THE OBAMA administration has rejected Republican criticism that it has failed to offer enough support to Iranians protesting against the outcome of the recent presidential election.
Deputy secretary of state Jim Steinberg said yesterday President Barack Obama condemned the brutal repression of street protests in Iran but stressed the dispute over the election was for Iranians to resolve: “It’s very important if this is to be an issue for Iranians to decide that all voices should be heard, that the process should be fair, that the people should be allowed to express their opinions.”
The violent suppression of demonstrations in Iran has increased pressure on Mr Obama to be more outspoken and to express the US administration’s support for the protesters. In an interview with CBS News yesterday, the president issued his strongest expression of support for the demonstrators.
“ 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 seeking justice. And the world is watching. And we stand behind those who are seeking justice in a peaceful way,” he said. “Already we’ve seen violence out there. 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 I’m very concerned, based on some of the tenor and tone of the statements that have been made, that the government of Iran recognise that the world is watching.”
The White House is reluctant to be seen to meddle in Iran’s internal affairs, not least because of the CIA’s role in toppling the democratically elected government of Mohammed Mossadeq in 1953. The administration also fears any expression of US support could be used to discredit protesters within Iran.
“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,” Mr Obama said.
“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’re already seeing. 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.”
Republican senator Lindsay Graham condemned the president’s response to events in Iran as “timid and passive”, pointing out the leaders of France and Germany had been more robust in criticising the regime in Tehran.
“He’s certainly moving in the right direction, but . . . there’s a monumental event going on in Iran and, you know, the president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it,” Mr Graham said. “Other nations have been more outspoken so I hope we’ll hear more of this because young men and women taking to the streets in Tehran need our support. The signs are in English. They’re basically asking for us to speak up on their behalf.”