Iranians celebrate Hassan Rouhani's election as president

[Lite Beer]

Iranians celebrate Hassan Rouhani's election as president

Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets of Tehran, shouting pro-reform slogans and hailing Hassan Rouhani's election as president.

The reformist-backed cleric won just over 50% of the vote and so avoided the need for a run-off.

Mr Rouhani said his win was a "victory of moderation over extremism".

The US expressed concern at a "lack of transparency" and "censorship" but praised the Iranian people and said it was ready to work with Tehran.

Some 72.2% of the 50 million eligible voters cast ballots on Friday to choose the successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei congratulated Mr Rouhani on his victory, saying: "I urge everyone to help the president-elect and his colleagues in the government, as he is the president of the whole nation."

Ayatollah Khamenei will ratify the vote on 3 August and the new president will then take the oath in parliament.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22924038

-- BBC 2013-06-16

[Publicus]

The better reformer of the two dropped out of the race, which in practical terms provided the margin that put Rouhani over the top in the first round, a first round win in almost any country's election being unusual. Rouhani had two big assists by the endorsements of former president Akhbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and former president Mohammad Khatami, both reformers who were stymied by the Ayotollahs who sit on the supreme body, the Guardian Council which selects the candidates for president and the parliament.

It's a good sign that Rouhani supporters were able to gather to celebrate the result, many women pulling off their head scarves.To get a sense of what Iranians are thinking about in this election, consider that the residents of Tehran were chanting the name of Mir Mousavi, the reform candidate who lost the 2009 election. That loss led to the mass protests of the "Green Revolution," which perhaps was a bit ahead of its time.

However, as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator with the West, Rouhani gives no ground on the nuclear issue. So it's two steps forward, three steps back.

Edited June 16, 2013 by Publicus

[Lite Beer]

Reformist Rouhani wins Iran's presidential vote

Tehran - Reformist candidate Hassan Rouhani has won Iran's presidential election with more than 50 per cent of votes, Interior Minister Mohammad Mostafa Najar announced Saturday.

Rouhani outclassed the other five candidates, especially the two close to the establishment: Hardliner Saeid Jalili and conservative Ali-Akbar Velayati.

"I am happy that finally the sun of rationality and moderation shines again in Iran," the president-elect said in a statement. "I will be committed to what I promised the Iranian people and will not stop until the end."

He hoped that the West would now adopt a new approach toward Iran based on mutual respect and fairness.

The White House on Saturday congratulated the Iranian voting public for its "courage."

"Yesterday’s election took place against the backdrop of a lack of transparency, censorship of the media, Internet, and text messages, and an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly," said a White House statement.

"However, despite these government obstacles and limitations, the Iranian people were determined to act to shape their future

-- The Nation 2013-06-16

[geriatrickid]

I really do not understand why this chap is considered a "reformer" or even a moderate. The press is given to wishful thinking. The man shares many of the same positions as those labeled hardliners. All that the election does is buy Iran some more time for it obfuscate and pursue its nuclear munitions plan.

[Ulysses G.]

He is considered a "moderate", compared to the other nuts.

[Scott]

At least no one is using the word enlightened.

[Steely Dan]

Mr Rouhani said his win was a "victory of moderation over extremism".

Well stone me.

[geriatrickid]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

[Publicus]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

Additionally, the text of a Resolution adopted by Canada’s Parliament yesterday takes the new president directly to task:

"Be it Resolved that this House condemns the mass murder of political prisoners in Iran in the summer of 1988 as constituting crimes against humanity, honors the memory of the victims buried in mass graves at Khavaran cemetery and other locations in Iran, and establishes September 1st as a day of solidarity with political prisoners in Iran."

Your move, Ayatollah.

The least he can do for a start is to release Mir Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi as promised. Haven't heard anything about that yet.

Edited June 16, 2013 by Publicus

[Naam]

here we go, that Rohani chap was elected only hours ago, has not taken up office yet, but every Bill, Buck, Hank and Joe "Eyeran" hater comes up with his individual demand.

keep up the good job gentlemen!

