Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Iran Early Bird

Election Unrest

· Authorities secretly bury Tehran University fatalities (1); but officially deny deaths (2)

· Fatalities and unrest in various Iranian cities (3):

o Police admitSeven Iranians killed during clashes in Tehran (a)

o Harsh clashes in Shiraz (b)

o Demonstrations in Kerman, southern Iran (c)

o Two possible fatalities in Turk minority city, Orouyime (d)

· Ahmadinejad demonstrate and prepare for “bloody clashes” with Reformists (4)
Artists, doctors and medical staff join protest (5)

· Prominent political figures arrested (6)

· Western media slapped with ban (7)

· Letter circulating among Iranian citizens: True election results place Mousavi first and Ahmadinejad third (8)

· IRCG vigorously denies Supreme Leader’s implied allegation of intervention in elections (9)

· Possible selective and partial recount (10)

· Khamenei’s son meets with students, calls for commission of inquiry; while Khamane’i’s close advisor reportedly convenes with henchman on ways to quell unrest (11, 12)

· Two prominent clerics side with Reformists (13, 14)

· Shiraz University president resigns (16)

Political and Diplomatic Affairs

· FM spokesman: Israel is root cause of all problems in the Middle East; the only solution to the conflict is to hold a referendum in which all the original people of Palestine take part (19)

· IRGC mouthpiece makes predictions about future dealings of the United States against Iran's nuclear program (20)















Full Report



Aftermath of Elections



1. Authorities secretly bury Tehran University fatalities – Reports from Tehran say that Iranian authorities have secretly buried the bodies of demonstrators killed at Tehran University. Enquiries from families have failed to reveal any information on the matter. Meanwhile, according to reports from last night, five students at Tehran University were killed by security forces on the campus. The university’s president, however, has rejected the reports, commenting that no students were killed.

2. Tehran University authorities: No student was killed in the dormitory – According to a statement issued by Tehran University: “Following the publication of news reports regarding the death of five students in the Tehran University Dormitory incident, it is hereby announced to the dear Iranian nation, students and academics that the news is a sheer lie. As stated in the previous announcements of Tehran University, at this sensitive juncture, it is important that the students should remain aware and university chancellors should maintain security and protect the health of students. In order to stand against the psychological war launched by the enemies and ill-wishers of our dear country, we should be vigilant.” (Mehr News Agency, June 16)

3. Fatalities during unrest in various Iranian cities:

a. Deputy Commander of the law enforcement authorities in Tehran: Seven Iranians killed during clashes in Azadi Street – According to the deputy commander, at the end of a pro-Mousavi Rally in Azadi Street, “a number of villains attacked government and public buildings and residential homes in an organized and coordinated manner and damaged those buildings. The agitators, some of whom were armed, attacked a military centre intending to occupy and disarm the soldiers. In a shootout on both sides unfortunately seven of our compatriots were killed and a number of others were injured. He said that groups of agitators attacked a Maskan Bank branch and a Karafarin Bank branch and set them on fire. The Martyr Fard-Asadi Telecommunication building was also damaged in the attack. The agitators used stones and cement blocks and totally obstructed the flow of traffic… A number of the leaders of the agitators and those involved in damaging public places have been arrested with some explosives and arms on them (Radio Iran, June 16). A civilian-dressed group calling themselves "Devotees of the President" attack Sobhan residential building in Northern Kaveh Boulevard because of the residents answering the call of Mousavi and had shouted "God is Great!"

b. Harsh clashes in Shiraz – Reports from Tuesday night tell of fierce clashes between civilians and security forces in Shiraz. Special security forces, some dressed in civilian clothing, are said to have violently beaten demonstrators, leaving behind many wounded. Eye-witnesses say that a number of demonstrators were killed and that despite the high number of injuries, the events prevented them from being evacuated to hospital. Click here for clip from demonstration in Shiraz at which protesters burned pictures of Ahmadinejad.

c. Unrest in Kerman – Tuesday also saw unrest in the southern province of Kerman, with the commander of the Internal Security forces in the region commenting that most of the demonstrators were incited by foreign television networks broadcasting from outside the country. The commander said his forces had initially asked the demonstrators to disperse quietly and that their refusal to do so had led to the clashes. Security forces used water cannons to disperse the crowds.

d. Orouyime – Reports speak of two fatalities and dozens of arrests during unrest in Orouyime, which is home to a Turkish minority. Eye-witnesses say that security forces attacked demonstrators, killing two and wounding dozens. Dozens more were arrested, they add. Cellular telephone and Internet services are also said to be down in the city.

4. Ahmadinejad supporters demonstrate in Vali Asr Square, prepare for “bloody clashes” with Reformists – According to official websites, Tehran residents who are opposed to the current unrest rallied Tuesday in support of Ahmadinejad, voicing their protest against the demonstrations of the past days. The rally was held in Vali Asr Square – the same place a pro-Mousavi demonstration was set to take place. Reformist websites urged their supporters to refrain from approaching the square in light of warnings about expected fierce clashes and “rivers of blood.” Mousavi supporters thus moved their rally to another part of the city. Mousavi, surrounded by Mohmmad Khatami, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohammadreza Khatami and Gholamhossein Karbaschi, speaking at Monday's rally in Tehran: "We will continue our movement until the election result has been annulled and a new election is held.

5. Artists, doctors join protest - An Iranian artist depicts the camaraderie-meets-chaos of Tehran's rooftops in recent days, adding in Persian that "God is great [indicating what people are shouting on the rooftops at night], lying is bad, guns are bad, bullets are bad. "Doctors and nurses are protesting in a major hospital in Tehran - IranMedical staff at Rasoul Akram Hospital also joined demonstration after admitting 35 casualties from the clashes in Tehran; eight of them subsequently died. The facility’s medical staff demonstrated on Tuesday against the violence in the capital. Doctors and nurses from Firouzgar Hospital in Tehran also staged a protest rally in solidarity with the public. Click here for clip from event. – Video.

6. Prominent arrests:

a. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former head of Khatami’s bureau and a popular blogger – Khatami’s former bureau chief and current advisor to Karroubi, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, was arrested on Tuesday. Abtahi is the writer if a very popular and critical blog in which he described the mood of the street in the wake of the elections. In his previous post, he stressed that the Reformist now know that they cannot implement true change via elections.

b. Prominent reformist figures Behzad Nabavi and Sa'id Hajjarian arrested – Security forces have arrested two more Reformist politicians, Behzad Nabavi and Sa'id Hajjarian (June 16).

c. Political activist in Hamedan – Hosseyn Mojahed, a prominent political activist from Hamedan and secretary-general of the Civil Society Party, was arrested at his home and taken to an unknown location. In addition, some 20 Freedom Movement members were arrested in Tabriz. Reports Tuesday evening also told of the arrest of the movement’s political bureau chief, Mohammad Tavasoli, and Abdoll Fatah Soltani, a member of the Lawyers Association.

7. Western media slapped with ban – The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance declared Tuesday that foreign journalists are not permitted to cover the illegal demonstrations in the country. According to the ministry, demonstrations or rallies that have not been sanctioned by the interior minister are considered illegal.

8. Letter circulating among Iranian citizens: True election results place Mousavi first and Ahmadinejad third – The letter, signed by Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli and addressed to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, is circulating among Iranian citizens from hand-to-hand and through the Internet. According to the letter: “After you voiced concerns regarding the results of the elections for the 10th president, and in light of the fact that you saw it fit for Dr. Ahmadinejad to remain in his post as president at these sensitive times, all matters were planned to ensure that the election results would be conveyed to the public in a manner that would best serve the interests of the regime and the revolution. Furthermore, all necessary arrangements were made ahead of potential events following the elections, and all the heads of the parties and the candidates are being closely monitored. For your eyes only, the following are the true election results:

a. Total number of voters – 42,026,078

b. Mousavi – 19,075,623

c. Karroubi – 13,387,104

d. Ahmadinejad – 5,698,417

e. Rezaei – 3,754218

f. Rejected votes – 38,716



9. Following the publication of a letter to the Supreme Leader about intervention in the election by a number of Basij commanders and officials from one of the candidates in the 10th election, IRGC General Public Relations, the IRCG has issued a statement vigorously denying this allegation. The statement reads: " IRGC has made every effort in every election to promote enthusiastic and maximum participation by the nation of Iran in the election and to help provide the necessary security for conducting it soundly…For some time in the 10th certain public figures (Probably Musavi –TG), groups, and private media have been conducting propaganda and heavy psychological operations against the IRGC and the Basij... After issuing an official statement (12 May 2009), the IRGC has been obliged to make every effort to get around these dishonorable measures with patience and firmness after seeing the efforts by the people who are seeking to disturb public opinion, create an atmosphere of mistrust, and damage the sacred institutions of the IRGC and the Basij." The IRGC mentioned in it’s statement part of the letter that claimed there is a split between the official IRGC commanders and officials and the sound and honest body of IRGCand Basij forces and emphasized: "It will be better if the gentlemen will concentrate on protecting national resources, the interest of the government, and also the standing and position of the guardianship of the supreme jurisconsult (leader)…He must make available without delay the evidence for the things he claimed in his letter. Otherwise, he must apologize to the noble and wise nation of Iran, the IRGC, and the sincere Basij. The IRGC reserves for itself the right of any kind of lawful prosecution (Fars News Agency June 16). Mouthpiece of the Revolutionary Guard, reacting to Rafsanjani's letter of complaint against Ahmadinejad's accusations against him, devotes a full page quoting opponents of Rafsanjani threatening to disclose many cases of economic corruption.

