Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tadsamillionaire who wrote (197650)	10/30/2001 11:28:34 AM
From: DMaA	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

Action - reaction: Iran seizes 2,000 protesters, satellite dishes as unrest spreads SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Sunday, October 28, 2001 NICOSIA — Iran has launched a massive crackdown on dissidents and satellite dishes in response to the embarrassing outbreak of nation-wide unrest in support of the United States and democratic reform. More than 2,000 Iranians were arrested over the weekend in connection with violent demonstrations in several major cities. In addition, Iranian authorities have moved to stop the relay of information from opposition groups to the Islamic republic. Iranian authorities have confiscated more than 1,000 satellite dishes as part of an effort to stop access to television channels used by the opposition, Middle East Newsline reported. The channels are based in the United States. Nevertheless, the demonstrations were continuing Sunday, Iranian sources told World Tribune.com. In the weeks since Sept. 11, the only major spontaneous pro-U.S. demonstrations have taken place in Iran where popular dissatisfaction with the government of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammed Khatami has become widespread. "Iranians have now concluded that whatever happens, no one will help them," said Dr. Assad Homayoun, president of the Azadegan Foundation. "They will have to rely on their own power to change the regime." He said the U.S. decision to include Iran in a coalition intended to isolate the Taliban in Afghanistan could have the short-term effect of strengthening the regime in Teheran which has been a leading state sponsor of terrorism. Washington-based sources said Iran's loss in a soccer tournament last week with Bahrain provided an opportunity for street demonstrations in several major cities. The state-owned Iran daily said about 150,000 satellite dishes are expected to be confiscated. The operation would be the first time authorities have enforced a 1995 ban on satellite dishes. Unrest has reportedly increased since the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington. Police have broken up demonstrations in solidarity with the United States. The unrest became violent after Iran's soccer team won another tournament with the United Arab Emirates. The fans attacked government buildings in Teheran and the government-sponsored Islamic vigilantes, torched police cars and chanted slogans against the Islamic republic. The riots then spread to other Iranian cities, including Abadan, Isfahan, Kerman and Mashad. worldtribune.com