"The Iranian People Thank You!"
Posted on 10/30/2001 7:09:31 AM PST by Slush
Iran seizes 2,000 protesters, satellite dishes as unrest spreads
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Sunday, October 28, 2001
NICOSIA — Iran has launched a massive crackdown on dissidents and satellite dishes in response to the embarrassing outbreak of nation-wide unrest in support of the United States and democratic reform.
More than 2,000 Iranians were arrested over the weekend in connection with violent demonstrations in several major cities. In addition, Iranian authorities have moved to stop the relay of information from opposition groups to the Islamic republic.
Iranian authorities have confiscated more than 1,000 satellite dishes as part of an effort to stop access to television channels used by the opposition, Middle East Newsline reported. The channels are based in the United States.
Nevertheless, the demonstrations were continuing Sunday, Iranian sources told World Tribune.com.
In the weeks since Sept. 11, the only major spontaneous pro-U.S. demonstrations have taken place in Iran where popular dissatisfaction with the government of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammed Khatami has become widespread.
"Iranians have now concluded that whatever happens, no one will help them," said Dr. Assad Homayoun, president of the Azadegan Foundation. "They will have to rely on their own power to change the regime."
He said the U.S. decision to include Iran in a coalition intended to isolate the Taliban in Afghanistan could have the short-term effect of strengthening the regime in Teheran which has been a leading state sponsor of terrorism.
Washington-based sources said Iran's loss in a soccer tournament last week with Bahrain provided an opportunity for street demonstrations in several major cities.
The state-owned Iran daily said about 150,000 satellite dishes are expected to be confiscated. The operation would be the first time authorities have enforced a 1995 ban on satellite dishes.
Unrest has reportedly increased since the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington. Police have broken up demonstrations in solidarity with the United States.
The unrest became violent after Iran's soccer team won another tournament with the United Arab Emirates. The fans attacked government buildings in Teheran and the government-sponsored Islamic vigilantes, torched police cars and chanted slogans against the Islamic republic.
The riots then spread to other Iranian cities, including Abadan, Isfahan, Kerman and Mashad.
1) Bahrain, where the people live under something approaching a democracy.
2) Iran, where the people know full well what an Islamic theocracy is really like.
Good news for us all around. Bravo for the Iranian people.
Seriously, if these things are really widespread, and the unofficial policy has been to look the other way until now, this can only piss off your average man-in-the-street. Look for the unrest to get worse and worse...
From what I’ve heard, once you start watching “Survivor” you really get addicted to it. For me, I hate to miss “Buffy” “The Sopranos” or the NFL. If some raghead Imam took my TV, I'd be looking to kick some ass, especially on Sunday afternoon.
"The Iranian People Thank You!"
"He said the U.S. decision to include Iran in a coalition intended to isolate the Taliban in Afghanistan could have the short-term effect of strengthening the regime in Teheran which has been a leading state sponsor of terrorism."
President Bush cannot seem to find something important, about which he will not compromise.
He seeks his own political protection while dispensing that which is not his to give away, under his policy of, "Let's you and him compromise and I'll draw the expenses out of them."
Olive branches are therefore fast becoming the number one choice of nourishment for the enemies of America.
On the contrary, there is a very significant portion of the Iranian population that is pro-west. The ruling party's 'looking the other way' on things like satellite dishes and internet access etc. is not because they're nice guys. It is self-serving and an effort to appease the growing pro-west elements of the society. The US is faced with opportunities to forge solid and long lasting relationships with the people of Iran, not just their government.
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