Audience members listen to
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed
Ali Khamenei, as he
rouses the country to come out and vote for
one of the eight presidential candidates his
regime approved.
Supreme Leader Says Unlike 2009, Presidential Vote in 2013 will 'Frustrate Enemies' (Kayhan, Iran)
Does the Islamic Republic's conduct of the 2013 Iran
presidential election demonstrate that nation's commitment to free speech and
democracy? According to this news item from the state-run Kayhan, Supreme Leader Khamenei
is urging people to vote in large numbers, which he says will force the
'enemies' to cut back on sanctions against his regime by demonstrating a 'bond'
between the people and the authorities.
Perhaps recognizing that his regime lacks legitimacy, Iran's unlected supreme leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, pleads with people to come out and vote for one of the eight presidential candidates his government has approved.
TEHRAN:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, is urging
voters to turn out in large numbers for the presidential election on Friday,
saying that such a demonstration will frustrate the enemies.
Ayatollah
Khamenei spoke on the last day of a campaign to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
which comes at a time of U.S.-led pressure to halt the nation's march toward
development.
"My
insistence on having a majority of people vote is that a strong presence on the
part of the Iranian nation will disappoint the enemy, and force it to reduce such
pressure and follow another path," Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The
leader said, "More important than the outcome, high voter turnout is important
for the country. With this powerful move on Friday, the nation will reflect the
strong bond it feels with the Islamic establishment, once again defeating and
disappointing the enemy."
Ayatollah
Khamenei said that the enemies of Islam and the Revolution have used every financial,
media and political tool to separate the people from the Islamic establishment.
They seek to create cynicism toward the elections and the body conducting them,
but mass voter turnout will once again defeat them.
The
leader described the forthcoming election as a major experience for the Iranian
nation, saying that "consolidated, lively, strong, and hopeful"
participation in the voting, as well as the "maintenance and reinforcement
of mutual trust between the people and authorities" will disappoint the
enemy and reduce the pressure they exert.
"From
today on, a political epic has begun. On Friday, through the hope, trust and
determination of the people, this epic will reach its height."
Ayatollah
Khamenei said that failure to abide by the law was the cause of the 2009
post-election unrest, adding, "The people and the country suffered greatly
as a result of that lawlessness. This reality has made the nation more
sensitive about the necessity of abiding by the law during the upcoming
election."
The
leader said that the more votes he gets, the better the people's elected
president will withstand the nation's enemies and defend the nation's interests.
According
to Ayatollah Khamenei, the more weakness and retreat one shows in the
international arena, the further the enemy will advance. "Therefore, one
must stand strong against the illegitimate demands of foreign powers," the
leader added.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
Ayatollah
Khamenei said that the opposing views expressed by presidential candidates
during their live debates reflect freedom in Iran, and exposed those who accuse
the Islamic Republic of muzzling free speech. One of the strongest elements of
this year's election, he said, was the way the debates reflected the full
spectrum political and intellectual opinion.
"However,
I have reservations about certain issues raised in the debates which, God
willing, I will explain after the election."
