Boards.ie Questions and Answers Session with Mark Little about Events in Iran

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Hi again.

Mark Little - our presenter and former RTÉ foreign correspondent - will be online tomorrow morning to answer questions about the on-going events in Iran. Mark has reported from there several times and has been in contact with sources and friends in area for the last number of days. If you have any questions or wish to leave comments about what's happening please feel free to do so here. Obviously if there is a slew of comments he may not have the time to answer them all (we're live tomorrow night at 2130, so pretty busy), but he'll try to get around to as many as possible.

We won't be using your questions as part of the show this time, this is just to try and help Irish people get some context directly from a trusted voice with background knowledge of the events taking place in Iran.

You can also put questions to Mark through our Twitter account.

dueyfinster

Do you think the protesters will eventually be beaten down? or can they cause Another revolution.

Let me clarify this as I'd really like you find this out. Apparently Moussavi only represents the upper middle class and well educated, hence the pictures we've seen from Tehran University and the Adhmedinejad basically has the support of the poor majority. If this is true, is the overturning of the result at all possible?

Agent Smith

Prime Time wrote: »

Hi again.

Mark Little - our presenter and former RTÉ foreign correspondent - will be online tomorrow morning to answer questions about the on-going events in Iran. Mark has reported from there several times and has been in contact with sources and friends in area for the last number of days. If you have any questions or wish to leave comments about what's happening please feel free to do so here. Obviously if there is a slew of comments he may not have the time to answer them all (we're live tomorrow night at 2130, so pretty busy), but he'll try to get around to as many as possible.

We won't be using your questions as part of the show this time, this is just to try and help Irish people get some context directly from a trusted voice with background knowledge of the events taking place in Iran.

You can also put questions to Mark through our Twitter account.

Hi, Fantastic idea!


Could you clarify the Twitter address?

dueyfinster

Agent Smith wrote: »

Hi, Fantastic idea!


Could you clarify the Twitter address?

http://twitter.com/RTE_PrimeTime

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Apologies, I meant to link directly to our Twitter account. How foolish of me.

Dueyfinster got it right with www.twitter.com/rte_primetime

Just to clarify, it'll be a text-based Q+A, not via Ustream or some other video platform. While we're looking at using those types of tools in the future, it's too short notice this time around.

As one may expect Mark is a busy guy (I'm sure many Boards.ie members are also) so he may not be able to sit and answer questions on a rolling basis for a four hour period. He will have research to do, interviews to line up etc etc tomorrow which don't always fit into his planned schedule. So, even though I'm sure most of you understand this already, your questions may get answered immediately, even during the 11-2 time period we've sort of set-aside for this. However - if (hopefully, when) the questions are here I'm positive he'll make an effort to come back and answer them as soon as he can, even if that means coming back on Friday after the show <plug>Thursdays, 930pm, RTÉ One</plug> is done and things have calmed down a little in the office. Saying that, the aim is to answer a load of questions early tomorrow and become part of the conversation.

Dueyfinster, your question is in the bag. Thanks for getting the ball rolling...

Funglegunk

Hi Mark,

Do you think that Mousavi is the true leader of this protest movement, or has he just become a figurehead or rallying point for Iranians desperate for a more radical change than he actually represents?

And how much do Mousavi's policy positions, particularly foreign policy, really differ from Ahmadinejad's?

Dirk Gently

Are the protests genuine and spontaneous, sparked by the fear of vote rigging or were elements inside and outside Iran planning to manipulate Iranian opposition into mobilising on the streets regardless. Does the evidence support mass vote rigging?

How reliable were opinion polls before the election which predicted a tight race and if vote rigging occurred why make it so obvious, in light of those polls which predicted a much tighter race. What purpose would it serve to misrepresent the opinion polls?

If Adhmedinejad was outed, and a new moderate government installed, more open to the west, would that be a good thing or a bad thing with regard to stability within the country itself and the effect it would have on other countries such as Syria and Lebanon?

