Iran: where is the United Nations?
By
Joseph Chez
In the annals of history, Tyranny is short lived.......
The Iranian people are taking a cue from the history of struggle for freedom and will not accept less. This in response to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who today gave recognition to the election results and thereby giving its blessing to Ahmadinejad as the winner of the election. Additionally, the supreme Ayatollah also gave a stern warning to the opposition to accept the election results - or else. But reports from within Iran already report a quasi atmosphere of martial law in place.
Still, the world can only watch the events unfold in Iran from the sidelines - for now. But it should be noted that the Ahmadinejad regime and cleric stronghold on the country truly needs outside intervention to solidify their control of its people and thus justify any means to further squelch any civil unrest. Consequently, the United States of America should resist any pressure from the political right who is fervently pushing for tougher language against Iran. The Israeli government has even criticized the United States for not responding with stronger language. However, any intervention from the U.S. would be counter productive and would not help the circumstances of the Iranian people.
What is needed is for the United Nations to issue a strong declaration, warning the Iranian government, including clerics, that they will be held personally responsible for the safety of the civilian population and for the opposition leader.
In the meantime, the ayatollahs and present regime sympathizers in Iran, should head the warning of history; there is a prize to pay for freedom, but there is an even greater charge for tyrannical figures - as they usually pay with their lives.
For neo-cons in the West, who just last year were sarcastically commenting, "bomb, bomb, bomb,.. bomb, bomb Iran", their present support for the people of Iran is simply disingenuous, if not cheap political tricks. However, the Iranian people as any other peoples of the world, deserve to be free. And regardless what finally results, to the Iranian people, your acts of bravery in the face of tyranny makes us all humble.
The United Nations is prohibited by Article 7, paragraph 2, of its charter from intervening in the domestic affairs of any state:
"Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter."
June 19, 2009 11:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The point about the United Nations is well taken : I hadn't seen it elsewhere.
My general impression of United States attitudes to other peoples are unfortunately negative : candid commentary would violate TPM etiquette!
One should not think of Iran's election as an event happening in isolation perhaps : but what is the sudden international concern for an event not even touching the power structure of the country ?
I recall years of demonizing Ahmadinejad. Whatever he is really like I don't know : but I promise you I am quite convinced popular conception badly needs to have a 'mis' prefix. This is not accidental. The 'press' might as well be 'press gang' for all the independence of view left.
June 20, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink