Disappointed by the ineffectiveness of the government of Khatami from 1997 to 2004 in carrying out its reform agenda, the Iranians in their majority did not go to the polls in the presidential elections of 2005, and as a result -- Ahmadinejad with a very low participation of voters became president. Taking this lesson, the Iranians decided to vote in mass to an alternative candidate to say NON to Ahmadinajad's government under which unemployment, inflation and insecurity tripled and the country was brought to the brink of war with the United States. The turnout was further stimulated by the organisation of a week-long TV debates between the candidates broadcasted in direct. A high turnout was necessary for the regime to show off its legitimacy. The Iranians went massively to the polls on 12 June for change but their votes were blatantly ignored and as per magic stick Ahmadinejad came out of the ballot box. The government announced Ahmadinejad gaining 62% of the votes two hours after the end of the voting long before the completion of the counting, which was manual.

What is happening in Iran for over two decades now is a movement within the regime to establish a purely Islamic rule on the Taliban model (the hardliners do not want 'Islamic Republic' as the Constitution stipulates but only an "Islamic" power.) They want to remove all pseudo-democratic provisions of the constitution (such as the elections, the parliament, the city councils, etc, even though they have a very limited and restrained function in Iran) and to create an absolute Islamic power.

This would mean that if they achieve this goal, and so far they have been successful by eliminating all divergent opinions within the regime (like Rafsanjani -- twice president and once head of the parliament-, Khatami --twice president, and Moussavi -- prime minister during the Iran-Iraq war), they would not content themselves with Iran. They believe that the Hidden Imam -- or simply their faith -- has commissioned them to restore Islamic rule everywhere in the world and at any cost. Not to speak about 11/9 terrorist attacks, remember what happened in Swat valley in Pakistan. As soon as the Pakistani government accorded the local Taliban authorities a sort of autonomy they attacked other cities and marched towards the capital to conquer the state.

Another significant point in the recent development in Iran is the role of Russia in strengthening the Islamic regime and in the organisation of the electoral putsch of 13 June 2009. Traditionally Russia (except for the brief period under Lenin and Stalin) was a supporter of despotism in Iran (Colonel Liakhoff, the head of the Cossack army shelled the parliament building in Tehran in 1907 and restored Mohammad Ali-Shah on his throne. With a democratic regime in Iran the Russians could hardly achieve huge financial gains they have had so far under the Islamic government through the sale of arms and nuclear plant, almost three times more expensive than their normal costs in the world. China too has announced that they recognise the outcome of the elections despite the worldwide recognition of the repression of the peaceful demonstrations against the fraudulent ballot counting. China has also been benefiting from the sheer amount of contracts with Iran in various fields, which it would not have in a more democratic Iran. It is vital that the Western governments by all means put pressure on Russian and Chinese governments to revise their relationships with the Iranian clerical regime.

The least we should do is an international petition to the United Nations and/or to all governments NOT to recognize Ahmadinejad as president. The situation is worse than what happened in Zimbabwe.

Please see the petition for your signatures
http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown

Dear Friends,

Iranian activists have appealed to the world to oppose the violent crackdown on their protests. Massive new protests are planned, the regime is divided. A united global outcry of 1 million voices could help stop the violence. Call on world leaders to unite against the crackdown:


Today, the hearts and hopes of people around the world are with protesters facing awful risks on the streets of Iran. Regardless of who won the election, the question now is one of fundamental human rights.

Top Iranian leaders are divided, so every bit of pressure matters. With massive new protests imminent, Iranian activists are urgently appealing for a united international response to oppose the violent crackdown.

Sign the petition below calling on ALL governments to condemn the crackdown and withhold recognition of any Iranian government until election concerns are peacefully addressed. Then forward this email to friends and family -- let's build a massive global outcry of 1 million voices against the crackdown:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown/?cl=259923337&v=3538

We'll deliver the petition directly to the leaders of Iran's largest trading partners and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the UN, and other international groups respected in Iran. A united international response will puncture the regime's spin that the US and UK alone are behind global criticism.

People power is sweeping global politics. But where leaders respond violently to non-violent protest, from Burma to Zimbabwe to Iran, global solidarity is needed to show governments that repression weakens their rule, rather than strengthening it.

Avaaz means "voice" in Farsi, the Iranian language. Let's show the people of Iran that, whoever they voted for, we support their right to have their voices heard. Click below to sign the petition, and spread the word by forwarding this email:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown/?cl=259923337&v=3538

With hope and determination,

Ricken, Ben, Milena, Paul, Raluca, Brett, Iain, Pascal, Raj, Graziela, Taren, Paula, Margaret, Veronique and the whole Avaaz team.

PS - For more information on the Iranian elections and protests see these news sources:

BBC -- "Iran silences protesters": http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8112036.stm

Associated Press -- "Struggle amongst Iran's clerics bursts into the open": http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jGSJEAPs_r2T2wxsL5G3t4z-jajQD98VC5T81

Al Jazeera -- "Iran's Mousavi urges defiance" : http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/06/2009621191831403557.html

The Huffington Post -- Iran Live blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/13/iran-demonstrations-viole_n_215189.html