Sunday
Jun132010
The Latest from Iran (13 June): And So It Goes On....
Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 22:23
2130 GMT: We close the night with two features. We bask in the glory of being filtered by the Iranian Government (though reports tonight say that all WordPress-based sites are being filtered), and we have the text of Mehdi Karroubi's interview with CNN.
1950 GMT: Containing the Clerics (cont.). Now Basiji are reported to be outside the office of Saeed Montazeri, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri.
There is also claimed video of a hostile crowd, with one making a fiery speech criticising opposition figures, outside Ayatollah Sane'i's home, which Mehdi Karroubi reportedly visited.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIzdSgkb5Q&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
1640 GMT: Containing the Cleric. Kalemeh reports that Grand Ayatollah Sane'i's home in Qom was surrounded by Basiji militia. The plainclothesmen chanted slogans against Sane'i and Mehdi Karroubi, who was visiting a memorial service in the city.
Karroubi's son said his father's car was badly damaged by the militia.
1630 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Azad University student activist Salman Sima was seized by plainclothes agents on Enghelab Avenue and taken to an unknown location.
Sima was also arrested in November 2009 and spent nearly 100 days in detention.
Kourosh Jannati, an Allameh Tabatabei University literature student, was arrested after reporting to the university’s security office. Aptin Pegah and Babak Ghiyasi, both Razi University students, were arrested in Kermanshah after a campus rally.
1625 GMT: The Battle Within. So we asked in the item below, "Establishment stalwart Abdolhossein Ruholamini may have defended the Supreme Leader, but what of the Government?"
Let's have a look at the answer:
1500 GMT: The Kahrizak Legacy. Abdolhossein Ruholamini, the campaign manager for Presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei and the father of slain detainee Mohsen Ruholamini, has made an interesting manoeuvre in Khabar Online.
Ruholamini has declared that he is certain the Supreme Leader cares for the injured protesters. Fair enough --- Ayatollah Khamenei is covered.
But if the Supreme Leader is not to blame, what of the Government?
1400 GMT: US Puts Out Line on Human Rights. I'm not sure how we missed this yesterday....
The State Department has put out the strongest American statement on human rights in Iran since June 2009, calling for "the immediate release of all imprisoned human rights defenders" (and listing some of them by name).
We've posted the text in a separate entry.
1315 GMT: How Many Were Arrested on 22 Khordaad? Rah-e-Sabz amidst reports on Mashhad, Najafabad, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Shiraz as well as Tehran, says more than 200 were arrested in the capital.
1235 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Activist Davoud Solemani has written an open letter to the Supreme Leader about "my interrogation with beatings and insults".
1225 GMT: How Many Were Arrested on 22 Khordaad? Human Rights Activists News Agency claim that more than 600 men and 300 women were detained at some point yesterday.
1145 GMT: Economy Watch --- All is Well Edition. Central Bank Governor Mahmud Bahmani has put out the message, "Iran will pay a guaranteed 10 percent interest on foreign investment…the Central Bank and Economy Ministry will guarantee the return of the principal and capital profit."
1115 GMT: Journalist in Exile. The Guardian of London features an article by Saeed Kamali Dehghan, a reporter who fled Iran last summer, leaving his family behind.
0815 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Rah-e-Sabz, drawing from Iran Labor News Agency, claims that former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, speaking as chairman of the Expediency Council, condemned the heckling of Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson Seyed Hassan Khomeini at the 4 June ceremony commemorating the death of his grandfather.
0810 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Iran Labor Report summarises the recent arrests of labour activists. Reza Shahabi of the Tehran Bus Workers Union is the most recent detainee, picked up yesterday morning at work.
0805 GMT: And in Southeastern Iran. RAHANA reports, "On Saturday June 12, 2010, a silent demonstration and hunger strike ceremony was held at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan. About 1000 people attended this ceremony from different ethnic backgrounds, including Kurdish, Lor and Baluch....At the end of this gathering, students held a large human chain and announced they would hold another gathering in case any disciplinary verdicts was issued for them."
