Main focus of Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The world condemns violence in Iran

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards violently dispersed thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Tehran on Monday. Voices from Europe and around the world condemn the move by the Iranian government and show solidarity with the opposition.

Delo - Slovenia

Europe has unanimously condemned the violence against demonstrators in Iran. Never have the EU member states shown such consensus, writes the daily Delo: "French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the head of European foreign policy Javier Solana on Monday unanimously criticised the violence against demonstrators in Tehran. Can you infer from that that European foreign policy has taken an important step forward? Several foreign ministers have also announced they will abide by the Czech call for protests at Iranian embassies in the countries of Europe. ... Nevertheless Europe's role as a mouthpiece for the international community on Iran may still prove delicate, should the government step up the violence against demonstrators. In that case aside from a basic condemnation of the violence it must also condemn the very nature of the regime. Can Europe live up to such a task?" (23/06/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Elections, » Europe, » Iran
All available articles from » Veso Stojanov

Delfi - Estonia

The news portal Delfi criticises the lack of open support for Iran in Estonia: "People are fighting on the street in Tehran, the army is shooting at demonstrators and the calls for democracy are growing in strength. And what is Estonia doing? You can't even say we are looking on in silence. Because Estonia isn't doing a thing, although it wasn't so long ago at all that solidarity demonstrations for Tibet were held in Tallinn. But clearly few people in this backwater understand what repercussions a change of regime in Iran could have on power structures the world over. And even if it doesn't come to a change of power, the Iranians still have the same rights as all the other people we have supported over the years. What is the difference between the Iranians' demands for democracy and those of the Ukrainians or the Georgians? One can't help getting the unpleasant impression that we Estonians have a double standard in viewing the world." (23/06/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Estonia, » Iran

Blog Ivo Indjev - Bulgaria

Bulgarian blogger Ivo Indyev compares the death of 19-year-old Iranian Neda Soltan with the death of other freedom fighters like the anonymous Chinese students who defied the tanks on Tiananmen Square in 1989: "Her name is Neda. The girl who died in a pool of blood on a street in Tehran, shot by 'custodians of the law' during a demonstration against the tyranny of the clerical Islamic regime. Neda stood up against them, not even wearing the obligatory headscarf. … Her death has stirred the minds of those who support the cause of freedom for which she died. All over the world [solidarity] demonstrations are taking place - and where are we?" (23/06/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Social movements, » Iran

Le Temps - Switzerland

The Swiss daily Le Temps comments on the role of US President Barack Obama against the backdrop of the crisis in Iran: "His unfortunate words which seemed to play down the importance of this revolt took the place of direct language last weekend. It is the baptism of fire for the American president. The time has come to give up a methodically implemented strategy and make way for the unexpected. But can Obama really do more? Today everyone agrees that strong intervention on the part of the US would only hurt the interests of Mir-Hossein Mousavi's supporters. But what if others were to capitalise on the American's non-intervention to speak with louder voices?" (23/06/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Elections, » Iran
All available articles from » Luis Lema

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