June 19, 2009
Obama: Iran Protestors "Seeking Justice"
President Talks To Harry Smith About Demonstrations, U.S. Involvement
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Play CBS Video Video Obama's Message To Iran CBS News Exclusive: Harry Smith speaks with U.S. President Barack Obama about the current series of massive protests in Iran. Mr. Obama also addresses criticisms over his alleged silence on this issue.
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(CBS)
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Who's Who Iran's Election: Key Players A look at the most important figures in Iran's contested presidential election.
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In-Depth Obama Presidency Photos, major events and key personalities in the Obama administration.
Q: Let's move on to news of the day. The Ayatollah Khamenei gave his - speech today and gave his sermon. He said that the election in Iran was, in fact, legitimate. He said, quote/unquote, "the street - street demonstrations are unacceptable." Do you have a message for those people in the street?
A: I absolutely do. Well, first of all, let's understand that this notion that somehow these hundreds of thousands of people who are pouring into the streets in Iran are somehow responding to the West or the United States. that's an old distraction that I think has been trotted out periodically. And that's just not gonna fly.
What you're seeing in Iran are hundreds of thousands of people who believe their voices were not heard and who are peacefully protesting and - and seeking justice. And the world is watching. And we stand behind those who are seeking justice in a peaceful way. And, you know, already we've seen violence out there. I think I've said this throughout the week. I want to repeat it that we stand with those who would look to peaceful resolution of conflict, and we believe that the voices of people have to be heard, that that's a universal value that the American people stand for and this administration stands for.
And I'm very concerned based on some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made that the government of Iran recognize that the world is watching. And how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to be heard will, I think, send a pretty clear signal to the international community about what Iran is - and is not.
But the last point I want to make on this - this is not an issue of the United States or the West versus Iran. This is an issue of the Iranian people. The fact that they are on the streets under pretty severe duress, at great risk to themselves, is a sign that there's something in that society that wants to open up.
And, you know, we respect Iran's sovereignty. And we respect the fact that ultimately the Iranian people have to make these decisions. But I hope that the world understands that this is not something that has to do with the outside world. This has to do with what's happening in Iran. And, I think ultimately the Iranian people, will obtain justice.
Q: People in this country say you haven't said enough, that you haven't been forceful enough in your support for those people in the street, and which you say?
A: To which I say the last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States. That's what they do. That's what we've already seen. We shouldn't be playing into that. There should be no distractions from the fact that the Iranian people are seeking to let their voices be heard.
Now, what we can do is bear witness and say to the world that the, you know, incredible demonstrations that we've seen is a testimony to, I think what Dr. King called the the arc of the moral universe. It's long but it bends towards justice.
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See all 68 CommentsBoth we here in America, as well as the rest of the world over, are taking note of the protesters being beaten in the streets of Iran. And we all know this is wrong and want to see it stop immediately. I believe the people of Iran should have another election, and this time, it should be monitored by both sides, to know it was a fair election.
With all of this said, I say again, President Obama is right not to interfere in Iran or any other country's political affairs. We: (America) would never stand for Iran etc., to interfere with our election process, which has come under question to many of us a number of times lately! And I don't see any other country such as England, France, Italy, even Russia denouncing Iran's actions, but the GOP and American Conservatives are pushing for a fight, saying Pres. Obama should take a harder stance toward Iran's govt. We don't police or run the entire world. And no one has given the US the authority to make another country do anything.
So to the GOP Talk-Heads, such as John McCain, I say "knock it off, and if things had been done John McCain's way, America would be at war right now with Russia over a little place called..... Georgia !
Remember J. McCain said "We should confront it!" when it came to Russia's move into Georgia back around 7 or 8 months ago during the campaign. But that entire situation has now been settled without America's involvement or interference. Thank You !
CNN: What should the United States do?
Zakaria: I would say continue what we have been doing. By reaching out to Iran, publicly and repeatedly, President Obama has made it extremely difficult for the Iranian regime to claim that they are battling an aggressive America bent on attacking Iran. In his inaugural address, his New Year greetings, and his Cairo speech, there is a consistent effort to convey respect and friendship for Iranians. That is why Khamenei reacted so angrily to the New Year greeting. It undermined the image of the Great Satan that he routinely paints in his sermons. In his Friday sermon, Khamenei said that the United States, Israel, and especially the United Kingdom were behind the street protests, an accusation that will surely sound ridiculous to most Iranians. The fact that Obama has been cautious in his reaction makes it all the harder for Khamenei and Ahmadinejad to wrap themselves in a nationalist flag.