0755 GMT: 22 Khordaad Around the World. While our attention was on the day inside Iran, rallies in more than 80 cities outside the country marked the anniversary of the election. Rah-e-Sabz summarises 28 events. A human chain was forged in Paris:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joWm9C98ZUc&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
There's video from Berlin:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc4xeZqaafU&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
And a picture from London:
0730 GMT: After the events of 22 Khordaad yesterday, which seemed to indicate that there are no conclusions --- just an ongoing political battle --- we offer two analyses: Josh Shahryar reviews the day, "What Happened and What It Means", while Scott Lucas takes his eyes from football's World Cup to blow an interim whistle and declares, "Greens 1, Darks 0".
We also offer a musical moment which may or may not have some relevance.
1950 GMT: Containing the Clerics (cont.). Now Basiji are reported to be outside the office of Saeed Montazeri, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri.
There is also claimed video of a hostile crowd, with one making a fiery speech criticising opposition figures, outside Ayatollah Sane'i's home, which Mehdi Karroubi reportedly visited.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIzdSgkb5Q&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
NEW Iran Document: Karroubi “Greens Stronger & More Mature Than Last Year” (12 June)
NEW Iran Special: EA Gets Highest Award from Tehran Government!
NEW Iran: The US State Department’s Comment on the Election Anniversary
NEW Iran Result: The 22 Khordaad Cup “Greens 1, Darks 0″ (Lucas)
Iran Analysis: 22 Khordaad — What Happened and What It Means (Shahryar)
Latest Iran Video: Protests of 22 Khordaad (12 June)
Iran: Not Forgetting 22 Khordaad “The Day We Chose to Live” (Pedestrian)
The Latest from Iran (12 June): 22 Khordaad
1640 GMT: Containing the Cleric. Kalemeh reports that Grand Ayatollah Sane'i's home in Qom was surrounded by Basiji militia. The plainclothesmen chanted slogans against Sane'i and Mehdi Karroubi, who was visiting a memorial service in the city.
Karroubi's son said his father's car was badly damaged by the militia.
1630 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Azad University student activist Salman Sima was seized by plainclothes agents on Enghelab Avenue and taken to an unknown location.
Sima was also arrested in November 2009 and spent nearly 100 days in detention.
Kourosh Jannati, an Allameh Tabatabei University literature student, was arrested after reporting to the university’s security office. Aptin Pegah and Babak Ghiyasi, both Razi University students, were arrested in Kermanshah after a campus rally.
1625 GMT: The Battle Within. So we asked in the item below, "Establishment stalwart Abdolhossein Ruholamini may have defended the Supreme Leader, but what of the Government?"
Let's have a look at the answer:
The remarkable participation of people in support of the system on various occasions should not be construed as a pretext to conceal the inefficiency and incompetence of some state officials, [Ruholamnini] underlined.
Last year “I deemed it appropriate that president Ahmadinejad would not stay in the office…. At the time I was supporting another candidate and I believed that he was qualified and competent to become the next president, Ruholamini stated.
Ruholamini criticized the performance of the national TV prior and after the election in supporting a particular candidate.
Such performance gave rise to the belief among the public that the national TV is taking side, thus the root cause of some regrettable events after the election could be attributed to such impartial performance, he added.
Without providing a “tranquil environment” in the society based on “reason and understanding” it would be impossible to properly run the country, he explained.
Unfortunately a group of people who claim to support the principlist axioms has totally ignored moral principles and in order to harm their rivals resort to any immoral means, he lamented.
Under such environment, it is noticed that critics and those who are serving the system are removed from their duties under different pretexts.
“I should say that such an approach is not an appropriate strategy to resolve problems,” he added.
1500 GMT: The Kahrizak Legacy. Abdolhossein Ruholamini, the campaign manager for Presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei and the father of slain detainee Mohsen Ruholamini, has made an interesting manoeuvre in Khabar Online.
Ruholamini has declared that he is certain the Supreme Leader cares for the injured protesters. Fair enough --- Ayatollah Khamenei is covered.
But if the Supreme Leader is not to blame, what of the Government?
1400 GMT: US Puts Out Line on Human Rights. I'm not sure how we missed this yesterday....
The State Department has put out the strongest American statement on human rights in Iran since June 2009, calling for "the immediate release of all imprisoned human rights defenders" (and listing some of them by name).
