Monday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.16.2005:

Iranians Condemn Presidential Election

BBC News:

More than 500 politicians and intellectuals in Iran have announced that they will not take part in the presidential election next month. In a statement, they said that the 17 June poll cannot be free and fair because Iran's Guardian Council was depriving people of free choice. ...

The statement said that "the people only have the freedom to choose from among those candidates chosen by the state".

"People are being called to participate while many of the most important circles of power and the appointed people have complete control on all the avenues of executive power," the statement said. READ MORE

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Rachel Friedman of the National Review Online comes out in support of the 60000000.com's referendum movement.
• Amir Taheri of the New York Post warns the U.S. against the fashionable idea is that the Western democracies should seek a strategic alliance with Islamist parties.
• The Washington Times asks, "Is Tehran Toying with Europe?"
• Tehran Times reports that Iran and Saudi Arabia expand ties.
• IranMania reports Iran has developed advanced cannons.
• The Brooding Persian, an Iranian blogger provides a brief history of Iranian elections.
• Saul Singer of the Jerusalem Post says,"Iran is Pivotal." A must read.
• And finally, Dr. Jerome Corsi began his Iran Freedom Walk at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pa.