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| Axis of Evil |
| Bush urges reform in Iran |
| 2002-07-13 |
| President George W. Bush urged Tehran Friday to abandon "uncompromising, destructive policies" and pledged that a reforming, modernizing Iran would have "no better friend" than the United States. "As we have witnessed over the past few days, the people of Iran want the same freedoms, human rights, and opportunities as people around the world. Their government should listen to their hopes," he said in a statement. Bush said that a "vast majority" of Iranian voters "voted for political and economic reform" in recent presidential, parliamentary and local elections. "Yet their voices are not being listened to by the unelected people who are the real rulers of Iran. Uncompromising, destructive policies have persisted," said the US leader. Bush cited repression of students, journalists and lawmakers who push for reform or criticize the regime; suppression of media; and rampant joblessness that drives "talented students and professionals" out of Iran. Just a little nudge — can't get too deeply involved at this stage, or it allows the theocrats to paint all the domestic unrest as a product of "outside parties"... Followup: Iranian state radio on Saturday denounced US President George W. Bush's "open interference" in the Islamic state's internal affairs after the US head of state urged Tehran to abandon its destructive policies. "How does Mr Bush, who has no legitimacy back home, allow himself to openly interfere in Iran's affairs and speak of reforms," the radio said in a first reaction to the US president's comments Friday. "Americans have until now been careful not to directly interfere in our affairs, but this is flagrant (interference)," it said. See what I mean? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |