Sunday, February 13, 2011

Turning Egypt on Iran

"Uprising heralds end of US influence, Iran says" by Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press / February 12, 2011

TEHRAN — Iran’s president declared yesterday that Egypt’s uprising shows a new Middle East is emerging that will doom Israel and break free of American “interference,’’ even as Tehran clamps down harder on its own domestic opposition movement....

In Iran’s calculation, the revolt against President Hosni Mubarak equals a blow to US influence in the region and carries echoes of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, which deposed the Western-allied monarchy and brought hard-line clerics to power.

Related: Iranian Inspiration

Iran has been highly critical of Egypt’s regime for its pro-US policies and peace pact with Israel.

At the same time, Iranian authorities have been pushed into a corner by their support for the Egyptian uprising.

Iranian opposition groups have called for marches on Monday to express solidarity with Egypt’s demonstrators. Iranian officials consider it a backdoor attempt to revive antigovernment demonstrations and have warned of sharp crackdowns on efforts to return to the streets.

White House national security spokesman Tommy Vietor denounced Iran’s “hypocrisy’’ for claiming to support Egypt’s people while smothering internal voices of dissent.  

It takes one to know one, right?

Tens of thousands marched down Tehran’s main boulevard in state-organized rallies, some chanting in support of Egypt’s antigovernment protesters.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking before Mubarak resigned, urged Egyptian protesters to persevere....

Last week, Egypt’s foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, turned the tables on Iran. He said Iranian officials should listen to the calls from within their own country rather than “distracting the Iranian people’s attention by hiding behind what is happening in Egypt.’’

I'm not saying AmeriKan media coverage was not warranted; however, THAT ADVICE SHOULD BE APPLIED HERE!!!!

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