If proved true and the election was a sham, how likely would it be that Adhmedinejad and/or the hardline clerics will allow another election or stand down? Would there be a civil war or an eventual peaceful transfer of power?

Sully

The media are reporting that there are a lot of people protesting at the results of the election. Are those protesting genuine supporters of Mousavi? If so, and I assume they are people who actually did vote, is it a clear indication that a much larger number actually voted for him rather then results announced earlier by Ahmadinejad, thus casting a doubt on the overall election results? I wonder can the turn out from the protesters indicate anything that does not add up in terms of the overall result. Its possible that a large chunk of protesters are the usual "thugs" that join to create trouble with their true intentions not as they make out.

The results were announced differently - was there any indication as to why? Have the protests not spurred them to be announced correctly for clarification? The offer to partial recount - the protests as I understand refuse to accept and want a re-take of the elections. What is to stop the same event happening again, if the results were fixed?

The media ban and the strong police presence which escalated to shootings earlier, is this an attempt to censor the election results or a method of calming the situation and allowing a discussion on a full/partial recount? What really caused the shootings - I believe the protests are claiming it was a peaceful protest and they just started shooting claiming thugs starting trouble.

Have the press who defied this got into much trouble? I understood accusations were made against the BBC for covering it and they were unhappy with Americas comments.

Finally, what difference would it make if the results were overturned for the rest of the world?

dueyfinster

RTE Prime Time (Mark) wrote: »

Apologies, I meant to link directly to our Twitter account. How foolish of me.

Dueyfinster got it right with www.twitter.com/rte_primetime
......
Dueyfinster, your question is in the bag. Thanks for getting the ball rolling...

Thanks a million, look forward to reading the answer. Love Primetime, thanks for a great show!

Orlaithf

Mousavi has been described in the past by an Iranian oppostion member as a "pocket-sized version of Ayatollah Khomeini". My question is how much of a reformist is he really? He shares many similarities with Ahmadinejad in that he has stated that he wants Iran to continue nuclear enrichment and he refuses to recognise Israel. These are both pivotal issues which will impact any future diplomatic relationship with the US and the United Nations. He has made calls for disbanding the religious police but even Ahmadinejad himself has moved away from the religious mullahs and is more at home with the military leaders. Does Mousavi really hold out the promise of significant change for Iran?

Dave!

Interesting idea, Primetime!

Briefly: is this likely to descend into civil war, given the rather intense hostility between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi supporters?

I'll probably be glued to the TV tomorrow (thank you recession!) to see what happens with this planned march. I predict chaos unfortunately

lostexpectation

is the west just getting the better off, internet connected view, when it said that Ahmadinejad is genuinely popular with larger poorer rural vote, just like sinatwa in thailand.


Straight Question to Mark. Did Mousavi win the election. YES or NO.

lostexpectation

does rte generally double check stories or take them straight off the wires?

sparklepants

We are led to understand that the protests have been organised over the Internet. Given that the Internet in Iran is estimated to be accessible to only one third of the population of 70 million and mainly to the middle classes in urban locations, could it be that the protesters are unrepresentative of the majority of the Iranians?

Is it possible that the middle class minority are trying to impose their will on the voiceless majority?

solice

sparklepants wrote: »

We are led to understand that the protests have been organised over the Internet. Given that the Internet in Iran is estimated to be accessible to only one third of the population of 70 million and mainly to the middle classes in urban locations, could it be that the protesters are unrepresentative of the majority of the Iranians?

Is it possible that the middle class minority are trying to impose their will on the voiceless majority?

If George Bush was still president in the US, would the "war on terrorism" now be extended into Iran?

Is Obama doing the right thing by staying quiet?

Gholimoli

Orlaithf wrote: »

Mousavi has been described in the past by an Iranian oppostion member as a "pocket-sized version of Ayatollah Khomeini". My question is how much of a reformist is he really? He shares many similarities with Ahmadinejad in that he has stated that he wants Iran to continue nuclear enrichment and he refuses to recognise Israel. These are both pivotal issues which will impact any future diplomatic relationship with the US and the United Nations. He has made calls for disbanding the religious police but even Ahmadinejad himself has moved away from the religious mullahs and is more at home with the military leaders. Does Mousavi really hold out the promise of significant change for Iran?

this is not true at all...infact in the current protest he is heavily relying on them to silence the crowed.

Sherifu

Hi Mark, have you heard and information on the number of people killed by the Islamic militia and police.

Also, have you heard any reports from your sources of soldiers, security officials and Revolutionary Guardsmen refusing orders to fire on protesters?

Thanks.

target

Hi Mark,

The religious council of Iran, in effect the Ayatollahs, have to sign off on this election. If I remember correctly Iran's supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei also very publicly endorsed Ahmadinejad.

How much of a role do you think the religious have had in the outcome of this election and the subsequent events?

Thanks

Kevin

RTE Prime Time: Mark

dueyfinster wrote: »

Do you think the protesters will eventually be beaten down? or can they cause Another revolution.

Let me clarify this as I'd really like you find this out. Apparently Moussavi only represents the upper middle class and well educated, hence the pictures we've seen from Tehran University and the Adhmedinejad basically has the support of the poor majority. If this is true, is the overturning of the result at all possible?

I think the best way to summarise this is to say Mousavi is strongest among the middle classes and well educated (and foreign observers tend to emphathise easily with that constituency) but there is evidence he has appeal among those who have been alienated by rising inflation and unemployment - particularly in working-class neighbourhoods of the big cities - and by some religious conservatives who feel he represents the purest strands of the original Islamic revolution. I wouldn't overestimate that support - Ahmadinejad is still the champion of the rural poor - but Mousavi is not simply the candidate of the urban rich.

I would say the more important source of change right now is within the elite - who seem divided by their response to the election result. I get the sense that any big move in this drama will come from within the corridors of power not exclusively from the streets.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Sherifu wrote: »

Hi Mark, have you heard and information on the number of people killed by the Islamic militia and police.

Also, have you heard any reports from your sources of soldiers, security officials and Revolutionary Guardsmen refusing orders to fire on protesters?

Thanks.

For the latest on the mood in Iran, I am keeping in contacts with old friends in Tehran but for the very latest information on casualties , I am following the live blog on the Huffington Post. I would treat some of the reports we hearing with caution, although I have heard some reputable sources reporting acts of solidarity between protestors and police (particularly in Isfahan). Still, treat everything you hear right now with caution.

Mucco

Hi Mark,

In 1953 the CIA instigated a coup against the Mossadegh because they were concerned about the risk of communism in Iran, and therefore wanted a western-friendly regime. The British also wanted to get at Iranian oil after Mossadegh threw them out of the country.
Is there any suspicion in Iran that there is western influence behind the current protests?

Thanks,

M

RTE Prime Time: Mark

target wrote: »

Hi Mark,

The religious council of Iran, in effect the Ayatollahs, have to sign off on this election. If I remember correctly Iran's supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei also very publicly endorsed Ahmadinejad.

How much of a role do you think the religious have had in the outcome of this election and the subsequent events?

Thanks

Kevin

I think it is import to remember that - like almost every institution in Iran - the religious establishment is no monolith; there are differences of opinion among the clerics. You are right that Khamenei has backed Ahmadinejad in his own particular fashion, but another influential cleric Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has thrown his considerable weight behind Mousavi. Rafsanjani is reportedly based right now in the city of Qom - which you might think of as the Vatican of the Iranian clerical establishment - and I would keep a very close eye on what he does next.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Mucco wrote: »

Hi Mark,

In 1953 the CIA instigated a coup against the Mossadegh because they were concerned about the risk of communism in Iran, and therefore wanted a western-friendly regime. The British also wanted to get at Iranian oil after Mossadegh threw them out of the country.
Is there any suspicion in Iran that there is western influence behind the current protests?

Thanks,

M

I think all Iranians - liberal and conservative, rural and urban - are always suspicious of Western influence (or Westoxification, as the original Islamic revolutionaries called it). That is why you will not hear serious calls for Western intervention from those leading the protests in Iran. And that is why Obama has been restrained in his response. The conservatives are, of course, tapping into memories of Western intervention and there is considerable focus on a hidden imperialist hand in the protests among the establishment media.

Sherifu

RTE Prime Time (Mark) wrote: »

For the latest on the mood in Iran, I am keeping in contacts with old friends in Tehran but for the very latest information on casualties , I am following the live blog on the Huffington Post. I would treat some of the reports we hearing with caution, although I have heard some reputable sources reporting acts of solidarity between protestors and police (particularly in Isfahan). Still, treat everything you hear right now with caution.

That's where i'm following it too amongst other places.

Thanks.

Link for anyone that wants it.

irishconvert

Why is there such a massive western media focus on this situation in Iran? Very significant and important stories such as ex-US president Jimmy Carter's visit to Gaza and his comment that Palestinians are being treated like animals has gone virtually unreported in western media. Is there some kind of agenda at work here? The folowing post from another boards.ie member sums it up perfectly for me:

"I noticed there is a marked difference between the media portrayal of "our" protestors over "here" and "their" protestors "over there".
All of their protestors are democracy loving and the government is violently surpressing them.
Here protestors are representing the minority view, are holding everyone to ransom, blocking traffic and "anarchists" amongst them provoke the government forces. Oh and that guy the Met police killed...well he was a bit of drunk anyway... probably would have kissed it in a few years anway...
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia hacks peoples hands off every day without even the pretense of an election.
The Iranian election is a storm in a teacup put on the front page here!
Oh and don't forget that the pres of Iran is a *Breath* HOLOCAUST DENIER *Breath*"

irishconvert

A second question for Mark:

Why do you think the western media do not broadcast any interviews with Ahmadinejad? I have seen several interviews and press conferences with him on Press TV (Iranian English speaking TV channel) including some where he was asked some hard hitting questions from the likes of Robert Fisk from the Independent. He seems like a reasonable enough man and gave some very good and interesting responses. He didn't seem anything like the tyrant Sky News and others would have us believe. And another point is that he never said that he wanted Israel wiped off the world map (or face of the earth) as repeated ad nauseam in the western media. It is a totally inaccurate translation of what he really said.

kingkane

Youth unemployment is a massive problem in Iran (and the Muslim world generally) to what exact has Ahmadinejad been able to address it at all? And has that shored up his support amongst some portions of the younger voters?

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Funglegunk wrote: »

Hi Mark,

Do you think that Mousavi is the true leader of this protest movement, or has he just become a figurehead or rallying point for Iranians desperate for a more radical change than he actually represents?

And how much do Mousavi's policy positions, particularly foreign policy, really differ from Ahmadinejad's?

You touch on a fascinating distinction. Mousavi is no radical. He is establishment to the core. But I think he represents a growing sense among powerful figures inside the power elite in Iran that the revolution they hold dear will have to change if it is to survive. I think the young protestors get that distinction. I think most of them are looking for reform in their daily lives not full-scale revolution.

On foreign policy, I don't see Mousavi stopping his country's nuclear programme but I do see him adopting a more pragmatic approach to negotiations with the West. Again, many in the power elite who are still suspicious of Western leaders are frustrated with Ahmadinejad's unsophisticated approach to the world.

solice

Hi Mark,

From a western point of view,Mousavi is no better than Ahmadinejad, he wont stop their nuclear program, he is suspicious of the west, he wont bring about significant change within the countrys leadership that will make Iran a friendly country(?)

So why should we really care about whats going on?

Solice

RTE Prime Time: Mark

irishconvert wrote: »

A second question for Mark:

Why do you think the western media do not broadcast any interviews with Ahmadinejad? I have seen several interviews and press conferences with him on Press TV (Iranian English speaking TV channel) including some where he was asked some hard hitting questions from the likes of Robert Fisk from the Independent. He seems like a reasonable enough man and gave some very good and interesting responses. He didn't seem anything like the tyrant Sky News and others would have us believe. And another point is that he never said that he wanted Israel wiped off the world map (or face of the earth) as repeated ad nauseam in the western media. It is a totally inaccurate translation of what he really said.

