Friday
Jun192009
Iran: Live Blog of Supreme Leader's Address (19 June)
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:42
NEW Iran: The 7 Lessons of the Supreme Leader’s Address
Transcript: aAyatollah Khamenei's Speech at Prayers (19 June)
The Latest from Iran (19 June): The Supreme Leader Speaks
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A correction: it seems I mis-heard the passage on former President Hashemi Rafsanjani and "corruption". The Supreme Leader was apparently chiding President Ahmadinejad, rather than Rafsanjani, for allegations during the campaign, as well as praising Rafsanjani's devotion to the Revolution. Still, the political conclusion, "I am closer to the President's views", was a message to Rafsanjani to stop challenging the election.
A second, less important clarifcation: apparently my confusion at 0950 was because of shaky translation and the rather unusual linkages of the Supreme Leader. My colleague Steve Hewitt says the BBC translated Khameini's remarks as referring to the 1993 FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Still don't see how the Supreme Leader is using this to challenge "Western" electoral politics and demonstrations, however.
And finally (I hope) Mir Hossein Mousavi was not at prayers as a Twitter report initially indicated. All leading opposition politicians stayed away.
0953 GMT: Supreme Leader now concluding to standing acclaim from audience: "Patience. May God Bless You All."
0950 GMT: I am lost in confusion, probably because of translation, over a passage where the Supreme Leader apparently talked about violence during the last US Presidential election when "80 people were burned in a house".
0944 GMT: Supreme Leader claims that, when Western countries noted the intense discussion during the Iranian elections and demonstrations afterwards, they "showed their true face" by intervening. He cites Barack Obama's statement earlier this week.
Supreme Leader claims that Western countries have spent "tens of millions" to effect a counter-revolution on the lines of the Rose Revolution in Georgia.
0940 GMT: Supreme Leader now turns again to "Western media" and "Western countries", especially US and some European countries.
0939 GMT: If these "terrorist" activities continue, "I will have to come back here and speak more clearly and straightforwardly." Huge response from crowd.
0935 GMT: I think there was a veiled apology for the raid on Tehran University dormitories, attacking students who were "believers" rather than enemies. This, however, was prompted by the unrest of "terrorist" activity.
0933 GMT: And now the warning against further demonstrations. The Supreme Leader talks of disruption of "normal life" by "terrorist plots" while people are carrying on demonstrations. If this happens, or if there is trouble with the paramilitary Basiji, "who will take the responsibility?"
0930 GMT: Now the attack on "Western" countries. Diplomats "are showing their real face, they are showing they are real enemies against the Islamic Republic." Britain is singled out.
0927 GMT: Sup Leader - Leaders of campaigns "should be careful how they are acting, careful what they are saying". Otherwise, this could provoke "extremists".
"To my old friends, my brothers, please be patient."
0924 GMT: Sup Leader - If challenges continue to election, "the legal framework will be broken".
0920 GMT: Supreme Leader - "Nothing can be changed. It's finished, the Presidential campaign."
"There is no cheating inside the election system, and it's well-controlled." There might be 100,000 or 200,000 or 1 million in "mistakes" but "11 million is not possible". Huge response from crowd. (Apparently, the chant is, "Death to Israel.")
0919 GMT: Nice touch. Supreme Leader just pointed to "corruption" in the "UK Parliament". While busy, he seems to have had the time to monitor the uproar over the expenses of British Parliamentarians.
0917 GMT: Supreme Leader - "We have to fight corruption," but Islamic Republic is "one of the most healthy systems in the world". It is "Zionist source" condemning Iran.
This is not-so-veiled slapdown of Rafsanjani for alleging corruption under Ahmadinejad's Presidency.
0915 GMT: Supreme Leader - "I have some differences of point of view" with "Mr Hashemi", and there were "differences of point of view" in last election between Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani.
"The President was closest to my point of view." Loud response from audience.
0911 GMT: Showdown! Supreme Leader just directly criticised former President Hashemi Rafsanjani for his allegations of corruption during the campaign.
Supreme Leader is continuing with long background of Rafsanjani's history during Revolution: "he was one of the most helpful" persons "nearest to the Imam". Wait for the next assault....
0909 GMT: Supreme Leader now denouncing "lies", "calumny", and "rumours" against President Ahmadinejad.
0905 GMT: Supreme Leader turns to the "negative impact" of the election process. He liked the "freedom" that the process demonstrated, but there were also some "bad words" and "bad points, problems" from "followers of some candidates". This has provoked criticisms (from outside the country) which Iranian people should be ready to answer.
0900 GMT: Supreme Leader just set down his line challenging opposition demonstrations, "Everything was clear to the people". In other words, fair and legitimate election.
0857 GMT: Supreme Leader - rest assured that all four Presidential candidates came "from within system...of Islamic Republic", including President, Prime Minister for eight years (Mousavi), Commander-in-Chief of Revolutionary Guards (Rezaei), President of Iranian Parliament (Karroubi). All were "approved by me".
Khamenei praises the serious debate in the campaign with "clear, honest" points "from the bottom of the heart".
0854 GMT: Supreme Leader - Charges of election fraud whipped up by "Iran's enemies", even before the vote. These enemies included "dirty Zionists" and "British radio".
0851 GMT: Supreme Leader to Iran's "enemies" - "If our young people didn't have any hope, they wouldn't participate in this election."
0849 GMT: Reports that Ahmadinejad and Mousavi sitting a few feet apart from each other in front row for Supreme Leader's address.
0847 GMT: Supreme Leader - Iran election an "earthquake" for its enemies and a "historical celebration" for its friends.
0843 GMT: Supreme Leader - Iranian people "showed their love for their regime"; you could not find comparable in "so-called democratic countries". This brings a response from the crowd. He then gives special attention to "youth and young people" who showed "their political conscience".
0840 GMT: Supreme Leader turning to "main issue" of elections with three audiences: 1) "Dear People" 2) Iran's political leaders 3) Western countries and media.
0833 GMT: Supreme Leader says that, despite "distortions" and "troubles", "our people are believers". However, "our youth inside a naturalistic world with troubles...don't know what to do....They don't know how to go back to spirituality."
0820 GMT: Supreme Leader using story of Prophet Mohammad to talk about facing enemies and having "merciful attitude" towards unbelievers. This will ensure "quiet and peaceful mind" despite stressful situations.
Transcript: aAyatollah Khamenei's Speech at Prayers (19 June)
The Latest from Iran (19 June): The Supreme Leader Speaks
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS- SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
A correction: it seems I mis-heard the passage on former President Hashemi Rafsanjani and "corruption". The Supreme Leader was apparently chiding President Ahmadinejad, rather than Rafsanjani, for allegations during the campaign, as well as praising Rafsanjani's devotion to the Revolution. Still, the political conclusion, "I am closer to the President's views", was a message to Rafsanjani to stop challenging the election.A second, less important clarifcation: apparently my confusion at 0950 was because of shaky translation and the rather unusual linkages of the Supreme Leader. My colleague Steve Hewitt says the BBC translated Khameini's remarks as referring to the 1993 FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Still don't see how the Supreme Leader is using this to challenge "Western" electoral politics and demonstrations, however.
And finally (I hope) Mir Hossein Mousavi was not at prayers as a Twitter report initially indicated. All leading opposition politicians stayed away.
0953 GMT: Supreme Leader now concluding to standing acclaim from audience: "Patience. May God Bless You All."
0950 GMT: I am lost in confusion, probably because of translation, over a passage where the Supreme Leader apparently talked about violence during the last US Presidential election when "80 people were burned in a house".
0944 GMT: Supreme Leader claims that, when Western countries noted the intense discussion during the Iranian elections and demonstrations afterwards, they "showed their true face" by intervening. He cites Barack Obama's statement earlier this week.
Supreme Leader claims that Western countries have spent "tens of millions" to effect a counter-revolution on the lines of the Rose Revolution in Georgia.
0940 GMT: Supreme Leader now turns again to "Western media" and "Western countries", especially US and some European countries.
0939 GMT: If these "terrorist" activities continue, "I will have to come back here and speak more clearly and straightforwardly." Huge response from crowd.
0935 GMT: I think there was a veiled apology for the raid on Tehran University dormitories, attacking students who were "believers" rather than enemies. This, however, was prompted by the unrest of "terrorist" activity.
0933 GMT: And now the warning against further demonstrations. The Supreme Leader talks of disruption of "normal life" by "terrorist plots" while people are carrying on demonstrations. If this happens, or if there is trouble with the paramilitary Basiji, "who will take the responsibility?"
0930 GMT: Now the attack on "Western" countries. Diplomats "are showing their real face, they are showing they are real enemies against the Islamic Republic." Britain is singled out.
0927 GMT: Sup Leader - Leaders of campaigns "should be careful how they are acting, careful what they are saying". Otherwise, this could provoke "extremists".
"To my old friends, my brothers, please be patient."
0924 GMT: Sup Leader - If challenges continue to election, "the legal framework will be broken".
0920 GMT: Supreme Leader - "Nothing can be changed. It's finished, the Presidential campaign."
"There is no cheating inside the election system, and it's well-controlled." There might be 100,000 or 200,000 or 1 million in "mistakes" but "11 million is not possible". Huge response from crowd. (Apparently, the chant is, "Death to Israel.")
0919 GMT: Nice touch. Supreme Leader just pointed to "corruption" in the "UK Parliament". While busy, he seems to have had the time to monitor the uproar over the expenses of British Parliamentarians.
0917 GMT: Supreme Leader - "We have to fight corruption," but Islamic Republic is "one of the most healthy systems in the world". It is "Zionist source" condemning Iran.
