Bush Urges Iran's Unelected Rulers to Listen to Voices of Their People

(Says Iranians want same freedoms, human rights, opportunities as


people everywhere)





President Bush said the Iran's unelected rulers are stifling their


people's hopes for increased freedom, human rights and opportunities.





"As we have witnessed over the past few days, the people of Iran want


the same freedoms, human rights, and opportunities as people around


the world. Their government should listen to their hopes," Bush said


it a statement issued by the White House in Washington July 12.





Bush said as Iran's people move towards a future defined by greater


freedom, greater tolerance, they will have no better friend than the


United States of America.





Following is the text of Bush's statement:








(begin text)





THE WHITE HOUSE


Office of the Press Secretary


July 12, 2002





STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT





We have seen throughout history the power of one simple idea: when


given a choice, people will choose freedom. As we have witnessed over


the past few days, the people of Iran want the same freedoms, human


rights, and opportunities as people around the world. Their government


should listen to their hopes.





In the last two Iranian presidential elections and in nearly a dozen


parliamentary and local elections, the vast majority of the Iranian


people voted for political and economic reform. Yet their voices are


not being listened to by the unelected people who are the real rulers


of Iran. Uncompromising, destructive policies have persisted, and far


too little has changed in the daily lives of the Iranian people.


Iranian students, journalists and Parliamentarians are still arrested,


intimidated, and abused for advocating reform or criticizing the


ruling regime. Independent publications are suppressed. And talented


students and professionals, faced with the dual specter of too few


jobs and too many restrictions on their freedom, continue to seek


opportunities abroad rather than help build Iran 's future at home.


Meanwhile, members of the ruling regime and their families continue to


obstruct reform while reaping unfair benefits.





Iran is an ancient land, home to a proud culture with a rich heritage


of learning and progress. The future of Iran will be decided by the


people of Iran. Right now, the Iranian people are struggling with


difficult questions about how to build a modern 21st century society


that is at once Muslim, prosperous, and free. There is a long history


of friendship between the American people and the people of Iran. As


Iran's people move towards a future defined by greater freedom,


greater tolerance, they will have no better friend than the United


States of America.














(end text)