White House reiterates demand that Iran allow protests

[babsbunny]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/12/white-house-reiterates-demand-iran-protests/

By Agence France-Presse
Saturday, February 12th, 2011 -- 9:23 pm

A senior White House official on Saturday criticized Iran's refusal to let opponents of the regime hold a rally in support of Arab uprisings.

"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 Advisor Tom Donilon said in a statement.

"We call on the government of Iran to allow the Iranian people the universal right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate and communicate that's being exercised in Cairo," he added.

Iran's Islamic government said the proposed rally is a ploy for fresh anti-government protests, similar to those in 2009 following the disputed reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It described the request for the rally as "illegal."

[ladjf]

1. I think that it is a major diplomatic blunder for the White House to

attempt to encourage protests. Nothing but negative could result from that. If the Iranian people are dissatisfied with their government, they will do what they feel that they have to do. But,for the U.S. the chime in, it gives the Iranian Govt. the excuse to claim that the entire episode was caused by outside influence.