Iran Accuses US of Backing Demonstrations
Voice of America
VOA News
15 Jun 2003, 14:10 UTC
Iranian Foreign Ministry officials accuse the United States of backing pro-democracy demonstrations that have recently rocked Tehran.
The Foreign Ministry said Sunday that comments from Washington expressing alarm over the situation were "flagrant interference" in the country's internal affairs.
Thousands of Iranian youths gathered Sunday near Tehran University for a fifth night of pro-democracy demonstrations. Most kept to their cars for fear of attack by gangs of pro-government militants.
The roaming, club-wielding gangs of militants were bussed into Tehran.
Western correspondents on the scene early Sunday say youths are not shouting anti-government slogans or honking their car horns as on previous nights.
Riot police formed a ring around the university to protect students inside from attacks. Militants stormed school dormitories the night before to beat up those inside.
There are reports of renewed clashes in the southern city of Shiraz, where a student news agency says a number of chanting demonstrators were arrested, and in the southeastern city of Ahvaz.
Late Saturday, about 100 people were arrested and one killed during demonstrations in Shiraz.
The White House has denounced Iran's crackdown on protesters, and says Iran must release any who have been jailed.
The White House on Saturday said Iranians have a right to determine their own destiny and that the United States supports their aspirations to live in freedom. Frustration has mounted steadily in Iran over the seemingly intractable deadlock between reformists in parliament loyal to President Mohammed Khatami, and hardline clerics who wield great power through the courts and unelected oversight bodies.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
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