There is no question that there are two-sides to be told in this story. As you may have seen with my other responses, I urge everybody to exercise caution with what they hear right now.

I would personally love nothing more than to have a senior figure in the Iranian power structure to talk to us live on RTE. On my visits to Iran, I have been repeatedly frustrated with how difficult it is to actually sit down and interview senior Government officials. But that has more to do with bureaucracy than anything else (it's generally a struggle for any RTE reporter in the field to persuade prime ministers and presidents to spare time to talk to an Irish audience).

As for our focus on this story, I would say it is the most consequential story in the world right now because the future of Iran affects us all. It is vital to the stability of the wider region is is located in. It is a huge power in the debate over conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. It is a powerful influence in the Islamic world. It can effect everything from the situation in Lebanon to the supply of oil to countries like Ireland. Iran matters. These protests matter and the response of the Iranian power elite matters.

As for Ahmadinejad, it is not my job to characterise his personality. I would advise readers to do their own research about his views on Israel and the Holocaust - that is the beauty of the online age. You can source fact. You don't have to reply on the second-hand opinion that feels true.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Hi guys,

Prime Time team member here, Mark Little had to head off to organise some things for the show later on (RTÉ One 930). He's going to try and come back and answer more in a few hours.

Fantastically informed questions, hope readers benefited somewhat and enjoyed it so far.

Mark

RTE Prime Time: Mark

clown bag wrote: »

Are the protests genuine and spontaneous, sparked by the fear of vote rigging or were elements inside and outside Iran planning to manipulate Iranian opposition into mobilising on the streets regardless. Does the evidence support mass vote rigging?

How reliable were opinion polls before the election which predicted a tight race and if vote rigging occurred why make it so obvious, in light of those polls which predicted a much tighter race. What purpose would it serve to misrepresent the opinion polls?

If Adhmedinejad was outed, and a new moderate government installed, more open to the west, would that be a good thing or a bad thing with regard to stability within the country itself and the effect it would have on other countries such as Syria and Lebanon?

If proved true and the election was a sham, how likely would it be that Adhmedinejad and/or the hardline clerics will allow another election or stand down? Would there be a civil war or an eventual peaceful transfer of power?

Clearly, the consensus in the West and among those protestors in Iran is that the elections were rigged.

The biggest questions surround the unlikely prospect that Mousavi lost in his home town, among his Azeri ethnic group and in the big cities, where there was a massive increase in turnout.

Let me direct you to some well argued links - for and against the fairness of the election.

The counter-argument to the conventional wisdom is outlined in the Washington Post which details a pre-election poll showing Ahmadinejad in a clear lead

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/14/AR2009061401757.html

And then there is counter-counter-argument is put, also in the Washington Post.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2009/06/about_those_iran_polls.html
And by the head of polling at ABC News
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenumbers/2009/06/irans-election-the-odds-of-fraud.html

As for the question about the impact of a change in President on policy toward Syria and Lebanon, I would see little prospect of change as long as the Revolutionary Guard remain the driving force behind Iran's relationship with Hezbullah and Hamas. Also remember, among Shia Muslims around the Middle East and beyond Iran is a very important counter-point to the dominance of the Sunni branch of Islam. Many powerful figures in the regime feel Iran needs to remain a champion of resistance to maintain its global influence

As for the prospects of a peaceful transfer of power or civil war, the outcome of this drama will be decided by the power struggle among the elite. Who emerges as the stronger force - the pragmatists or the hardliners?

RTE Prime Time: Mark

kingkane wrote: »

Youth unemployment is a massive problem in Iran (and the Muslim world generally) to what exact has Ahmadinejad been able to address it at all? And has that shored up his support amongst some portions of the younger voters?

