Rice Tells Mullahs That Democracy On the Way to Iran
BY ELI LAKE - Staff Reporter of the Sun
May 24, 2005
http://www.nysun.com/article/14287WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Rice yesterday warned Iran's "unelected leaders" that the day will come when their people will demand the same rights and liberties recently sought by Iraqis and Lebanese.
Speaking at the annual policy conference for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Ms. Rice said to thunderous applause, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Middle East is changing and even the unelected leaders in Tehran must recognize this fact. They must know that the energy of reform that is building all around them will one day inspire Iran's citizens to demand their liberty and their rights. The United States stands with the people of Iran."
Ms. Rice's remarks could signal that the Bush administration is growing impatient with the stalled European-led negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Only three months ago, Ms. Rice said that America would consider lifting its objections to Iran joining the World Trade Organization and the sale of airplane parts to the Islamic Republic in exchange for good-faith efforts to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Her predecessor, Colin Powell, in 2003 pledged that America would not interfere in the internal affairs of Iranian politics, which he referred to as a "family fight."
At the conference Ms. Rice played to the crowd. In her opening lines she said, "judging by how many students I see in the audience today, I know that Aipac's future is clearly going to be bright." The line was a subtle vote of confidence for an organization that has been dogged by allegations that two of its former employees are targets of an FBI probe into mishandled classified information and possible espionage. On Sunday, Aipac's executive director said his organization is not a formal target of the bureau's investigation.