Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 7.6.2005:

The Iranian Havel

New York Sun, Editorial:

When the leaders of the world's industrialized nations meet today in Scotland, they would do well to take time out from their policy debates to focus on the fate of Akbar Ganji, who is becoming known as the Iranian Vaclav Havel. He is the journalist and dissident entering his 27th day of a hunger strike inside Tehran's Evin Prison.

Over the July 4th weekend, the chief of Iran's society of journalists told the Islamic Republic News Agency that Mr. Ganji was in critical condition. If President Bush meant anything when he proclaimed in his second inaugural, "As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you," it is hard to think of a more valiant effort of any individual to make such a stand. READ MORE

How long will the world be silent? Time is running out. At the G8 Summit, President Bush has a unique opportunity to remind the world that Iranian prisons are full of brave men and women seeking real freedom and democracy inside of Iran.

In addition, congress should speak with a united voice in support of these brave Iranians. Iran must release all political dissidents. The Iranian people need to know that we stand with them in their struggle. Write or call your representatives about this, now.

If you need an address, email or phone number for your Congressman and Senators, just enter your zipcode on the box provided,

In the next few days we can expect to see more unrest in Iran. The 9th of July is the anniversary of a bloody crackdown on student demonstrators. The regime may choose to crack down any demonstrations. How it reacts will either encourage more dissent or show the real face of the regime. The world needs to keep a spotlight on Iran and put the regime on notice that we stand with the people of Iran.

Bloggers, please help!

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

• Washington Times reported that former Iranian president Bani Sadr confirmed that President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was one of the kidnappers at the U.S. Embassy in 1979.
• News-Daily reported that former hostages are saying, Iran must be held accountable.
• Reuters reported that a recent intelligence report claims North Korea has been secretly helping Iran develop its nuclear program.
• Reuters reported that Iran has asked the U.N. nuclear watchdog to let it break U.N. seals and test atomic equipment.
• Xinhua News Agency reported that the United States urged Iran to abide by the Paris agreement.
• The Washington Post said, In Iran, the question of Ahmadinejad's role in the 1979 hostage crisis clarifies several issues.
• The Guardian UK reported that the fate of Iran's top negotiator in its nuclear talks with Europe was thrown into question with conflicting reports.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani will be replaced with Ali Larijani, a Revolutionary Guards brigadier general close to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• SwissPolitics.org reported that Iran and Iraq resumed high-level military talks for the first time since the two neighbors went to war in 1980.
• And finally, The Tehran Times reported that China has announced a 100 billion dollar investment in Iran's oil and gas industries in the next 25 years.