Friday, June 19, 2009 WASHINGTON: A top Republican in Congress is slamming the White House response to the ongoing protests and violence in Iran over that country's controversial election results."The Administration's position that what's going on in Iran is a 'vigorous debate' is absurd," House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said in a statement released Thursday. "People are being brutalized and murdered by the regime in Tehran. We have no idea exactly how many have died or have been seriously injured, since the regime has restricted journalists. In no way do these actions constitute a 'vigorous debate.'"The congressman from Virginia, the number two Republican in the House, added that "America has a moral responsibility to stand up for these brave people, to defend human rights, and to condemn the violence and abuses by the regime in Tehran."Sen. John McCain told media Wednesday President Barack Obama's statement that he doesn't want to meddle in the Iranian election controversy sends the wrong message."On this issue, I do not believe that the president is taking a leadership that is incumbent upon an American president, which we have throughout modern history, and that is to advocate for human rights and freedom — and free elections are one of those fundamentals," the Arizona Republican told John Roberts on media.Obama Tuesday said that he has deep concerns over the election results in Iran, but stressed that "it's not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling, the U.S. president meddling in Iranian elections."
Friday, June 19, 2009 WASHINGTON: A top Republican in Congress is slamming the White House response to the ongoing protests and violence in Iran over that country's controversial election results."The Administration's position that what's going on in Iran is a 'vigorous debate' is absurd," House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said in a statement released Thursday. "People are being brutalized and murdered by the regime in Tehran. We have no idea exactly how many have died or have been seriously injured, since the regime has restricted journalists. In no way do these actions constitute a 'vigorous debate.'"The congressman from Virginia, the number two Republican in the House, added that "America has a moral responsibility to stand up for these brave people, to defend human rights, and to condemn the violence and abuses by the regime in Tehran."Sen. John McCain told media Wednesday President Barack Obama's statement that he doesn't want to meddle in the Iranian election controversy sends the wrong message."On this issue, I do not believe that the president is taking a leadership that is incumbent upon an American president, which we have throughout modern history, and that is to advocate for human rights and freedom — and free elections are one of those fundamentals," the Arizona Republican told John Roberts on media.Obama Tuesday said that he has deep concerns over the election results in Iran, but stressed that "it's not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling, the U.S. president meddling in Iranian elections."
Comments