CNN: But shouldn't we be more vocal in our support for the Iranian protesters?
Zakaria: I think a good historic analogy is President George H.W. Bush's cautious response to the cracks in the Soviet empire in 1989. Then, many neo-conservatives were livid with Bush for not loudly supporting those trying to topple the communist regimes in Eastern Europe. But Bush's concern was that the situation was fragile. Those regimes could easily crack down on the protestors and the Soviet Union could send in tanks. Handing the communists reasons to react forcefully would help no one, least of all the protesters. Bush's basic approach was correct and has been vindicated by history.
CNN: What should the United States do?
Zakaria: I would say continue what we have been doing. By reaching out to Iran, publicly and repeatedly, President Obama has made it extremely difficult for the Iranian regime to claim that they are battling an aggressive America bent on attacking Iran. In his inaugural address, his New Year greetings, and his Cairo speech, there is a consistent effort to convey respect and friendship for Iranians. That is why Khamenei reacted so angrily to the New Year greeting. It undermined the image of the Great Satan that he routinely paints in his sermons. In his Friday sermon, Khamenei said that the United States, Israel, and especially the United Kingdom were behind the street protests, an accusation that will surely sound ridiculous to most Iranians. The fact that Obama has been cautious in his reaction makes it all the harder for Khamenei and Ahmadinejad to wrap themselves in a nationalist flag.
CNN: But shouldn't we be more vocal in our support for the Iranian protesters?
Zakaria: I think a good historic analogy is President George H.W. Bush's cautious response to the cracks in the Soviet empire in 1989. Then, many neo-conservatives were livid with Bush for not loudly supporting those trying to topple the communist regimes in Eastern Europe. But Bush's concern was that the situation was fragile. Those regimes could easily crack down on the protestors and the Soviet Union could send in tanks. Handing the communists reasons to react forcefully would help no one, least of all the protesters. Bush's basic approach was correct and has been vindicated by history.
Hmmmm, I just got thinking about that. I wonder if it disappeared because he got banned? : )
by erasmus111 June 20, 2009 9:32 AM PDT
Great post!
Ok, something needs to be done about this website! It SUCKS!
I copied and pasted "by stuart2021 June 19, 2009 7:27 PM PDT" and since I have done that, his whole FREAKIN' post has disappeared!!!
Great post!
All Repig Sheeple , led by Cheney, Gingrich and the Fix News Shy--t Stirrers,. At precisely 12;00 noon Sunday 'ALL' sheeple Repig's look to the South and Bend way over , "I said way over, grab ankles and say a prayer to Beelzebub , as usual and thank him for creating Boss Hog.
YOU think we should have IMPOSED the will of OUR people on those in Iran. We should have used OUR military to keep a DICTATOR in power because he sided with us? YOU are truly SICK!
They are not only sick, they are stupid and frightened. Whenever they are faced with anything that could result in danger they seem to loose their composure and begin to flail about like a bunch of sissys.
The last thing we need to do is to follow the republican ideas. They are so scared that they want to attack everyone at the slightest harsh rhetoric.
OBAMA RUNS FROM IRAN!!!
I always thought our colors (flag) never runs?however obama proved me wrong!!!
obama reaction : i ran!!!! (IRAN)
republicans are so afraid they start so defecate in their pants when dictators threaten.
Don't be so frightened, no attack is imminent.
Hate to tell you, everyone in America was re-naming fries, not Republicans....it's only after you libs wanted to re-gain power, that you began to undermine the troops and the operation....for your own party's selfish political gain, you exploited America's suffering....Thanks
We would still have the Bush failed economic policy and the "do nothing" policy.
Palin would be out there whipping the goobers into a hate frenzy.
Yeah, that would be good. Real good.
You idiot.
In my opinion he is doing the right thing. It's not our place to police the world. There is alot that needs to be corrected in the world that bush/chaney ruined.
The erosion of American values did not begin with this President but they will erode faster and with more fury than in recent history. Most thought that it was GREAT that he practiced constitutional law, keep in mind that also means he is aware if how to step around it.
The erosion of American values did not begin with this President but they will erode faster and with more fury than in recent history. Most thought that it was GREAT that he practiced constitutional law, keep in mind that also means he is aware if how to step around it.
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