Pro-Democracy Rallies Continue in Iran

Yahoo! News ^ | 6/15/03 (4:27pm ET) | Reuters

[Texas_Dawg]

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Gunshots were heard in the early hours of Monday morning near a Tehran university dormitory that has been the focal point of six nights of pro-democracy protests, a Reuters witness said.

Hardline Islamic vigilantes, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles and wearing bullet-proof vests, patrolled the streets near the campus, which were clogged with thousands of cars carrying people trying to take part in the protests.

"I heard three gunshots quite clearly," a Reuters correspondent at the scene said.

"Immediately after the gunshots some of these hard-liners jumped on their motorbikes and headed in the direction of the (sound of the) shots."

The protesters have vented most of their anger at conservative clerics who control the key elements of power in Iran.

But they have also lambasted the reformist government of moderate President Mohammad Khatami and his allies who control parliament, accusing them of failing to deliver change after six years in office.

President Bush has praised the demonstrators, saying on Sunday their protests were a positive step toward freedom.

Iran has accused the United States, its arch-foe, of interfering in its affairs and exaggerating the demonstrations' importance.

[Texas_Dawg]

I wish there was something more we could do to help these kids. I've read their statements from their main website (http://www.iran-daneshjoo.org/), and they are strong supporters of President Bush, very pro-America, and were ecstatic in their praise of the "Axis of Evil" speech.

[sam_paine]

I'm afraid that this is just turning into Tiannamen Part II.

[MEG33]

Thanks for the post.I'm pinging you to more info.

[MEG33]

The army isn't involved..yet.

[McGavin999]

I'm afraid that this is just turning into Tiannamen Part II.

Tiannamen didn't have a couple hundred thousand US soldiers right next door.

[Steel Wolf]

Actually, we had 40k troops not to far from Beijing, been there since the fifties. Your point is well taken, however. The pressure is on Iran no to overreact, as their position is weak and isolated. We're in a position to really put the screws to them, if they blow it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[Ronin]

The Army is not going to come down on the Mullah's side. There has always been a strong dislike for the Army and Air Force by the Theocracy who still remember how long and how strongly they supported the Shah.

They have preferred to build up and trust the Revolutionary Guards -- whom the regular Army hates. I am betting that if the Army goes into action at all, it will be AGAINST the Revolutionary Guards.

[Texas_Dawg]

Thanks.

[Texas_Dawg]

And Bush Jr. is a lot more serious about "regime change" than his father was.

[MEG33]

I hope so.