Iran Azeris protest over cartoon (Another protest by Azeris on Saturday. Anger still strong.)

BBC News ^ | 2006 May 28 | Matthew Collin

[Wiz]

There have been demonstrations in several parts of north-west Iran, with thousands of ethnic Azeris protesting at a newspaper cartoon. Azeris said the cartoon, which was published earlier this month, compared them to cockroaches.

Reports from the cities of Ardebil, Naqadeh and Meshkin Shahr say Iranian security forces fired on demonstrators, killing at least five people.

Dozens of others were injured and hundreds arrested.

The cartoon was published in a state-owned newspaper.

It showed a succession of people attempting to talk to a cockroach in Persian.

Each time, the insect responded by saying, in Azeri: "What do you mean?"

Azeris are the largest ethnic minority in Iran, and the cartoon caused outrage among those who believed it suggested that all Azeris were stupid.

Thousands of people took to the streets in protest and, shortly afterwards, the newspaper was shut down and its editor arrested.

[Wiz]

Another protest was reported Saturday, indicating the tension is still high, and anger of Azeris remain strong.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

The cockroach is the one running the country.

[Wiz]

Related news:Iran Focus - Government forces kill six in north-west Iran riots

Azeris are uprising against the regime. 25% of Iran's population sure should be a great fear for the regime. Synchronized riots in Tehran may overwork the Iranian security force doing more damage to the regime, and more chance of success in fall of the regime.

[Cindy]

on the net...

OSINT.INTERNET-HAGANAH.com (CAUCAZ.com) - (Baku, 25 March 2006 - BakuToday): "AL-QAEDA RECRUITING AZERI GIRLS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Al Qaeda terror cell is trying to recruit Azeri girls to carry out suicide attacks, the National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov has said. The persons supposedly being drawn to join such extremist groups include believers from low-income families, religious students or the unemployed aged between 20 and 25, Mahmudov told Russian Interfax news agency.") (March 30, 2006) (Read More...)

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.truthusa.com/MoreThanCartoons.html

[Joe Boucher]

If an inocuous cartoon enrages these mooslimbs, the bastards down't EVEN want to know how I insult them and their religoin of peace.

[Northern Alliance]

Are these guys into suicide bombing? If so, let's get 'em some vests and send them into Tehran!

[sgtbono2002]

The Cockroach is the National pest of Mexico isnt it?

La CuckaRocha is apt for Mexico. Somebody down there must have turned on the light because the whole country is scurrying up to USA and infesting it.

[Wiz]

Iranian Azeris are mostly Shiites, which are claimed infidels by Al Qaida.

[Cindy]

Thanks Wiz for the info.

[Wiz]

Read this article below for more about the position of Al Qaeda in Azerbijan, and the trends of Azeris. This article claims Azeris consider themselves secular. It also mentions 75-80% of the population is Shiite. Azerbijan probably fears influence more from Iran that Sunni dominated Al Qaida that views Shiite as infidels.

Al-Qaeda in Azerbaijan: Myths and Realities

[Cindy]

Thank you Wiz.