White House to Iran: Allow Opposition Demonstrations There

[tekisui]

Source: The Hill

The White House said Saturday that, off the heels of 18 days of Egyptian protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, Iran should allow its people to demonstrate.

Tehran had praised Egyptians for rising up against Mubarak's secular government, calling it an Islamic awakening. Yet some trace the roots of the grass-roots, social-media-driven revolt in Egypt to the Green Revolution protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's last election and demanding democracy.

Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroub, both candidates in that election, wanted to stage a rally Monday in support of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. But the regime quickly put a damper on the permit request, calling the rallies "riots by seditionists."

"By announcing that they will not allow opposition protests, the Iranian government has declared illegal for Iranians what it claimed was noble for Egyptians," National Security Adviser Tom Donilon said in a statement released by the White House on Saturday.

more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/143693-white-house-to-iran-allow-opposition-demonstrations-there

[elias49]

1. Democracy idealized.

As much as I applaud the recent events in Egypt, I clap with one hand. Because what's happening more broadly, it seems, is a general destabilization of the ME. Which is exactly what the Project for a New American Century called for.
I just don't know where this is going to end up.
Does anyone?

[polichick]

2. Wonder if they'll welcome our revolution when it finally comes...

Or if they'll stand with the corporate masters.

[dipsydoodle]

3. US trying to tell another country what to do for a change.

:sarcasm:

.......especially given the US isn't always exactly a shining example itself.

[geek tragedy]

6. The US is ten million times better than Iran when it comes to freedom of expression

and political freedom. We don't debate whether or not to allow opposition protests here.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

4. On this occasion the US response is spot on.

The Iranian government is not just a right-wing bogeyman; it really is spectacularly unpleasant, violent and represive.

[whosinpower]

5. I agree

And am ready to cheer on the Iranian youth who would make a call for democracy in Iran. It is funny, in a sad ironic sort of way - Khamenai makes a grand statement that says the awakening of the islamic revolution is beginning and praises Egypt.....and then slams to door shut to its own people who wish to rally in support of Egypt.

This time it is critical that the West stand together with the youth. If Iran falls......well...three weeks ago, I would never have thought that Mubarek would leave....I will say it openly....if Iran falls....then all bets are off and a great transformation of the entire Middle East is in play. And we can credit, not the Koran, or the bible, or the Torah.....or the repressive backward autocratic regimes....we can credit the youth, who want more from their government than fear and repression.

And, if Iran falls.....then the revolution will find itself on the Kingdom's door - demanding entry. Saudi Arabia.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

7. Not sure I agree with the "stand together" part.

As I understand it (I'm in no way an expert) even most of the Iranian opposition is anti-US, as are most of the people they might hope to win over; I'm not convinced that the US or its allies supporting them would do them more harm than good, sadly.

[whosinpower]

8. When the green revolution occured

Obama was very cautious with his statements regarding this. He has been criticized for not taking a more firm stand against the authorities who were cracking down. Acording to some - he dropped the ball - so to speak, that this was a ripe opportunity for historic change, and was lost.

It is a difficult position to be in - if the West is silent - does that mean approval of what the authorities did....and if the West speaks up - does that mean foreign interference?

[FrenchieCat]

9. You have your answer......

If we are silent, we are not with the people.....and hence the bad guys.
When we take an active role, we are warmongers....and hence the bad guys.

Personally, I think we are playing it right. As esteem in the USA is made real,
the people are standing up, and now they understand that this time, unlike all of the rest,
things might end up for the better....for them.