10. Iran may recount ballot boxes of presidential poll – Iran’s Guardian Council Spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei said that the request of the three presidential candidates for recounting some ballot boxes should be approved by all council members. The representatives of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezaei who took part in the June 12 race had a meeting with some members of the Guardian Council calling for recounting some ballot boxes. The members have currently embraced their offers but the request should be accepted by the council. The results declared by Iran's Interior Ministry are initial results which should be verified by the council within next 7-10 days the council had three days to receive complaints of the candidates. The candidates provided the organization with a report of some voting violations. "We try to study them and declare the result."

11. Police claims they are distinguishing between public and demonstrators – The commander of the Internal Security forces in Esfahan says that the police and security forces are distinguishing between regular civilians and those who are demonstrating and responsible for the unrest. He said the forces would deal harshly with anyone who disturbs the peace.



12. Hadi Khamenei calls for commission of inquiry – Hajat Allasalam Hadi Khamenei, a member of the Constitution Review Committee, called during a meeting with students and young Mousavi supporters for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the election results. According to Khamenei, it is possible to set up an objective commission comprised of representatives of the supreme leader, the candidates, the judicial system and the Majlis. The results of the investigation, he added, must be made known to the public. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Majlis Foreign Affairs and Security Committee said that the panel was looking into the recent events and unrest in conjunction with senior security and intelligence officials.

13. Secret meeting Khamenei’s senior advisor and henchman on how to quell unrest – Opposition websites are reporting that secret meetings have been taking place over the past few days in the basement of the Kayhan daily’s offices between Majlis member Rohallah Hosseynian and the paper’s editor-in-chief Shariatmadari, who has close ties with Iran’s supreme leader. Hosseynian was involved in the political assassinations in the 1980s. The two are said to be discussing ways to quell the unrest.

14. Grand Ayatollah Montazari in a message to the public: The election results are illogical; reliable sources say changes were made to the peoples’ choice – Muntazari called on the Iranian people to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner, despite noting that the election results appear illogical and that according to reliable sources, changes were made to the peoples’ choice. Muntazari said that the same people who confronted the Shah’s tanks and shells barehanded are now doing the same against the current regime’s forces, which are violently attacking innocent men, women and students.

15. Senior cleric Ayatollah Bayat Janati expresses support for Mousavi – Voicing support for Mousavi, senior source of emulation Ayatollah Bayat Janati said that the actions of Mousavi and his supporters can be defined as “Do good and keep away from the indecent and bad” (levels of sin in Islam).

16. Shiraz University president resigns – Mohammad Hadi Sadeqi, the president of Shiraz University, confirmed to reporters that he has resigned his post, adding that he is unable at present to elaborate on the reasons for his decision. Exams at the university have been postponed in light of the ongoing events on the campus.

17. "Big lie of government news agency and Kayhan, why?” – The Abrar newspaper recalls (June 16) that right after the elections, IRNA and Kayhan published figures about the number of votes of candidates in their birth areas. Those figures are different from officially announced figures yesterday. The report asks about the reasons why the two pro-government sources had to present incorrect figures.

18. Tehran bazaar open – The head of the Business Union in Tehran has denied rumors of a strike at the capital’s central bazaar, noting that the bazaar is open and operating as per usual.



Political and Diplomatic Affairs

19. FM spoksman: Israel is root cause of all problems in the Middle East; the only solution to the conflict is to hold a referendum in which all the original people of Palestine take part – Foreign Ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi said following Israel PM Netanyahu’s speech that "The root of the crisis in the Middle East is the (Israeli) occupation and as long as it continues, there can be no solution to the conflict " Iran has insisted that the only solution to the conflict is to hold a referendum in which all the original people of Palestine - be their Muslims, Christians or Jews - take part and that the refugees return to their land so that they can decide about their future”. Qashqavi said Netanyahu's preconditions for recognizing the Palestinian state were “against all international regulations.”

