Public Response to the Election Fraud and Protests (21 June 2009)

In the Name of God

Noble and vigilant people of Iran,

In the past few days, Seda & Sima, governmental news agencies, some governmental newspapers, internet sites close to the government, and Kayhan newspaper, have dedicated a substantial portion of their coverage to inverting the truth about what happened before, during, and after the tenth presidential elections in Iran. Using resources that belong to you, they not only have attempted to hide the recent heart wrenching events, but have tried to portray their direct and indirect organizers as those who have helped you in demanding your rights.

The reality that they foolishly try to ignore is that in this election a massive fraud has taken place, and those who later objected were attacked in an inhumane manner, killed, injured, or detained. Had those responsible for the murders of Kooy-e Daneshgah on 18 Tir 1378 been confronted under the law and in an appropriate manner, today we wouldn’t have to bear witness to the same type of tragedies on a larger scale, and wouldn’t have to hear the truth being bent in a more brazen fashion.

It’s the same people that still, by relying on resources that belong to the people, and in support of the interests of their own groups, continue to create dossiers for others, lie without hesitation, and attribute to me what they themselves are responsible for. What they fail to understand is that these well known tactics will not force Mousavi out of the scene. What took place in the past few days has targeted the fundamentals of the Islamic republic’s system which is our heritage from our beloved Imam and our noble martyrs, something that one cannot passively ignore, or surrender in response to these types of accusations or the under the threat of a trial.

Not only am I not worried about responding to these accusations, but I am ready to show how electoral criminals lined up next to the real culprits of the recent unrest, and spilled people’s blood, and now try to depict the scenes that have been witnessed by hundreds of people and tens of images, in a different light; I am ready to show how those whose actions are in line with creating havoc in the country, weakening the system, and in support of foreign interests, using the excuse of the destructive behavior of an unknown group, tried to depict your green movement as anarchist and dependent on foreign powers; but I am not ready to stop standing, even for a second, in the shadow of the green tree of restoring the rights of the people of Iran, that has been unjustly fed with the blood of the youth of this country. Of the total ballots cast in boxes, only one belongs to me, and you well know that their issue is with the fate of millions of votes cast that they have no answer for.

With special thanks for French translation of L.A.

Au nom de Dieu le Clément le Misécordieux,

A Dieu Nous appartenons et à Lui nous retournerons

Peuple d’Iran, honorable et vigilant

La nouvelle déchirante du martyre d’un nouveau groupe d’opposants à la fraude intervenue lors des dernières élections a profondément choqué et attristé notre société. Nous avons été témoins de la militarisation de l’environnement, d’intimidations du peuple, de provocations et de démonstrations de force ; tout cela découle d’un profond mépris de la loi ; le comble étant que les responsables de cette situation donnent des leçons de légalité aux autres.

J’apporte des nouvelles à ceux qui nomment les légitimistes des délinquants, alors que le pire délit serait d’ignorer l’article 26 de la constitution et de refuser de délivrer une autorisation pour des rassemblements pacifiques. Notre peuple révolutionnaire, qui a utilisé de tels rassemblements pour que vous et moi puissions vivre libérés des donjons impériaux, mérite-t-il d’avoir à subir ces atteintes physiques et toutes ces menaces ?

Je suis en deuil et je continue de vous demander de la retenue. Le pays vous appartient. La révolution et le système sont votre héritage. S’opposer aux mensonges et à la fraude est votre droit. Restez positifs lorsque vous réclamez vos droits, ne vous mettez pas en colère à cause de ceux qui tentent de vous démoraliser et de vous effrayer. Lors des manifestations, continuez à éviter la violence et comportez vous comme des parents endeuillés confrontés aux mauvais traitements infligés à leurs enfants par les forces de sécurité. Dans le même temps, j’attends des forces de sécurité qu’elles ne laissent pas le souvenir de cette époque blesser de façon irréparable leurs relations avec le peuple. Cacher aux familles le nom des martyrs, des blessés et des détenus, les laisser dans les ténèbres ne peut pas contribuer au retour au calme et ne concours qu’à exacerber les émotions. De plus, les arrestations en masse ne servent qu’à inciter les militaires et les forces de sécurité, qui sont aussi des enfants de ce pays, d’une part et le reste de la société d’autre part à franchir la ligne rouge.

Je demande à Dieu tout puissant de recevoir ces martyrs aimés en son paradis et de bénir leurs âmes ; je souhaite à leurs parents, dans la douleur, de la patience et de la force.

Mir Hossein Mousavi

31 Khordad 1388/27 juin 2009

Another translation:

Dear dignified and intelligent people of Iran,

A turning point in the history of our nation is emerging these days and nights. People are asking themselves and, in their rallies, me about what should be done [about the present situation], and which direction should be taken [to continue the protests]. I consider it my duty to explain to you what I think, and to tell you and be taught by you, so that we will not forget our historic mission, and take the responsibility for the future and fate of many [future] generation and eras.

30 years ago a revolution under the banner of Islam was victorious; a revolution to revive freedom and human rights; a revolution for honesty. During this period, particularly when our enlightened Imam [Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini] was still living, the nation invested heavily in terms of human lives, wealth, and credibility, in order to consolidate this achievement, which brought us further achievements. The light that we had never experienced before filled our society, and people gained new lives that, although very difficult [a reference to the Iran-Iraq war], were sweet and rewarding. What our people had gained were human rights and freedom, and uncorrupted lives. I am certain that those who experienced this life will never settle for anything less.

http://www.ghalamnews.ir/news-21179.aspx