Mehdi Karoubi, the Iranian opposition leader, said on Tuesday that the demonstration planned in Tehran next week in solidarity with the protest movements in Egypt and Tunisia is both a test of the Iranian regime and its opponents.So you'll never guess what happened:
Since the Iranian government is painting events in Cairo and elsewhere as the long-awaited regional blossoming of its own Islamic revolution, to deny a permit for such a march would show that their position in support of the Arab movements is fake, Mr. Karoubi, 72, said in a rare interview from Tehran, conducted via a video-Internet link.
Government says only regime supporters can march for EgyptNot that anyone actually thought that the Iranian government's support had anything to do with respect for the will of the people.
Iranian authorities and the opposition continue to battle over the legacy of Tahrir Square, with both sides claiming an affinity with the popular protest movements in Egypt and around the region.
The Iranian judiciary on Wednesday rejected a request by opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karubi to hold a rally Monday in support of the antigovernment uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the Iranian Labor News Agency reported.
"If an individual truly shares the brave Egyptians and Tunisians motivation, then he will participate in the rally to be held on [Friday], the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution's victory, along with the government and the nation," said Iranian Judiciary Spokesman Gholamhoseyn Ezhe'i.
"On the other hand, choosing another day [to hold a rally] means these individuals wish to be in a separate front and will create divisions," he added. "This is a political act but the people have to be aware, and if required, they [people] will respond to them."
After all, after rigging the elections and attacking the throngs who came out to protest--with Iran summarily executing a number of the protest leaders--is what they do.
Besides, it's not as if Obama came out and indicated any support when it came to Iranian protesters.
Technorati Tag: Iran.
The Iranian opposition is dominated by Islamists. The only difference between them and the current regime is the extent to which they want to oppress the people. Should we ever see a genuinely democratic opposition arise in Iran, it will deserve the West's support.
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