20. IRGC mouthpiece makes predictions about future dealings of the United States against Iran's nuclear program – “Following the announcement of the election result one can make the following conclusions: 1. Official request of the 5+1 Group for a new round of negotiations with presence of Obama's main representative. 2. Obama's requests for direct negotiations with the Iranian president. 3. Engagement requests of American Congressmen to meet with Iranian parliamentarians. 4. Presentation of a new incentive package from the 5+1 Group with cooperation of the United States. 5. Presentation of ideas on enrichment inside Iranian territory with special restrictions."




21. Majlis speaker: The U.S. and EU’s “hasty and irresponsiblereaction” to the recent elections in Iran exposed their true nature, ridicules EU – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said to MPs that under the current circumstances, a number of foreign states took a hasty and irresponsible stances. “There is no need for the Americans to worry about Iran and its elections. Today, you need to worry more about resolving your past political and security messes in the region. It was very fortunate that you were forced to reveal your true face which was hidden behind the mask of the deceitful remarks you (U.S.) made in recent months. After all, some fools in politics had believed that you were honest in uttering your motto of change. Some European countries that are involved in serious problems in resolving their financial issues and in (restoring) their status have hastily and ineptly taken stances over the elections. The Iranian nation threw out of the country some 30 years ago a bigger guardian-like figure than you. Do not assume that you will have a chance for opportunism. It will be enough for you, if you are able, to preserve your unity in the European Union. It has been observed how (little) your leverage is in resolving the Middle East and regional issues. There is no need for you to prepare means for embarrassing yourselves. (MPs chanted: "Death to America") (Iranian TV, June 16). The Javan newspaper urged under the headline “Foreign media and causing a riot " that the meaning of democracy has changed due to the necessities of West's liberal democracy and after unprecedented participation of the people in the elections the foreign media such as BBC Persian, AlArabiya, CNN and Fox News tried to create a riot and take the elections under question (Javan June 16).

22. Iran summons European ambassadors over “malicious stance” and “interference” in Iran's internal affairs; Germany summons Iran's ambassador to criticize crackdown on protesters –Britain ambassador to Tehran was summoned to the Foreign Ministry over the remarks by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Secretary David Miliband about Iran’s presidential election. Iran has strongly denounced the remarks and has asked British officials to stop interfering and rude remarks, the Foreign Ministry said in a report released to the media. Ambassadors of Germany, Italy, France, the Czech republic’s charge d'affaires and the Netherlands were also summoned over their countries rude “interference” in Iran's internal affairs. Germany has summoned Iran's ambassador to criticize the clampdown on protesters.



23. Work on Busheher nuclear plant to be completed soon – Russian company Atomexport, which is in charge of building the Bushehr nuclear plant, has announced that all financial arrangements are in place and that everything is going according to plan and the timetable. The company said all work on the plant would be completed soon.






Domestic Affairs

24. Council of Guardian approves bill on computer crime – The Council of Guardians has announced that it has approved a bill on computer and Internet crime.



Economic Affairs



25. Economics minister off to Vienna – Iran’s economics and finance minister will head to Vienna at the head of delegation including finance officials and Majlis members. The delegation will be attending the annual conference of Opec Fund for International Development.



26. Iran chairs OFID ministerial council - Iran has been elected as the chairman of the OPEC Fund for International Development’s (OFID) ministerial council for the second consecutive year.



27. Fifty foreign companies invest in Arvand free-trade zone – The director of the Arvand free-trade zone has announced that more than 50 foreign companies have invested in the zone, which lies between Abadan and Khoramshahr. The companies, he said, were from China, Italy, Japan, Kuwait and elsewhere, and had invested in the fields of transportation, commerce and production.



28. Iran and Oman may establish a third party to develop Kish gas field – Mahmoud Zirakchianzadeh, National Iranian Offshore Oil Company managing director, said that a number of companies from China and the United Arab Emirates have also requested to take part in the field’s development plan.



29. Iranian gas exports to Turkey suspended for 48 hours – Iran has announced that due to work being carried out on pipelines, gas exports to Turkey have been suspended for 48 hours. The repair work was supposed to be carried out by a foreign company but has been delayed due to the sanctions on Iran.

1 comment:

James Raider said...

The mullahs may have long feared that change would eventually come in reaction to their abuse of the population. Many have moved the proceeds of their pilfering offshore, “just in case.” Some have built themselves Los Angeles and West Vancouver mansions, in anticipation that the gun might eventually not suppress the crowds in Tehran.

The potential for change is directly conditional on the persistence and endurance of the youth filling the streets of Iran. It will be unstoppable if the demonstrations move to the poorer rural regions of the country.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-dawn-for-iran.html

This genie is out of the bottle. Change may be slow in coming, nevertheless, it will come.