Tuesday
Jun012010
The Latest from Iran (1 June): Latest on Emad Baghi
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 15:20 
1445 GMT: Ahmadinejad Slogan "Where's My Crowd?". Video is circulating of the President's speech in Ilam province today. There appears --- as with Ahmadinejad's recent addresses --- to be a distinct lack of an audience.1415 GMT: Iran's European Partner for Nuke Talks? Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, meeting the leader of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has welcomed "open and constructive" negotiations between Iran and the European Union over uranium enrichment.
Iran Document: Rahnavard “Honour Women, Release Political Prisoners”
The Latest from Iran (31 May): Mousavi & Karroubi Call for 12 June Demo
1300 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. An EA correspondent reports that, after 162 days in solitary confinement, journalist Emaduddin Baghi has met his family.
The correspondent reports that, although Baghi's "body is really weak", he is "strong like a mountain from spiritual point of view".
Almost half of Baghi's interrogations have been about his viewpoints and theoretical work on human rights, with pressure on him to deny all that he has written. Almost half have been about his connections with international human rights organizations. Interrogators have declared, “We have arrested you to prove that international organizations such as Amnesty International, PRI [Penal Reform International], Martin Ennals Award, European Christian Political Movement, etc. are unable to release and help you. We arrested you to say that they are nothing”.
The remainder of Baghi's interragations have been related to his interview with the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri.
Baghi is still suffering from backache and, because of problems with his lungs, it is difficult for him to breathe. He also has heart problems.
0955 GMT: Shutting Down the Press. Iranian authorities have arrested two female journalists, Azam Veisameh and Mahbubeh Khansari, working for reformist newspapers.
0800 GMT: President v. Parliament. President Ahmadinejad has declared that the Iranian Parliament has ratified 130 laws which conflict with Sharia law and the Constitution.
Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar offers a sharp response. Reacting to Ahmadinejad's denial of 1 billion Toman (more than $1 million) missing from the 2006 Iranian budget, Bahonar said the Government "has a long list of breaking the laws".
0755 GMT: The Importance of Women. Publisher Shahla Lahiji offers the incisive analysis that Iranian women have entered the scene of politics as "founders and innovators"
0718 GMT: Getting Back to the Point. Given our fussing over "Western" mis-coverage of the nuclear issue today, it's only right that we give credit to Nazila Fathi of The New York Times for continuing to keep her eye on the main story:"Iran Moves to Thwart Protests Ahead of Election Anniversary".
0715 GMT: And Iran's Reaction? Tehran's line on the International Atomic Energy Agency report is straightforward: you're missing our moves for resolution.
Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said that Iran was surprised to see the report fail to cover the recent Iran-Brazil-Turkey agreement on a process for discussion of a uranium swap: "It was very surprising because we expected that this important historical event, which was the result of positive, constructive and … honest approach … and is one hundred percent related to the IAEA activities, should have been reported here."
0705 GMT: Nuke MediaWatch (Please, Just Stop). Joby Warrick of The Washington Post continues the "Western" mangling of the latest development on Iran's nuclear programme, the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency report.
Warrick and his editors simply overlook not only the detail but the summary of the report --- the IAEA would like more co-operation from Tehran but oversight of the uranium enrichment process has improved --- to trumpet, "Nuclear watchdog complains of stonewalling by Iran".
0655 GMT: Warning from the Supreme Leader's Brother. Seyed Hadi Khamenei, a prominent reformist, has warned that the "Hojjatieh", a "radical" sect of Islam whom some have linked to President Ahmadinejad, is trying to claim and distort the line of Ayatollah Khomeini.
0555 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. The sentence of 3 1/2 years and 50 lashes for filmmaker and journalist Mohammad Nourizad --- for insult and propaganda against the regime --- has been upheld by the Revolutionary Court.
0545 GMT: Go On, Repent. A slightly different take on compromise (see 0520 GMT) from Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi as he apparently tries to defuse any forthcoming protest.
Dowlatabadi said, in an interview with Iranian Students News Agency, that --- "following the glorious march of regime’s supporters on February 11, 2010 and the defeat of enemies" --- the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadegh Larijani, has ordered pardon for those who have repented and complied with the requirements of the law.
0520 GMT: A Cleric Calls for Compromise. Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani, the Secretary General of the Society of Combatant Clergy, has asserted, “We cannot call some people who slipped up after the election enemy because they did not mean hostility including those who have had good revolutionary records.”
