June 12, 2009
NYC Letter: Robust Political Debate
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Day 143 of CHOPE
OBAMA SAYS IRAN'S 'ROBUST' ELECTION DEBATE
HOPEFUL SIGN FOR US-IRAN ENGAGEMENT
June 12, 2009 (VOA) - President Barack Obama said Friday he's hopeful the robust political debate in Iran in connection with its presidential election will advance prospects for U.S.-Iranian engagement. Administration officials say plans to engage Tehran will go forward regardless of who wins the election.Obama administration officials have been careful not to take sides in public statements on the hotly contested multi-candidate race, led by incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud ["Merry Christmas"] Ahmadinejad and the relatively-moderate former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi.
But they have made no effort to conceal their fascination over the process, which featured acrimonious televised debates on major policy issues and massive public rallies. Mr. Obama:
Obviously after the speech that I made in Cairo, we tried to send a clear message that we think there's the possibility of change. And you know ultimately the election is for the Iranians to decide. But just as has been true in Lebanon, what can be true in Iran as well is that you're seeing people looking at new possibilities.Meanwhile, a senior State Department official who spoke to reporters on terms of anonymity said the administration's determination to seek dialogue with Iran is not dependent on any specific election outcome, and that the United States will seek to engage whoever wins. .. But, under questioning, the senior official said an Ahmadinejad victory is "not necessarily" a setback to the administration's engagement hopes.
THAT ROBUST POLITICAL DEBATE
The Unanswerable Rebuttal: Being Clubbed Senseless
[Photo source: behrang.us]
Photo caption: The picture shows club-wielding pro-Ahmadinejad Basijis (regime thugs). The vest the man is wearing says "Dr. Ahmadinejad." The man in the yellow vest is also with the Basiji.
Hey, Team Barry! You want some of this? Some robust Iranian debate?
AHMADINEJAD RENEWS CALL
FOR DEBATE WITH OBAMA
TEHRAN June 10, 2009 (FNA)- Iran's incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Tuesday said he would invite US President Barack Obama to a debate at the UN if elected as Iran's president once again.... He viewed debate as the best way for resolving world problems.
Debate. And open minacity.
PRIMARY RESULTS SAY AHMADINEJAD
IS WINNER OF ELECTIONS
TEHRAN June 13, 209 (IRNA)
Uh-ho. It's on!*
CHOPE.
Talk. Talk. Talk.
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* Or maybe not:
Challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi said he had won by a large margin during what he called an "emergency" news conference in Tehran. He also complained of voting irregularities, including the rigging of votes and deliberate attempts by the government to block people from casting ballots.Posted by Damian at June 12, 2009 11:45 AM... Late Friday, dozens of supporters gathered outside of several of Mr. Mousavi's campaign offices, shouting "God is great" and complaining about the reported results. Riot police aggressively dispersed one crowd by using batons and pepper spray. Supporters of Mr. Ahmadinejad honked their horns and gathered outside the Interior Ministry to celebrate, chanting provocative slogans against their opponent.
