[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 6/22/09: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Female #1
Today, supporters of the Iranian opposition will carry black candles with green ribbons. According to information that was posted on the web, young supporters of Iranian reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, are being urged to carry black candles with green ribbons. The source also called on Iranian motorists to turn on their headlights for two hours, in honor of the victims killed in the riots. Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign ministry accused the West of inflaming the violence and inciting what it referred to as “riot instigators.” Parallel to that, the Committee of External Affairs in the Iranian parliament has called on the Foreign Ministry to reconsider its relations with Britain, which Tehran is accusing of interfering in Iranian internal affairs. The Guardian Council of the Constitution has acknowledged that the number of votes cast in 50 cities exceeded the actual number of voters, adding that this wouldn’t change the election result. The Head of the Shiite Religious Authority, Hossein Ali Montazeri, has broken his silence, after calling for three days of national mourning in honor of those killed during the clashes. Montazeri said in a statement published in his official website that “Resisting people's demand is religiously prohibited.” Montazeri, who is one of the founders of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, was toppled by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, Ali Kahmenei .He is currently under house arrest. Yesterday, the waves of protests wound down after the security forces heightened measures in and around Tehran. According to official media sources, more than 10 people were killed, hundreds of others were wounded, and nearly 457 were arrested in protests that erupted on Saturday. This escalation on the ground was met with an escalation in political positions. The defeated reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi called for more protests and for the annulment of election results. The ongoing protests have prompted former Iranian President, Mohammad Kahtemi, to speak out. Meanwhile, the Iranian public is still waiting for former Iranian president, Hashemi Rafsanjani, to issue a statement. Rafsanjani’s daughter, along with 4 other relatives, were released today from prison, after they were arrested on Saturday. Reda al-Basha reports from Tehran

Reporter, Male #1
The Iranian capital of Tehran is sitting in the eye of the political storm. The morning in Tehran is relatively calm, but it rapidly turns to violent protests and clashes between supporters of the defeated reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and the security forces. Many Iranians have been killed or injured in a cycle of violent clashes that are continuing to erupt despite the call for calm by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution. Meanwhile, several Iranian political leaders called for calm, in compliance with the supreme leader’s demand, and blamed foreign powers for the incidents.

Guest, Male #2
Even before the presidential elections, Britain had called for the boycott of elections. However, after failing to do so, they sent special agents to Iran in attempt to derail the election process.

Reporter, Male #1
Meanwhile, reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, escalated his political attack on the Guardian Council of the Constitution, after accusing it of taking sides. Mousavi also called for annulling the election results, and urged his supporters to continue the protests. Some said that Mousavi’s call for protest implies that he doesn’t agree with what the supreme leader has called for in his speech.

Guest, Male #3
The national security forces have issued a warning to Mir Hossein Mousavi to stop issuing inflammatory statements and urging his followers to take to the streets instead of pursuing it through legal channels. This suggests that Mir Hossein Mousavi has lost everything.

Reporter, Male #1
Amidst this, more voices are calling on former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsenjani, who supports Mousavi, to break his silence and take a stand on the issue. Former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatemi, rejected the violence in the streets while demanding the government free the protestors. Khatemi’s statement implies a partial rejection of what the supreme leader has called for in his speech. Outside the usual political equation of Iran, the Iranian front is witnessing an unprecedented and dangerous development: after some political groups expressed implied rejection of what the supreme leader has called for in his speech. Amidst this, the door remains open to unforeseeable future developments. Reda al-Basha Dubai TV, Tehran.

Presenter, Man #1
Iran’s air force has started phase one of defensive air maneuvers in areas of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The planes will perform flights that reach three thousand and six hundred kilometers, as well as aerial refueling. These maneuvers coincided with Israel’s threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and its rejection of Iran’s existence as a technologically developed nation.

Reporter, Man #1
In order to improve Iran’s fighting capability and prepare the fighter planes to perform requested missions, the Iranian air force has started its maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The maneuvers are defensive by nature. Its goal is to prepare and improve the Iranian army’s ability to respond to any enemy targeting the country.

Guest, Man #1
The maneuvers are defensive by nature and its purpose is to improve the capability of our air force. The Israeli aircraft maneuvers will make it necessary for us to improve our defense and countering capability. We will firmly respond to threats from Israel or others. Our airspace is fortified because of our defensive ability. And our air force has achieved self fulfillment in terms of producing fighters and launchers.

Reporter, Man #1
The drills came at a time when Israel announced its refusal for Iran to be technologically strong, repeating its threats to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Guest, Man #2
Israel does not want to see a technologically developed and advanced Iran because a nuclear armed Iran can shake the stability of the region, which is not only a threat to Israel but to the whole world. We have not ruled out the possibility to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel always reserves its right to defend itself from the dangers of Iran’s nuclear weapons.