We've posted the text in a separate entry.
1315 GMT: How Many Were Arrested on 22 Khordaad? Rah-e-Sabz amidst reports on Mashhad, Najafabad, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Shiraz as well as Tehran, says more than 200 were arrested in the capital.
1235 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Activist Davoud Solemani has written an open letter to the Supreme Leader about "my interrogation with beatings and insults".
1225 GMT: How Many Were Arrested on 22 Khordaad? Human Rights Activists News Agency claim that more than 600 men and 300 women were detained at some point yesterday.
1145 GMT: Economy Watch --- All is Well Edition. Central Bank Governor Mahmud Bahmani has put out the message, "Iran will pay a guaranteed 10 percent interest on foreign investment…the Central Bank and Economy Ministry will guarantee the return of the principal and capital profit."
1115 GMT: Journalist in Exile. The Guardian of London features an article by Saeed Kamali Dehghan, a reporter who fled Iran last summer, leaving his family behind.
0815 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Rah-e-Sabz, drawing from Iran Labor News Agency, claims that former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, speaking as chairman of the Expediency Council, condemned the heckling of Ayatollah Khomeini's grandson Seyed Hassan Khomeini at the 4 June ceremony commemorating the death of his grandfather.
0810 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Iran Labor Report summarises the recent arrests of labour activists. Reza Shahabi of the Tehran Bus Workers Union is the most recent detainee, picked up yesterday morning at work.
0805 GMT: And in Southeastern Iran. RAHANA reports, "On Saturday June 12, 2010, a silent demonstration and hunger strike ceremony was held at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan. About 1000 people attended this ceremony from different ethnic backgrounds, including Kurdish, Lor and Baluch....At the end of this gathering, students held a large human chain and announced they would hold another gathering in case any disciplinary verdicts was issued for them."
0755 GMT: 22 Khordaad Around the World. While our attention was on the day inside Iran, rallies in more than 80 cities outside the country marked the anniversary of the election. Rah-e-Sabz summarises 28 events. A human chain was forged in Paris:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joWm9C98ZUc&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
There's video from Berlin:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc4xeZqaafU&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
And a picture from London:
0730 GMT: After the events of 22 Khordaad yesterday, which seemed to indicate that there are no conclusions --- just an ongoing political battle --- we offer two analyses: Josh Shahryar reviews the day, "What Happened and What It Means", while Scott Lucas takes his eyes from football's World Cup to blow an interim whistle and declares, "Greens 1, Darks 0".
We also offer a musical moment which may or may not have some relevance.
tagged 22 Khordaad, Abdolhossein Ruholamini, Aptin Pegah, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Yusuf Sane'i, Babak Ghiyasi, CNN, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hillary Clinton, Human Rights Activists News Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Iran Labor News Agency, Iran Labor Report, Josh Shahryar, Kalemeh, Kourosh Jannati, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohsen Ruholamini, Rah-e-Sabz, Reza Shahabi, Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Saeed Montazeri, Salman Sima, Scott Lucas, Seyed Hassan Khomeini, State Department, Tehran Bus Workers Union, The Guardian, University of Sistan and Baluchestan in Middle East & Iran
22 Khordaad, Abdolhossein Ruholamini, Aptin Pegah, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Yusuf Sane'i, Babak Ghiyasi, CNN, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hillary Clinton, Human Rights Activists News Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Iran Labor News Agency, Iran Labor Report, Josh Shahryar, Kalemeh, Kourosh Jannati, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohsen Ruholamini, Rah-e-Sabz, Reza Shahabi, Saeed Kamali Dehghan, Saeed Montazeri, Salman Sima, Scott Lucas, Seyed Hassan Khomeini, State Department, Tehran Bus Workers Union, The Guardian, University of Sistan and Baluchestan in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (33)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTUhPq7Xa_Q" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTUhPq7Xa_Q Vienna!!!
As far as I can tell, a detail missed by those who have translated segments of Mousavi's statement on the evening of June 11 and which I have just now read on RFE/RL, is this: Vowing to “continue our peaceful methods,” he said the opposition must use different means to spread its message, including “real and virtual social networks” as well as setting up television and radio stations OUTSIDE the country. [emphasis mine].
