Eldercato's Blog

The Green Brief link is below:

http://iran.whyweprotest.net/showthread.php?p=8091#post8091

Below is a link to a transcript in which US Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answers questions from reporters about Iran.

http://govne.ws/item/Briefing-by-White-House-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs-6-18-09

Text of Obama Comments on Iran During Interview with John Harwood:

Well, I think first of all, it’s important to understand that although there is amazing ferment taking place in Iran, that the difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as has been advertised. Either way, we were going to be dealing with an Iranian regime that has historically been hostile to the United States, that has caused some problems in the neighborhood and is pursuing nuclear weapons. And so we’ve got long-term interests in having them not weaponize nuclear power and stop funding organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. And that would be true whoever came out on top in this election.

The second thing that I think’s important to recognize is that the easiest way for reactionary forces inside Iran to crush reformers is to say it’s the US that is encouraging those reformers. So what I’ve said is, `Look, it’s up to the Iranian people to make a decision. We are not meddling.’ And, you know, ultimately the question that the leadership in Iran has to answer is their own credibility in the eyes of the Iranian people. And when you’ve got 100,000 people who are out on the streets peacefully protesting, and they’re having to be scattered through violence and gunshots, what that tells me is the Iranian people are not convinced of the legitimacy of the election. And my hope is that the regime responds not with violence, but with a recognition that the universal principles of peaceful expression and democracy are ones that should be affirmed. Am I optimistic that that will happen? You know, I take a wait-and-see approach. Either way, it’s important for the United States to engage in the tough diplomacy around those permanent security concerns that we have–nuclear weapons, funding of terrorism. That’s not going to go away, and I think it’s important for us to make sure that we’ve reached out.

Hundreds of people have been arrested in Tehran and taken to Evin, a high-securty prison infamous for its political prisoner’s wing after the 1979 Revolution. Since the protests were largely peaceful, it is unclear whether the arrested are protestors or activists responding to the media shut-down.

Time — Location — Address

NOW — LONDON — 16 Princes Gate (Iranian Embassy)
5pm, Tonight — VIENNA — Vienna Heroes Square
7pm, Tonight — TORONTO
4pm, Wednesday — BERLIN — Foreign Office, Berlin-mitte, Werderscher Markt
5-9pm, Wednesday — LISBON — Largo do Chiado
6-8pm, Wednesday — COLOGNE, GERMANY — Kölner dom
8pm, Wednesday — MADRID — Iranian Embassy
Wed & Thurs — DUBAI — Iranian Embassy

Many of these cities had protests yesterdays. Check their local newspaper websites for updates. Here is Toronto’s: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/650762.

There is no evidence of Iranian army moving into Tehran. Russian ties still possible.

There are high numbers of police at the rallies. Situation at Rashd is very calm.

Most Western news sources are still a few steps behind, but www.CNN.com/iran was just launched.

As the army advances on Tehran pro-Mousavi protesters are split between fear that they will be targeted and assurance that the Army has opposed Ahmadinejads orders. The world can only hope that there is not increased bloodshed because of the army today.

In an ironic turn of events Russian Television reporters were wearing green in support of the Green Revolution in Iran. Medvedev also says he ‘did not have time’ to meet with Ahmadinejad

Twitter (Oxfordgirl) The support of Ayatollahs for Ahmadinejad is falling away, they see his ambitions may end in their deaths.

The Army is still advancing on Tehran.

Moscow Reporters are wearing green in solidairty with Mousavi supporters and the Green Revolution.

There are confirmed reports of the Army moving into Tehran against protesters. One can only hope that they do not use a show of force and that their presence causes a decrease in violence because if it doesn’t there will be much blood shed today.

There are reports that BBC Persian has gone black. This is still being confirmed.