President Bush Urges Iranian Leaders to Listen to the People - 2002-07-13

President Bush advised Iranian government officials to listen to the voices of the people, who have shown that they desire the same freedoms and human rights that people around the world enjoy. Mr. Bush stated that the vast majority of the Iranian people voted for political and economic reforms in the recent presidential, parliamentary, and city council elections, but the unelected rulers of Iran do not heed the people's words. On Friday, Mr. Bush remarked that students, journalists, and members of parliament are still at risk of arrest and intimidation, and they face mistreatment for their criticisms of the ruling body and support for reforms. The statement from the U.S. President was released on Friday following the resignation of a senior Iranian cleric in protest against the management of the country by religious conservatives. Ayatollah Jalaleddin Taheri accused the conservative clerics of paralyzing civil and elected institutions in the name of religion. Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated on Friday that Ayatollah Taheri's criticisms encourage enemies and counter-revolutionaries and may be exploited by the adversary. He also added that he shares Ayatollah Taheri's concerns regarding the moral and financial disarray in the country. In the past week, on the third anniversary of the July 9 incidents and widespread student unrest in Iran, protesters clashed with security police.