This is not-so-veiled slapdown of Rafsanjani for alleging corruption under Ahmadinejad's Presidency.
0915 GMT: Supreme Leader - "I have some differences of point of view" with "Mr Hashemi", and there were "differences of point of view" in last election between Ahmadinejad and Rafsanjani.
"The President was closest to my point of view." Loud response from audience.
0911 GMT: Showdown! Supreme Leader just directly criticised former President Hashemi Rafsanjani for his allegations of corruption during the campaign.
Supreme Leader is continuing with long background of Rafsanjani's history during Revolution: "he was one of the most helpful" persons "nearest to the Imam". Wait for the next assault....
0909 GMT: Supreme Leader now denouncing "lies", "calumny", and "rumours" against President Ahmadinejad.
0905 GMT: Supreme Leader turns to the "negative impact" of the election process. He liked the "freedom" that the process demonstrated, but there were also some "bad words" and "bad points, problems" from "followers of some candidates". This has provoked criticisms (from outside the country) which Iranian people should be ready to answer.
0900 GMT: Supreme Leader just set down his line challenging opposition demonstrations, "Everything was clear to the people". In other words, fair and legitimate election.
0857 GMT: Supreme Leader - rest assured that all four Presidential candidates came "from within system...of Islamic Republic", including President, Prime Minister for eight years (Mousavi), Commander-in-Chief of Revolutionary Guards (Rezaei), President of Iranian Parliament (Karroubi). All were "approved by me".
Khamenei praises the serious debate in the campaign with "clear, honest" points "from the bottom of the heart".
0854 GMT: Supreme Leader - Charges of election fraud whipped up by "Iran's enemies", even before the vote. These enemies included "dirty Zionists" and "British radio".
0851 GMT: Supreme Leader to Iran's "enemies" - "If our young people didn't have any hope, they wouldn't participate in this election."
0849 GMT: Reports that Ahmadinejad and Mousavi sitting a few feet apart from each other in front row for Supreme Leader's address.
0847 GMT: Supreme Leader - Iran election an "earthquake" for its enemies and a "historical celebration" for its friends.
0843 GMT: Supreme Leader - Iranian people "showed their love for their regime"; you could not find comparable in "so-called democratic countries". This brings a response from the crowd. He then gives special attention to "youth and young people" who showed "their political conscience".
0840 GMT: Supreme Leader turning to "main issue" of elections with three audiences: 1) "Dear People" 2) Iran's political leaders 3) Western countries and media.
0833 GMT: Supreme Leader says that, despite "distortions" and "troubles", "our people are believers". However, "our youth inside a naturalistic world with troubles...don't know what to do....They don't know how to go back to spirituality."
0820 GMT: Supreme Leader using story of Prophet Mohammad to talk about facing enemies and having "merciful attitude" towards unbelievers. This will ensure "quiet and peaceful mind" despite stressful situations.
Reader Comments (7)
80 people burned in a house was a reference to the FBI's assault on the Branch Davidian compound
[...] Iran’s “justice & love” WARNING – Hanging Video By keeptonyblairforpm UPDATE, 19th June: The Supreme Leader – you have to worry when someone uses THAT title – says that Britain (& America) are hostile to the Islamic Republic because they have “cast doubts on the election results”. What? Only the wicked west has doubts!? And here were we thinking how restrained we’d been throughout this obvious FIX. The SL’s address. [...]
Dr Lucas,
Actually when the leader talked of using “Zionist sources” he was not referring to Rafsanjani’s allegations against Ahmadinejad. He was referring to some statistics Mr Mousavi had used in one of his live debates. Based on that statistics and the ranking it provided Iran was one of the countries having most corrupted governments.
And one more point, he was not challenging the “‘Western’ electoral politics and demonstrations” when he reffered to the Davidian case. I think he was pointing that Obama, as the president of the United States cannot be concerned about freedom of speech and expression in Iran while in America not so long ago the 1993 FBI siege of the Branch Davidian happened, referring to Obama’s reaction to the protests when he expressed his concerns over these issues.
M.S.,
There are very useful clarifications. Thank you so much.
I think your first correction indicated a subtle rebuke of Mr Mousavi and possibly a linking of his campaign to outside influences.
The second correction indicates, I think, how far the Supreme Leader is stretching in comparing the Iran and US cases --- the Branch Davidian situation, apart from being 15 years in the past (I can't recall Obama ever being asked to comment on it), has little to do with freedom of speech and electoral rights.
S.
I should agree with you on first part, yes I think the leader was rebuking Mr Musavi but on the second part atually it was the first time I heard about Davidian case. But the leader, if I heard and remember it correctly, was saying that even in america that preaches human rights, the Davidian were not given the freedom of speech either, referring to obama being concerned over violation of human rights in iran in recent days. but as i don't have any knowledge onthis case i also can't see the relation it may have to the current situation in iran.
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