US told to stop meddling in Iran

US told to stop meddling in Iran
2009,06,18

As protesters continue to organise mass rallies on the streets of Tehran, the Iranian Government has criticised the West for meddling in its internal affairs.

Ambassadors have been summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, where officials have complained about "impertinent comments" and "intolerable interference".

The political earthquake set off by Friday's vote prompted US President Barack Obama to say the upheaval showed "Iranian people are not convinced with the legitimacy of the election".
He also urged the Iranian leadership to "unclench its fist."

While the diplomatic concerns are played out around the globe, in Iran, security forces have been detaining scores of protesters and reformists.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, says ambassadors were told it is inappropriate to comment on Iran's internal affairs.

"While the legal mechanisms are in full swing ... how can one express views in contradiction to international norms by certain European officials," he said.
"In no country do we know of cases where a foreign official makes meddlesome or impertinent comments on the internal affairs of another country."
But the White House rejects claims that it is interfering.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Iranians should be able to pick their president.
Ms Clinton has been careful to avoid any appearance of endorsing either Mr Ahmadinejad or his main rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi.

"The people of Iran deserve the right to have their voices heard and their votes counted," she said.
"The outcome of any election should reflect the will of the people and it is for the Iranians to determine how they resolve this internal protest concerning the outcome of the recent election."
'Deviant' news

Media coverage has also been criticised, with authorities continuing their crackdown.
The Revolutionary Guard has warned it will take action against what it calls "deviant" news websites deemed to be creating tension in Iran.

Pro-government political commentator Dr Armani has appeared on state TV to say much of the unrest is actually being organised by western media, such as the BBC and Voice of America.
"Those channels are openly playing the role of command headquarters for all the unrest," he said.
"These are channels such as BBC Persian, VOA and other anti-revolutionary networks. The responsibility for them lies with the American Government."

Students arrested

Activist Hamid Reza Jalaipour says some of the country's brightest university students have been arrested in the past few days.
"They have arrested our children because their only crime is to support Mr Mousavi," he said.
"There is no law and order in this country. Seven to eight men came to my house in plain clothes, didn't show any identification card and took my son away.

"I am desperately trying to find out where my son is."
In the latest show of defiance, six players in Iran's soccer World Cup qualifier in South Korea last night wore green armbands signifying support for Mr Mousavi.

Mr Mousavi has called on the authorities to release all those arrested and he has told his supporters to attend a major gathering tonight in memory of those killed in the past few days
Writer: By Meredith Griffiths for The World Today


Source: ABC News