Iran reformists resign

[democratic]

More than likely 15-20% voted in the entire country. Government, military, etc.. are forced to vote by mandate.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/2A08DA9D-7C02-461B-9CC5-BC18BA104DED.htm

Iran reformists resign

Monday 23 February 2004, 19:45 Makka Time, 16:45 GMT


Scuffles broke out in the Iranian parliament as reformist MPs began resigning one by one following a win by hardliners in Friday's elections.

There were heated exchanges on Monday as the MPs, whose mandate ends in May, blasted on Friday's polls as rigged and accused hardliners of seeking to impose an Islam similar to that of Afghanistan's ousted Taliban.

"I resign," said female reformist MP Fatemeh Haghighatjou, "because a staged, unfair and uncompetitive election was held with the aim of yielding an obedient Majlis (parliament)."

"They do not want a republic, but a Taliban-style Islam," she charged.

'Gap'

Another reformist MP, Muhammad Kianoush-Rad, said the 50.57% turnout - an all-time low for a parliamentary poll in the 25-year history of the Islamic republic - showed a "deepening of the current gap between the people and the regime."

And Bahaodin Adab, an ethnic Kurdish MP, spoke of reformists
being targeted by increasing threats.

"We are getting threatening phone calls home to our families, so are you expecting us to come here sit and discuss the budget?" He told Majlis speaker Mehdi Karoubi that outgoing deputies "have no security."

EU's 'deep regret'


The turnout in Friday's elections
was 50.57%


Also on Monday, EU foreign ministers expressed "deep regret" after Iranian elections from which most reformist candidates were barred.

The ministers voiced their "deep regret and disappointment that a large number of candidates were prevented from standing, thus making a genuine democratic choice by the Iranian people impossible," according to a draft statement on Monday.

"This interference was a setback for the democratic process in Iran," the statement added, cited by diplomats attending regular ministerial talks in Brussels.

The European Union has been pursuing a twin-track dialogue with Iran based on trade and human rights issues. But the talks have been on hold since June because of EU concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

[strategery blunder]

1. I'm surprised that with all the rhetoric...

of "promoting democracy," the US has basically ignored this. Maybe Rove told Bush no more war until after the next election. Another reason to vote the repukes out--if Bush wins, Iran is the next American colony.

Of course, what the regime here doesn't realize is that there are peaceful ways to encourage countries to have free and fair elections...but after Florida, we probably should let the EU handle it.