This seems to be an important change in tack, as the GM has up to now consistently avowed its disinterest in foreign assistance beyond general moral support, human rights reports and exposure of abuses in the press. I would have thought the conservative Iranian press would have a field day with these remarks. Or is it something the translator inserted?
http://www.rferl.org/content/Warning_Against_Iran_Vote_Anniversary_Protests/2069175.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.rferl.org/content/Warning_Against_Ir...
Under 'New Opposition Tactics'
The day I fled Iran in terror and left my family behind – a journalist's story
One year ago, after a disputed election, a popular uprising almost brought down the Iranian regime. Saeed Kamali Dehghan risked his life to report on the green revolt – but then he made the agonising decision to flee to the UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/13/saeed-dehghan-iran-exile" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/13/sae...
Iran opposition leader: 'The future belongs to the people'
CNN's interview with Karroubi where this widely repeated quote came from:
CNN: Is the situation in Iran better today than it was last year?
Karrubi: This can seen be seen from two viewpoints. From the way things appear, things have not improved because the political situation, the economy and international relations have been damaged. Iranians have paid a heavy price. But if we take a deeper look at the situation, the Iranian society has made strides in the path of knowing their rights, and this is a great achievement.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/06/12/iran.karrubi/?hpt=C2" rel="nofollow">http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/06/12/iran....
No one can "GUARANTEE" a return on an "investment." The word "guarantee" should send up a red flag --- warning warning warning --- something too good to be true probably is too good to be true. Only desparate fools would believe a fake gurantee by a Regime that is economically unstable.
Hi Scott. Not sure if anyone has brought it to your attention yet. But as of today your website is now blocked by the Iranian censors. Congratulations on finally pissing them off! Race For Iran is also blocked as of this morning. I think they've had enough of the Greens commenting on their websites!
EAfan, thanks- we're actually just working on our acceptance speech for this honour at the moment...
While threatening the world with nuclear weapons and ignoring requests of neighbors and threatening stability, this stupid Regime say invest your money with us and we will "guarantee" you 10%. An arrogant know it all says we are going to ignore the world's rules and we want your money and we will promise you a high return on your money, they say trust us while they break the rules. Only a fool would trust a fool.
RE 1145 GMT: Economy Watch — All is Well Edition
But not in the oil industry that those foreigners will probably want to invest in!
Iran oil losing manpower due to low wages: news report
Iran is facing a crisis in its vital oil industry due to the emigration of its expert manpower to countries offering much higher wages and benefits, a senior lawmaker said in the daily Qods newspaper on Saturday.
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Business%2520Report&fArticleId=5511697" rel="nofollow">http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Busi...
Thank Mr Mohammad
This promise of guarantee comes from a regime who confiscates peoples assets for slightest hint of disloyalty and/or dissent.
@ 1145 GMT: Economy Watch — All is Well Edition
Labour activists report “Because women workers receive low wages, most manufacturing is now dependent on female labor. Male workers receive higher wages for the same amount of work. The harsh and sad living conditions of women workers who, due to economic problems, are forced to make their own and their families’ ends meet outside the official market without any protections of law, is a different story." http://www.irannewsdigest.com/2010/06/12/iranian-women-labor-woes/" rel="nofollow">http://www.irannewsdigest.com/2010/06/12/irania...
Perhaps these women can guarantee the 10 percent interest on foreign investment. It doesn't matter that they get exploited, trying to feed their families, the important thing is that they follow the Islamic dress codes and wear a proper hijab! Only one of hundred examples of this Rotten Republic's cynical factitiousness!
[...] The Latest from Iran (13 June): And So It Goes On…. | Enduring America [...]
Bassiji Watch
Kaleme reports that Ayatollah Sane'i's home in Qom is surrounded by Bassiji troups, chanting slogans against him and Karroubi, who had visited a memorial service in this city. According to reports the siege continues: http://www.kaleme.com/1389/03/23/klm-22689" rel="nofollow">http://www.kaleme.com/1389/03/23/klm-22689
Will Sane'i be the next Montazeri? As the late Grand Ayatollah said, this IR is neither Islamic nor a Republic.