Reporter, Man #1
Iran’s foreign ministry responded quickly and criticized Israel’s provocation.

Guest, Man #3
The Zionist occupation entity continues its campaign of threatening, provoking and exploiting Iranian riots. The Zionist and foreign hands are clearly plotting a conspiracy against Iran.

Reporter, Man #1
Different models of planes will join the Iranian maneuvers, which will last four days in three stages. During the maneuvers, strategic planes will perform long-distance flights that can reach nearly three thousand and six hundred kilometers, as well as aerial refueling and testing of new locally produced weapons. These planes will also perform long-distance flight at low levels over the waters of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The fighter aircraft will fly at the latitude of seven hundred kilometers using surveillance aircrafts to send signals and data regarding hypothetical threats.

[Summary]

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to crackdown on any street riots.

Iranian security officials say they are investigating the deadly incidents during Saturday’s street protests in Tehran. Tehran’s police chief, ‎Ahmad Reza Radan, says that police have not shot or killed anyone during the rallies. Saturday’s post-election riots claimed at least thirteen lives in the capital city. The government claims that the casualties took place after terrorists infiltrated the rallies. Armed terrorists set fire to one, mosque, two gas stations, and also attacked a military base. It has been reported that hundreds of people have been arrested.

Tehran had its second day of calm on Monday, after Tehran police prevented any new protests.

Iran MPs are criticizing the UK’s interference with the countries internal affairs, saying that the west is once again meddling in Iran’s affairs.

Presenter, MALE #1:
Clashes erupted between Iranian protesters and anti-riot forces in Firdous square and the outskirts of Haftimteri, where the security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds. This comes as groups supporting the candidate, Mir Hussein Mousavi, called for a public strike on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Mousavi encouraged his supporters to continue the protests. Ali Shakhroui, the head of the Judges Committee, viewed Mousavi’s call for protests as paving the way, legally, for pursuing him.

Reporter, MALE #2:
Candle lit marches have been held in Tehran and other cities in solidarity with the victims, most of whom died from security forces gunfire. The reform candidate, Mir Hussein Mousavi, gave his sixth speech to the Iranian protesters, who took to the streets to continue the protesters despite warnings from the Revolutionary Guards that they would respond with force, saying that their protests are illegal. The arrests continued non-stop, especially of young people who were dressed in all black. Meanwhile, there was a public pronouncement to hold a public strike on Tuesday after Mousavi said that Iranians have the constitutional right to protest what he called lies and fraud. Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Parliament, called for a televised debate between Mousavi and the president, whose term has ended, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Meanwhile, a number of religious leaders in Kom called for annulling the results of the elections. Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani, said that the opposition should not always be blamed, hinting that he has a lot to say about this subject, but will not speak now. The Iranian government has escalated its rhetoric against the West, especially Britain. It held a closed meeting between the Foreign Minister and the Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission. Leaks indicate that Tehran intends to expel some Western ambassadors.

Guest, MALE #3:
Many western countries and America are supporting some of the rioters and are fishing in murky waters rather than calling for people to work within the mechanisms of democracy and adhering to the law.

Reporter, MALE #2:
The Revolutionary Guards warned Western countries against supporting, whom they described as saboteurs, saying that they will take revolutionary action against those who try to shake the regime. This position comes as sources are talking about steps being taken behind the scenes to end the crisis away from blood shed and what could have counterproductive results on the public’s relationship with the regime. They refer to Mousavi, former president, Mohammed Khatami and many religious leaders of Kom. However, there are many people, who are increasing tensions and calling for prosecuting Mousavi under the pretext that his statements go against the national and public interests. This is what the head of the judges committee in the Parliament said. Najah Mohammed Ali. Alarabiya.

Presenter, MALE #1:
In an Iranian television interview, spokesman for the Guardian Council Abbas Ali Kadkhodaie, said the number of votes collected in 50 cities was higher than the number of eligible voters by 3 million. He said that the Guardian Council found that there was vote stuffing in 50 cities and that was 100 percent more than the number of voters. He added that the Guardian Council will decide whether these numbers played a decisive role in the final results.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
Violent clashes erupted inside the green line between the Israeli police and demonstrators from various Druze and Sharkas villages in front of the Israeli government building in Western Jerusalem. Demonstrators gathered to protest the Israeli government’s ban on transferring the necessary funds to Arab Druze and Sharkas village municipalities. These municipalities are suffering from a suffocating financial crisis that threatens to collapse the local authorities. Ilyas Karam monitors the developments in Western Jerusalem in the following report.

Reporter, MALE #1:
As soon as the demonstration started it was transformed into clashes with members of the police, who amassed in front of the Israeli prime ministers building. The clashes required reinforcements of anti-riot forces to disperse the demonstrators. There were many people wounded on both sides. Many of the demonstrators were arrested. The demonstrations come after the consequences of a financial crisis that has negatively affected the Druze and Sharkas authorities in the Galilee inside the green line. This led them to protest the Israeli government’s failure to provide the necessary funding to save them from completely collapsing.

Guest, MALE #2:
We suffer from lack of education funds. Lack of social security. We don’t have any salaries. We are not going to end the day of protest. We are not ashamed of demanding what we want, all of our rights.

Reporter, MALE #1:
The anger of the demonstrators revealed a deep divide in the relations between the Druze and the Israeli government. It also revealed that Israel is denying them their civil rights, which it promised them in exchange for their military service, which was forced on the Druze in the 50s. The Druze are calling to reject it.

Guest, MALE #3:
Of course, we are against the service. We are against the service because this country doesn’t deserve it. There are no rights. For 61 years they have been dictating it on us. They displaced us from our lands. There are no salaries. The entire country is closed. There is no water. There is nothing.

Guest, MALE #4:
They want us to be mercenaries in the Israeli Defense Army and the security arms. However, we will not allow this. More than 50 percent of our youth prefer jail over military service.

Guest, MALE #5:
They are saying we are equal. But only in death. There are no civilian rights, social rights, nothing.

Reporter, MALE #1:
The past few years witnessed an increase in the number of Druze youth, who are refusing to enter military service. Some say that this increase is a result of national awareness. Others say this is the result of dissatisfaction towards Israel denying them their rights. One of these young boys is an Arab from Bayt Jan village in the Galilee. He refused to serve in the occupation and refused to raise a gun in the face of his fellow Arabs and Palestinians.

Guest, MALE #6:
It’s because of principles and family. I have relatives in Syria and Lebanon, who I can’t point a gun at them.

Reporter, MALE #1:
Israel is trying to oblige its Arab citizens to acknowledge the country as a Jewish state, pledge allegiance to its flag, and it links giving people their rights with their duties. It does not offer the Arab Druze anything. They suffer what other Arab villages suffer, from shortages in funds, land confiscation and the demolition of homes. Some describe their situation as being Jewish in terms of their service but Arab in terms of being denied their rights.

Presenter, Woman #1
In Al Bira, the families of political prisoners held in Israeli jails held a sit-in, organized by the high commission on the prisoners’ affairs, Outside the International Red-Cross office in al-Bira, in solidarity with the political prisoners, and to protest Israel’s decision to tighten arbitrary measures against them. This comes after the failure of the prisoner exchange deal. The sit in was held in solidarity with the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Ahmed Sa’adat who is on a hunger strike.

Guest, Woman #1
We decided to participate in the sit-in in order to demand that the Israeli authorities do not force our prisoners to wear orange clothes. We can barley tolerate the brown clothes they have to wear, but it is painful for us to see them wearing orange clothes. They want to make them look like war criminals.

Guest, Woman #2
They don’t allow me to visit them and we are unable to help his brothers visit him. He has been in prison for four years and none of his brothers has been able to visit him. They do not give them permission to visit him.

Presenter, Female #1
The Iraqi Ministry of the Interior announced the arrest of one of its employees who was involved in human rights violations in some of the ministries prisons. The ministries spokesperson, Abdul Kareem Khalaf, said that the individual who was arrested identified ten other associates involved in these violations. He indicated that the ministry will take the necessary legal measures against the suspects if the evidence proves their involvement. Khalaf added that the committee that was formed to investigate the violation is waiting for the results of the medical tests that were conducted on the detainees in order to present them as evidence along with their statements and the marks found on their bodies. Meanwhile, Hasan Al Sadr, the foreign relations representative at Al Sadr Movement said that the parliamentary committee that previously visited the Rusafa Prison was subjected to pressure and harassment to not expose the violations that took place and currently take place in the prison. He demanded, in a statement made on Al Sharqiya, to publicly disclose the immoral violations against the detainees and not to cover-up the actions of the parties involved in carrying out the violations.

Guest, Male #1
The issue of the detainees has existed for one year. An Iraqi parliamentary delegation visited the Rasafa prison many months ago and made a 40min film documenting the heinous practices, sexual and physical abuse, and some of the prisoner’s deplorable health conditions. This film was shown to the heads of the Iraqi parliament but it was not shown to the public for fear from a backlash. The visiting members of parliament were exposed to quarrels, harassment, selective attacks. They were deprived from entering the prison though the constitution gives them the right to do so and to interview all the prisoners. This took one month and there is a step being taken, God willing, in the coming days that a new delegation will visit this prison to see the conditions of the prisoners and to interview them. We demand that this parliamentary delegation, to not be harassed in any way. We are also demanding that the requests of the prisoners be honored immediately.