While asking for a conciliatory line towards opponents, Mahdavi-Kani maintained that the Islamic system can only be preserved through velayat-e-faqih, the clerical authority of the Supreme Leader. He called on "principlists" to maintain their unity and
avoid divisions.
0510 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Dr. Sara Tavassoli, arrested after the Ashura demonstrations of 27 December, has been sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes.
Tavassoli is the daughter of Mohamad Tavassoli, chairman of the political office of the Freedom Movement of Iran. Her husband, Farid Taheri, is detained in Evin Prison.
The sentence of Omid Sharifi-Dana, another Ashura detainee, has been reduced from 6 to 3 years.
0445 GMT: After spending Monday covering the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, a day for us to regain our focus on developments inside Iran.
The major development yesterday was the meeting between Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, followed by their formal request to the Tehran provincial governor for a permit to march on 12 June, the anniversary of the Iranian election.
There is little chance that the request will be granted, but the step is essential to set the marker, "Well, we tried." Then attention will turn to whether Mousavi, Karroubi, and other opposition figures call for a demonstration in defiance of the refusal or whether they advocate other steps of resistance before, during, and after 12 June.
Once again, this development will probably get little attention in the "Western" press. The shiny nuclear issue again offered a distraction with the publication of the latest International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's uranium enrichment.
The report is a far-from-dramatic restatement of the IAEA's main line --- as Reuters summarises, "The report...repeated that the IAEA remains concerned about possible current activity in Iran to develop a nuclear payload for a missile, and that Tehran must respond to the agency's queries as soon as possible."
Beyond that, however, there are a couple of important takeaway point: Iran has added a second set of centrifuges to refine uranium to 20 percent --- a step repeatedly signalled by this year --- although they are not yet operational. At the same time, Iranian authorities have granted the IAEA inspectors "better oversight" at the Natanz site.
And how did David Sanger and William J. Broad of The New York Times, handle this news? True to form (and the line of the "unnamed officials" upon whom they rely), they set the button at panic mode: "U.N. Report Says Iran Has Fuel for 2 Nuclear Weapons".
tagged Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Amnesty International, Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, Azam Veisameh, David Sanger, Emaduddin Baghi, European Christian Political Movement, Farid Taheri, Freedom Movement of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Joby Warrick, Mahbubeh Khansari, Manouchehr Mottaki, Martin Ennals Award, Martin Schulz, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Nourizad, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Mohammad Tavassoli, Nazila Fathi, New York Times, Penal Reform International, Reuters, Sadegh Larijani, Sara Tavassoli, Seyed Hadi Khamenei, Shahla Lahiji, Washington Post, William Broad, uranium enrichment in Middle East & Iran
Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Amnesty International, Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, Azam Veisameh, David Sanger, Emaduddin Baghi, European Christian Political Movement, Farid Taheri, Freedom Movement of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran, Iran Elections 2009, Joby Warrick, Mahbubeh Khansari, Manouchehr Mottaki, Martin Ennals Award, Martin Schulz, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Nourizad, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, Mohammad Tavassoli, Nazila Fathi, New York Times, Penal Reform International, Reuters, Sadegh Larijani, Sara Tavassoli, Seyed Hadi Khamenei, Shahla Lahiji, Washington Post, William Broad, uranium enrichment in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (21)
Iran braces for June protests as opposition mounts digital offensive :
http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20568:iran-braces-for-june-protests-as-opposition-mounts-digital-offensive&catid=4:iran-general&Itemid=26" rel="nofollow">http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=co...
Japan urged Iran Monday to halt its controversial uranium enrichment programme, hinting Tokyo might support additional international sanctions against the country, officials said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100531/wl_asia_afp/irannuclearpoliticsjapan" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100531/wl_asia_af...
International arms control inspectors say sensitive equipment that could be used to extract plutonium for an atomic bomb has gone missing from a Tehran laboratory months after the apparatus was disclosed to a United Nations watchdog agency, according to an official report released Monday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-iran-nukes-20100601%2C0%2C3336285.story?track=rss" rel="nofollow">http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-iran-nukes-20...
Journalists Watch
Jaras reports a new wave of arrests: Ms Mahboubeh Khansari and Ms Azam Vismeh were arrested late last night, security forces raiding their homes.