[Exsexyman]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

Do you support the decision by the USA to arm the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria? Plunging the region into war? The vast majority of the so called rebels in Syria are not Syrian, they are Jihadists from countries all over the Middle East and beyond, The UK, all over Europe, Libya, Iraq etc. Why are you cheerleading for Al Qaeda? A couple of questions for you. What is the penalty for a US citizen giving material support to Al Qaeda? What is the penalty for a US citizen arming Al Qaeda? If you or i did it where would we end up? Guantanamo Bay? There is a very good reason why Iran are supporting Assad in his fight to rid his country of these terrorists, they know that they are next if the USA get their way. The legitimate Syrian government have as much right to fight Al Qaeda terrorists trying to invade their country as do Israel, the USA and the UK. The Obama administration have clearly lost any moral high ground here, the ends justify the means, never mind if they are using Al Qaeda terrorists as their boots on the ground. Absolutely disgusting, have you seen the footage of the 'rebel' leader who the West are supporting ripping out the internal organs of a Syrian soldier and eating them? Cannibalism? These are the people you are cheerleading for. You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully the Russians are not going to be conned again after Libya, a country where chaos and anarchy reigns after the last misguided Western intervention. They are not going to allow the US to destroy another sovereign country in their never ending quest to establish hegemony in the Middle East. It is coming to something when Putin is recognised by the rest of the world as the only adult in the room.

[F430murci]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

Do you support the decision by the USA to arm the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria? Plunging the region into war? The vast majority of the so called rebels in Syria are not Syrian, they are Jihadists from countries all over the Middle East and beyond, The UK, all over Europe, Libya, Iraq etc. Why are you cheerleading for Al Qaeda? A couple of questions for you. What is the penalty for a US citizen giving material support to Al Qaeda? What is the penalty for a US citizen arming Al Qaeda? If you or i did it where would we end up? Guantanamo Bay? There is a very good reason why Iran are supporting Assad in his fight to rid his country of these terrorists, they know that they are next if the USA get their way. The legitimate Syrian government have as much right to fight Al Qaeda terrorists trying to invade their country as do Israel, the USA and the UK. The Obama administration have clearly lost any moral high ground here, the ends justify the means, never mind if they are using Al Qaeda terrorists as their boots on the ground. Absolutely disgusting, have you seen the footage of the 'rebel' leader who the West are supporting ripping out the internal organs of a Syrian soldier and eating them? Cannibalism? These are the people you are cheerleading for. You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully the Russians are not going to be conned again after Libya, a country where chaos and anarchy reigns after the last misguided Western intervention. They are not going to allow the US to destroy another sovereign country in their never ending quest to establish hegemony in the Middle East. It is coming to something when Putin is recognised by the rest of the world as the only adult in the room.

Putin has been sending sophisticated missiles.

You speak as if the Weat likes or agrees with the rebels. Nope, we don't. Both sides are savages and the West would perhaps just let them off each other until no savages were left if there wasn't a threat to Israel et al.

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

[Asiantravel]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

Do you support the decision by the USA to arm the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria? Plunging the region into war? The vast majority of the so called rebels in Syria are not Syrian, they are Jihadists from countries all over the Middle East and beyond, The UK, all over Europe, Libya, Iraq etc. Why are you cheerleading for Al Qaeda? A couple of questions for you. What is the penalty for a US citizen giving material support to Al Qaeda? What is the penalty for a US citizen arming Al Qaeda? If you or i did it where would we end up? Guantanamo Bay? There is a very good reason why Iran are supporting Assad in his fight to rid his country of these terrorists, they know that they are next if the USA get their way. The legitimate Syrian government have as much right to fight Al Qaeda terrorists trying to invade their country as do Israel, the USA and the UK. The Obama administration have clearly lost any moral high ground here, the ends justify the means, never mind if they are using Al Qaeda terrorists as their boots on the ground. Absolutely disgusting, have you seen the footage of the 'rebel' leader who the West are supporting ripping out the internal organs of a Syrian soldier and eating them? Cannibalism? These are the people you are cheerleading for. You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully the Russians are not going to be conned again after Libya, a country where chaos and anarchy reigns after the last misguided Western intervention. They are not going to allow the US to destroy another sovereign country in their never ending quest to establish hegemony in the Middle East. It is coming to something when Putin is recognised by the rest of the world as the only adult in the room.

Putin has been sending sophisticated missiles.

You speak as if the Weat likes or agrees with the rebels. Nope, we don't. Both sides are savages and the West would perhaps just let them off each other until no savages were left if there wasn't a threat to Israel et al.

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

But I seem to remember you saying in another thread a few weeks ago that neither Russia nor China would get involved or care about what happens to Syria?

Edited June 17, 2013 by Asiantravel

[F430murci]

Iran has announced that it will send 4000 combat troops to Syria to support Assad.

The new Iranian President now has his first tough decision to make. Does he cancel the deployment or allow it to proceed, most likely plunging the region into war.

Do you support the decision by the USA to arm the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria? Plunging the region into war? The vast majority of the so called rebels in Syria are not Syrian, they are Jihadists from countries all over the Middle East and beyond, The UK, all over Europe, Libya, Iraq etc. Why are you cheerleading for Al Qaeda? A couple of questions for you. What is the penalty for a US citizen giving material support to Al Qaeda? What is the penalty for a US citizen arming Al Qaeda? If you or i did it where would we end up? Guantanamo Bay? There is a very good reason why Iran are supporting Assad in his fight to rid his country of these terrorists, they know that they are next if the USA get their way. The legitimate Syrian government have as much right to fight Al Qaeda terrorists trying to invade their country as do Israel, the USA and the UK. The Obama administration have clearly lost any moral high ground here, the ends justify the means, never mind if they are using Al Qaeda terrorists as their boots on the ground. Absolutely disgusting, have you seen the footage of the 'rebel' leader who the West are supporting ripping out the internal organs of a Syrian soldier and eating them? Cannibalism? These are the people you are cheerleading for. You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully the Russians are not going to be conned again after Libya, a country where chaos and anarchy reigns after the last misguided Western intervention. They are not going to allow the US to destroy another sovereign country in their never ending quest to establish hegemony in the Middle East. It is coming to something when Putin is recognised by the rest of the world as the only adult in the room.

Putin has been sending sophisticated missiles.

You speak as if the Weat likes or agrees with the rebels. Nope, we don't. Both sides are savages and the West would perhaps just let them off each other until no savages were left if there wasn't a threat to Israel et al.

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

But I seem to remember you saying in another thread a few weeks ago that neither Russia nor China would get involved or care about what happens to Syria?

Putin cares more about the money from the sale of arms than anything about the people of Syria, but I doubt even Putin would cross the line to compromise whatever relationship it has now with the US. I just got back from Moscow and Novosibirisk and wife still there for another month. Russians seem to like US more than Putin and no one over there cares about or keeps up with Syria. They have their own internal economic issues.

[F430murci]

Do you support the decision by the USA to arm the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria? Plunging the region into war? The vast majority of the so called rebels in Syria are not Syrian, they are Jihadists from countries all over the Middle East and beyond, The UK, all over Europe, Libya, Iraq etc. Why are you cheerleading for Al Qaeda? A couple of questions for you. What is the penalty for a US citizen giving material support to Al Qaeda? What is the penalty for a US citizen arming Al Qaeda? If you or i did it where would we end up? Guantanamo Bay? There is a very good reason why Iran are supporting Assad in his fight to rid his country of these terrorists, they know that they are next if the USA get their way. The legitimate Syrian government have as much right to fight Al Qaeda terrorists trying to invade their country as do Israel, the USA and the UK. The Obama administration have clearly lost any moral high ground here, the ends justify the means, never mind if they are using Al Qaeda terrorists as their boots on the ground. Absolutely disgusting, have you seen the footage of the 'rebel' leader who the West are supporting ripping out the internal organs of a Syrian soldier and eating them? Cannibalism? These are the people you are cheerleading for. You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully the Russians are not going to be conned again after Libya, a country where chaos and anarchy reigns after the last misguided Western intervention. They are not going to allow the US to destroy another sovereign country in their never ending quest to establish hegemony in the Middle East. It is coming to something when Putin is recognised by the rest of the world as the only adult in the room.

Putin has been sending sophisticated missiles.

You speak as if the Weat likes or agrees with the rebels. Nope, we don't. Both sides are savages and the West would perhaps just let them off each other until no savages were left if there wasn't a threat to Israel et al.

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

But I seem to remember you saying in another thread a few weeks ago that neither Russia nor China would get involved or care about what happens to Syria?

Putin cares more about the money from the sale of arms than anything about the people of Syria, but I doubt even Putin would cross the line to compromise whatever relationship it has now with the US. I just got back from Moscow and Novosibirisk and wife still there for another month. Russians seem to like US more than Putin and no one over there cares about or keeps up with Syria. They have their own internal economic issues.

Speaking of Putin, this is so typical of him and most of Russia . . . I can only laugh after having just returned and being married to a Russian.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vladimir-putin-denies-robert-kraft-story-about-patriots-super-bowl-ring-061613

[antfish]

Speaking of Putin, this is so typical of him and most of Russia . . . I can only laugh after having just returned and being married to a Russian.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vladimir-putin-denies-robert-kraft-story-about-patriots-super-bowl-ring-061613

Do Americans really believe that Putin stole that ring?

[chuckd]

Speaking of Putin, this is so typical of him and most of Russia . . . I can only laugh after having just returned and being married to a Russian.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vladimir-putin-denies-robert-kraft-story-about-patriots-super-bowl-ring-061613

Do Americans really believe that Putin stole that ring?

I seriously doubt if any Americans outside the immediate Kraft family really gives a hoot about the ring.

[Publicus]

Obama and Putin had a meeting of the ,er, minds. As expected, nothing came of it.

Putin is still Mr. KGB from the old Soviet Union days. It's good to see he's under a lot of pressure from the other leaders of the G-8. The pressure shows. (Of course Putin's going though a divorce too, which would be much worse than having the other G-8 heads hounding after you.) I think Putin knows he's on an unsustainable path in Syria. He seemed to feel the sword of Damocles hanging over him at the press conference. How much longer can Putin isolate himself from the other G-8 leaders? Putin's never looked so riled and strained as at that press conference. Obama looked completely in charge.

As to a previous poster, it's ridiculous to throw around charges of cannibalism and to try to link alleged cannibalism to the United States. Some people will try anything, say anything, against the United States. That kind of stuff only gets your comments and views immediately dismissed by the vast majority of TVF posters, perhaps 99% of us.

[F430murci]

Speaking of Putin, this is so typical of him and most of Russia . . . I can only laugh after having just returned and being married to a Russian.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/vladimir-putin-denies-robert-kraft-story-about-patriots-super-bowl-ring-061613

Do Americans really believe that Putin stole that ring?

I have no idea. I thought the article was funny. That being said and knowing Russians as I do, I can see him putting it in his pocket and strolling off with his 3 KGB body guards. Russia is an entirely different beast than the US and things function completely different over there. I think many Russians believe Putin ripped off the country for his own benefit in 1990s and has billions socked away . . . so if true, what's a little ring.

Edited June 18, 2013 by F430murci

[Scott]

Some interesting side issues being discussed, however, let's try to stick to the topic.

[F430murci]

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

And that is the way how cultivated intellectuals of the 21st century talk?

Bwah, cultivated intellectuals??? Who talks like that! Oysters and wanna egomaniacs with inferiority complexes are or act cultured. I just tell it that way it is.

[Ulysses G.]

What sux is these little peon countries, culturally, intelectually and mentally incapable of joiining the 21st century, filled with savages and whack jobs creating so many problems for the rest of the world.

And that is the way how cultivated intellectuals of the 21st century talk?

Bwah, cultivated intellectuals??? Who talks like that! Oysters and wanna egomaniacs with inferiority complexes are or act cultured. I just tell it that way it is.

In the particular case, I concur.

[Ulysses G.]

Putins arguments not to deliver weapons to the rebels seems reasonable.

They might seem reasonable if he was not delivering weapons to a government that has killed over 100,000 of its own citizens.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[Steely Dan]

Here is a link detailing the suicide note left by the new Presidents son in protest at his father's extremism.

http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001370.html

Al-Sharq al-Awsat: “I hate your government, your lies, your corruption, your religion,” wrote the future president’s son to his father in his suicide note.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Steely Dan

[Publicus]

Ze Wiemar Republic redux for you, the Islamic Republic of Iran. Economic sanctions led by the West are putting the economy in the dumpster. Iranian economists and ayatollahs are at the controls. You can't have your Islamic Republic and the bomb too. One or both have to go.

You've gotta do better than to lie to everyone, inside and outside your country.


Iran’s Untenable Economy

With spiralling inflation, Iran’s economy is in need of rebalancing. Poor implementation of vital reforms is undermining government claims of success.

http://thediplomat.com/2011/08/05/iran’s-untenable-economy/