October 29th, 2011 – In an interview with the television stations BBC Farsi and VOA on Wednesday October 26th, 2011,  U.S.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that the U.S. had refrained from supporting the Green movement in the past in order to comply with the movement’s wishes.

Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, Mir Hossein Mousavi’s senior adviser responded to Mrs. Clinton’s remarks as follows: ” If our citizens decide some day that they want this support we must respect their choice, but we will not recommend that they pursue such a path.”

Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, senior adviser to Mir Hossein Mousavi and the spokesperson for the Coordination Council for the Green Path of Hope reacted to Hillary Clinton’s comments regarding why the U.S. had refrained from supporting the Green movement stating: ” We can never stand in the way of our citizens wishes and demands, nor should we ever adopt the role of an intermediary. As an individual and someone who loves his country and its citizens and someone who wishes to see our citizens live in dignity, with prosperity and freedom,  it is my duty, however to advise them to refrain from going down such a path, for it would be a mistake and would not lead to democracy in Iran.”

While reiterating that the lack of support by the U.S. was in direct response to the requests by voices within the movement, Clinton stated: “We heard the voices within the  movement requesting that the U.S. remain cautious, and refrain from acting as a key supporter of the movement, for doing so would have been detrimental to the credibility of the movement, putting the lives of the supporters of the Green movement at risk.

“If the events in Iran should repeat themselves, and if the Green movement or any other movement requests our support, we will support the citizens of Iran in the same way that we supported the Libyians.”, Clinton added.

Amir Arjomand described the Green movement’s position with regards to foreign support as follows: “The Green movement’s position with regards to this issue is quite clear. The Green movement began in the hearts of the Iranian nation. The movement did not want any form of foreign interference in the past and does not need any form of interference by foreign countries today. Our citizens are wise and experienced when it comes to their quest for democracy.”

Amir Arjomand added: “Iran’s democracy seeking movement has historic roots, unfortunately, however, the authoritarian government has delayed this natural process through repression. Nonetheless, our citizens have a strong will and will continue to pursue their goals, awaiting the right time and opportunity to organize new forms of protests.”

Amir Arjomand continued: “It goes without saying that the debate regarding human rights and democracy is a universal one. The Green Movement’s expectations of the international community is that they support  human rights and democracy across the globe.  All countries must be cognizant of the fact that we can achieve peace and democracy on an international level only if human rights and democracy are defended universally and without exception.”

The spokesperson for the Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope emphasized: “The leaders of the Green movement have always maintained a clear and transparent position with regards to foreign intervention in Iran. They have never negotiated or held discussions with any foreign officials, nor have they had any demands of foreign states. This position of the leaders of the Green movement has historic roots and remains unchanged.  “Democracy can only be established based on the will and the demands of the citizens of a nation. Democracy is not a commodity that can be imported, or concocted in one country and transported into another!”

Hillary Clinton also announced the establishment of an online embassy designed to address request for visas from students and Iranian citizens, reiterating the United State’s desire to establish communication with the people and the youth in Iran.  Clinton added that the Islamic Republic of Iran is transforming into a military dictatorship, stating: “We are open to negotiations with Iran. We seek better relations with Iran, despite the fact that both our direct and indirect efforts to establish communication with Iran have not been successful to date.”
By banooyesabz
Source:  RFI Farsi: http://rfi.my/s9Z4Re