Ms Khansari is a reporter to Kalame Sabz, Hammihan and Shargh, Ms Vismeh is a parliamentary journalist and worked for Shargh, ILNA, Irandokht and Shahrvand magazines: http://www.rahesabz.net/story/16467/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rahesabz.net/story/16467/
@ 0718 GMT: Getting Back to the Point
Sandis Watch: IRGC and Basij Prepare for June 4-5 Showdowns: Food and Cultural Packages Ready http://www.payvand.com/news/10/may/1318.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.payvand.com/news/10/may/1318.html
Mottaki to visit EU parliament today
Isabelle Durant, vice-president of EU parliament, strongly condemns post-election crackdowns, insisting on the fact that Mottaki's visit gives no legitimacy to AN's government: http://www.isabelledurant.be/index.php/2010/06/01/venue-de-m-mottaki-ministre-iranien-des-affaires-etrangeres-au-parlement-europeen/" rel="nofollow">http://www.isabelledurant.be/index.php/2010/06/...
Arsham
your second post is about the letter of Nourizad from prison and not a sandis watch; I would like to see which kind of greeting they have planned ! :-)
Arshama
They have to show him all the videos and pictures concerning people ill-treatement; he will be obliged to acquiesce, noding in agreement and being ashamed; he will see that all the people, in all countries, have seen those horrible images shown all over the world; he will see the worldwide size of hatred carried in the heart of each human being
Pardon, Ange, here comes the correct link to Sundis and "cultural packages": http://www.payvand.com/news/10/may/1321.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.payvand.com/news/10/may/1321.html
Vaghean ke in Sundis ham kolli bad-naam shodeh ;-)
I am really wondering why the western countries are focusing on the nuclear issue.
These western idiots ignore the reform movement of Iran. Instead to blame the regime with human rights, they play the dirty game of these islamic monkeys.
Since 31 years the regime is supported by western countries, at the cost of Iranian people. How is it possible that they do negotiation with murderers and killers like Ahmadinejad and Khamenei? The answer: they want to keep Iranian low, they dont want this countrie to develop its potential. Time to change the situation, and I am quite sure that Iranian know that there will be no help from outside.
Zende Bad Iran. Ma Bishomarim
Amusing, they have killed almost 100 persons ( their own people and I don't speak about thousands killed before, during their reign ), imprisonned thousands, tortured and raped hundreds and want UN to cut off Israel's hands :
"Ahmadinejad Demands U.N. 'Cut Off' Israel's Hands :
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/01/ahmadinejad-demands-cut-israels-hands/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/01/ahmadin...
" France urges rapid adoption of Iran sanctions " :
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6502E620100601" rel="nofollow">http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6502E6201...
"U.N. report says Iran has fuel for 2 nuclear weapons "
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middleeast/01nuke.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middlee...
Iran moves to thwart protests ahead of election anniversary
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middleeast/01iran.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middlee...
RE 1415 GMT... Mottaki was greeted with pictures of Neda by EU representatives at the European parliament today.
http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=17527" rel="nofollow">http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=17527
Yes !! amazing greeting !
That was pretty awesome.
Thank you so much, WitteKr, really gorgeous!
If anyone knows the names of these EU representatives, please let me know.
I want to send them a letter of appreciation.
WiiteKr,
Awesome find. I'll bet that made the Iranian delegation "quite happy" especially so when they could not summon their basiji dogs!! I do have a question though? Why are all these Iranian leaders so tiny? If they weren't so evil one could say "oh how cute can I have one mommy!!" Of course we would have to leash them to keep them out of trouble!!! HA HA :)
Thx
Bill
To All:
Here is an aerial view of the Ahmadinejad rally today showing the total crowd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLa0a5rq9NY&feature=related" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLa0a5rq9NY&feat...
It shows a couple thousand people but not what one would expect to see from a guy whom won 62% of the votes. You'll notice several other videos but take notice of the ones showing the people close up--very few are paying any attention to Ahmadinejad. By the way gotta love the seperation by geneder--as each day goes by the regime thugs are starting to look like the oppressive Saudis they despise! As a comparision on crowd sizes consider Obama draws jam packed crowds and he just got over 50% of the vote. I don't know but maybe the Basiji busses broke down?
Thx
Bill
@ 1445 GMT: Ahmadinejad Slogan “Where’s My Crowd?”
In Persian we say "mamme ra lulu bord" (untranslatable).
Sorry, couldn't resist ;-)