Iranian: War Not Helping Democracy Push

[cal04]

Iran's most prominent dissident said Sunday that the war in Iraq has hurt his country's reform movement by giving its regime an excuse to stifle dissent.

Journalist Akbar Ganji said in an interview that the West can best promote change in Iran by lending moral support to the country's democratic movement.

``We do not want the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran. However, this is our problem. Any intervention by any foreign power would bring charges of conspiracy against us,'' he said. ``What has happened in Iraq did not support our movement in any significant way.''

(snip)
``Oil is the greatest factor that prevents democracy to take root in the region. Petroleum states have no need for their people,'' he said. ``They do not depend on taxation and therefore there is no accountability to the people.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5955537,00.html

[Redstone]

1. Well, yes. Just another unintended consequence of bush's stupidity.

Among the many.

Redstone