Editorial
The following is an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:
Like despotic rulers everywhere, the extremist Muslim clerics who run Iran consider the people their greatest enemy. That is why, says U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Iran’s rulers are worried about the movement toward democracy in Iraq:
“They’re aware that trends in Iraq toward a government that would be democratic, that would not be theocratic, like the Iranian regime -- would be Islamic, but not theocratic -- would expose some of the weaknesses of the Iranian regime. I think they fear nothing more; the mullahs fear nothing more than their own people, and they fear nothing more, therefore, than when the voices of the people of the Middle East start to be heard by their governments, that the Iranian people are going to demand the same.”
Through such means as the Voice of America and the new Radio Farda, says President George W. Bush, the U.S. is bringing the message of freedom to the people of Iran:
“There is a significant diaspora here in the United States of Iranian-Americans who long for their homeland to be liberated and free. We’re working with them to send messages to their loved ones and their relatives. . . . And one method -- and very overt, I might add -- we’ve got radio broadcasts, a new radio broadcast system, going into Iran, say[ing], ‘Listen, we hear your voice, we know you want to be free, and we stand with you in your desire to be free.’”
In addition, the determination of the U.S. to help Iraq become democratic, says Mr. Bush, sends “a clear message to people in Iran”:
“. . .that freedom is possible. In other words, there are reformers and people who want to be free watching carefully as to whether or not this country [the U.S.], which is the beacon of freedom, is strong enough not to wilt when the pressure gets significant.”
“By serving the ideal of liberty,” says President Bush, “we’re bringing hope to others, and that makes our country more secure. . . . Free nations do not export terror. Free nations enhance the dreams of their citizens. Free nations are peaceful nations.”
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Iran will go ahead with N-programme’
TEHRAN: Iran is determined to proceed with its nuclear programme despite international concern, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has insisted, the state news agency IRNA reported on Monday.
“The Islamic republic will continue on the reasonable path which will result in the peaceful use of nuclear energy without concerning itself about all this fuss and bother,” Khamenei told Iranian ambassadors at a meeting in Tehran on Sunday, the agency said. “But the means of winning their confidence must be based on reason,” he added. He also recalled the outraged reaction in the West to the news that Iran was to resume manufacturing of parts for centrifuges to enrich uranium, underlining that such production “does not contravene any (international) agreement”. afp
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-8-2004_pg4_9