Ghana beats Serbia 1:0 !
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/live-analysis-serbia-vs-ghana/" rel="nofollow">http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/live-a...
First African team to win -- congratulations :-)
When will Iran build a wall like East Germany did??
Samuel has always proudly claimed that anyone can leave Iran - and has especially encouraged "Greenies" (as he calls them) to leave.
BUT - Iran will son find ( like East Germany did) that it cannot afford to keep losing it's brightest and best young people. East Germany's answer to this was to lock them all inside the country - by building a wall. Now, Iran is probably too large to actually build a wall - but there are more ways of turning Iran into a complete prison than that. I am surprised they haven't started already.
Barry
That is awesome news!!! Several of us including myself have gone onto Race for Iran and posted numerous comments. I am sure the comments section is probably what got them banned!! I wonder if the Leveretts will finally wake up now that the crocodile is trying to eat them now in its attempt to stay alive.
Folks,
Reminder--watch for free the HBO documentary called "For Neda" on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48SinuEHIk" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48SinuEHIk
Neda's family speaks and they quite clearly blame the regime for her death. It is a moving story and one that has a surprising amount of detail on the events leading up to the election, the day of, and the aftermath. All in all it is a great video to watch. I do have to admit I was amazed this guy was able to pull this off without getting caught. I can only imagine some minder is in Evin for letting this happen.
Thx
Bill
Catherine,
Thanks for this link. This is the same guy who produced the HBO documentary "For Neda" I posted a link to below. The story provided some interesting background. It also debunked "no gays" in Iran quote from Ahmadinejad.
Thx
Bill
Mousavi calls for launch of radio and TV for Green Movement
@ Catherine 01:13 PM - and all. Green Voice of Freedom has an extensive report on the cyber press conference of Mousavi and Karoubi... (finally we know what was said :-)
"Speaking on the issue of media, Mousavi added that despite the potential of the internet in filling the gaps left behind by in the state media, “efforts must be made to establish international television channels outside the country.” He said that the media campaign for the Green Movement must become more organised and pervasive while stating, “those friends, who are thinking about this issue, must speed up their efforts for launching radio stations and television channels. It is the right of our nation to have channels of information.”
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jun/13/2066" rel="nofollow">http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/jun/1...
Why hasn't my question about Oxfordgirl's tweet been published? She seems reliable, and I think it's important to ask her for the source or reason of her claim. Again, what she tweeted today:
We now have confirmation that we had army/guards backing, that there was a moment to go in for the kill. Rething essential now #Iranelection about 9 hours ago via TweetDeck
http://twitter.com/oxfordgirl/status/16068112514" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/oxfordgirl/status/16068112514
Seriously, what the hell is going on? Why are you censoring my question about Oxfordgirl's tweet? I'm directing your attention to it to see if you can get any info from her about the nature of the claim.
Bozorg,
My apologies. I try to be diligent in picking up all comments but missed your original query re Oxfordgirl's claim on the Iranian army.
I hope that readers can now weigh in on whether they see any substance to her suggestion.
Scott
No problem, Scott. I've decided to fold and create an open id account soon.
She's not suggesting, she's clearly stating that she has confirmation that "we had army/guards backing," and that some sort of opportunity was missed.
Since she's a popular and seemingly reliable person on #iranelection who claims to operate with a very high standard for verification, I thought you might want to follow up with her about that claim.
Bozorg,
I wonder if this has to do with commotions at the State TV, Seda and Sima. There were some sporadic unconfirmed reports that some people got to the State TV complex on June 12 and shot could be heard. I also heard some employees were taken as hostages and that the commotion was neutralized by regime security forces (sounds dreadful).
I have been scanning news and have not read or heard any follow up. Yesterday, VOA hinted that they had heard there might have been some trouble at Seda and Sima and said they were looking into it to get more details.
On Oxfordgirl, I'm not 100% what she means. Is she really referring to yesterday/22 Khordad, or to a more vague description of months past? If she means yesterday, then I would kinda wonder why Mousavi/Karroubi called it off. Keep in mind, though, that Rafs is probably THE guy to pull this off, given his cultivation of ties and popularity in the Army