Coup d’état in Iran?

By Jennifer J. Foster

Published: June 17, 2009

CNN has a story up with now titled, “Iranian-Americans say history is at hand.“ It talks about how, even if Iranian Presidnet Mahmoud Ahmadenijad is able to withstand the reformists’ challenge of his leadership and the questions shrouding the presidential election last week, Iran will never be the same.

It appears that history may be closer at hand than the CNN editors knew when they wrote that headline.

Anchors on a television newscast (see it on YouTube) have announced the following about Ahmadenijad challenger Hossein Moussavi:

Ladies and gentlemen, Friday, 12th of June; late night in Tehran: The Committee of Elections told Mr. Moussavi that he was elected with the majority of the votes, and so he should write his speech.

In other words: Moussavi wins. Ahmadinejad loses.

The announcers report that government agents loyal to Ahmadinejad then stormed the building serving as the headquarters of the opposition and declared that they would not allow this revolution to happen, in effect staging a coup d’état. In addition, she says, the Ahmadinejad regime has “completely forbidden” the gathering of any more than four people in Iran.

The announcer goes on to make an impassioned plea to the international community to not recognize the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad’s purported re-election. The Iranian people, she says, do not want nuclear weapons; they want peace, and they are ready for democracy. They have demonstrated these desires through their votes, she says, but their voices have not been heard. They are being stifled and smothered by the ruling regime.

The announcer bottom-lines this situation for members of the international community who may be waffling on their reactions to the goings-on in Iran (read: The Obama Administration): Recognition of Ahmadinejad and his re-election constitutes the rejection of the expressed desire of the Iranian people.

Is that clear enough for you, President Obama?

It is astounding that the president and his administration have taken such a cautionary stance on this issue. Moussavi was widely expected to perform well, and perhaps even beat, Ahmadinejad; instead, the official results returned a 2 to 1 victory for Ahmadinejad. What’s wrong with this picture?

Americans, take note of the latest demonstration of the power of democracy, and why we cannot take it for granted in our country. View the photo at 2:27 in the YouTube clip if you are a visual person and need a reminder.

President Obama, walk the democratic walk. Support the reformists in Iran.