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Obama Should Support Iran's Reformers

Let Mousavi know the US is there for them, ex-Bush officials advise

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2009 8:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Whether or not Iran’s protests coalesce into a full-scale revolt, it seems clear that the Iranian people would like to change their totalitarian government. Barack Obama should help them do it, Bush administration officials Dan Senor and Christian Whiton write in the Wall Street Journal. He could start by calling Mir Hossein Mousavi and expressing his support, and issuing another video to the people, this time offering reformers whatever help they request.

Obama should also take steps to give reformers a voice. He should increase funding for Radio Farda, a Persian version of Radio Free Europe, and work with his friends in Silicon Valley to bust the mullahs’ firewalls. “Helping the Iranian people change a government they appear to loathe will not reduce American standing in the world,” Senor and Whiton argue. Indeed, failing to engage the reformers “would not only be a travesty, but tactically foolish.”

In this frame grab taken from amateur video, supporters of Iranian reformist opposition leader Mir Hossien Mousavi demonstrate in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday June 16, 2009.
In this frame grab taken from amateur video, supporters of Iranian reformist opposition leader Mir Hossien Mousavi demonstrate in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday June 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/APTN, Amateur Video)
Iranians  take part in a demonstration near the Iranian embassy in Paris, Tuesday June 16, 2009, protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Iran.
Iranians take part in a demonstration near the Iranian embassy in Paris, Tuesday June 16, 2009, protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Iran.   (AP Photo/Laurent Emmanuel)
A young woman shouts slogans during a protest against presidential election results in Iran near the Iranian embassy in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, June 16, 2009.
A young woman shouts slogans during a protest against presidential election results in Iran near the Iranian embassy in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, June 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
A woman takes part to a demonstration of Iranians near the Iranian embassy in Paris, Tuesday June 16, 2009, protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Iran.
A woman takes part to a demonstration of Iranians near the Iranian embassy in Paris, Tuesday June 16, 2009, protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Iran.   (AP Photo/Laurent Emmanuel)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Shannonals
Jun 17, 2009 3:59 AM CDT
Dan Senor and Christian Whiton should sit at their desk at the Wall Street Journal and think about things properly before putting it in print. What they are advising would give extremist another example of the United States interfering in another Islamic country. I heard FOX news and Sen McCain say the same exact thing two night ago, and thought it sounded silly than, and my opinion hasn't changed any.
sache
Jun 17, 2009 3:06 AM CDT
Obama is taking the correct position. Listening , observing and treading lightly. One day at a time to see how to best help the cause for a fair election. The US cannot jump in willy-nilly shoving it's weight around. Delicate situation here. Helping without trying to run the show.
EddyTeach
Jun 17, 2009 2:09 AM CDT
It would be in our interest to have Mousavi in power-- however, because the US and UK have been so intrusive in past Iranian shifts in power, I realize that we need to continue the path Obama is treading now. We should support a fair election, condemn acts of violence or vandalism, and ensure that the man with the most votes wins. Besides, if we do all this, I'm positive that Mousavi would win anyway, he has mass appeal in Iran.

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