Great question to which they is - as always in Iran - a contradictory answer.

Among urban middle-class young people, Ahmadinejad is a symbol of thwarted dreams. The quality of education they receive is very high by international standards and quite equal - woman form a majority of graduates - but they have few prospects of achieving their dreams in an economy that is heavily focussed on state enterprise and oil wealth rathe than innovation.

The rural poor feel Ahmedinejad has been a champion of their cause - because he has redirecting oil wealth away from the powerful cronies to ordinary people. They have been the beneficiaries of his economic policies.

But the urban working class, who have borne the brunt of Iran's economic sclerosis are conflicted. What Ahmedinejad has done to create wealth in their neighbourhoods is offset by the caustic impact of rising prices.

Ahmadinejad has been very skilful in holding on to the support of the working class and poorer Iranian with massive public works spending and redistribution but that is proving to be a very blunt instrument, made even more blunt by inflation.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

solice wrote: »

Hi Mark,

From a western point of view,Mousavi is no better than Ahmadinejad, he wont stop their nuclear program, he is suspicious of the west, he wont bring about significant change within the countrys leadership that will make Iran a friendly country(?)

So why should we really care about whats going on?

Solice

You know, I can see why it would seem this is a distant drama but believe me, this proud nation of 70 million people, inheritors to the Persian empire of the past, in the most sensitive region on earth, with a huge position of influence in the Muslim world, on the verge of being a nuclear power, with an historical rivalry to the United States and with access to vast natural resources on which we in the West depend .... I don't know, take your pick of reasons why this is the most important story in the world right now. Put simply, everything from the price of the petrol you put in your car to the future shape of the world your grandkid inherits will be determined - at least in part - by what is happening right now in Iran.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Orlaithf wrote: »

Mousavi has been described in the past by an Iranian oppostion member as a "pocket-sized version of Ayatollah Khomeini". My question is how much of a reformist is he really? He shares many similarities with Ahmadinejad in that he has stated that he wants Iran to continue nuclear enrichment and he refuses to recognise Israel. These are both pivotal issues which will impact any future diplomatic relationship with the US and the United Nations. He has made calls for disbanding the religious police but even Ahmadinejad himself has moved away from the religious mullahs and is more at home with the military leaders. Does Mousavi really hold out the promise of significant change for Iran?

Orlaith, there's a lot in your question which I think I may have answered in part in a previous reponse.

But let me just take a moment to share a sense of what the young Iranians supporting the protests are feeling right now. The people hoping for the best and preparing for the worst

I e-mail an old friend in Tehran the other day wishing her the best. This is her response (one view, not a definitive view):

Thank you for you kid thoughts Mark, but i am feelng overwhelmed by a mixture of hope and despair. I don't know how much of this is a game the big guys are playing in which we sepcially the courageous youngsters are pawns.
I ahve two problems that will not abate as questions. why did this guy ahve to be so brazen in his cheating because we know he has cheated, karoubi could not possibly ahve only got 250000 votes, that is impossible, just his campaign workers must ahve been more than that.
so why why on earth did they bring about this unrest so willingly. did they not anticipate it or is this part of their end of days scenario for the country and the rest of the world?
I sound apocalyptic because I now believe if this man remains he will be the head of a very frightening islamic fascist movement with all the resources this resource rich country has to offer.
my second problem is how are they going to conclude this to the satisfaction of themeseves and the people. because that one will be hard as far as I see .


I can hear the sound of pro mussavi kids coming up vail e asr. we didn't go out today because the rumour mill told us this would be a trap.now it is night time and we worry they will open fire again especially as there are rumours that the electricity will be turned off. already my gmail is gone....one of our main ways of telling each other what is happening.
mobiles are off again.
we still have satellite TV, but with interruptions to BBC persian which is the main source of proper news and analysis in persian.


I can't imagine this getting better before it gets worse, I wonder where Musssavi is today?


Pray for us and our kids.the youngsters are angry and have little to lose and their friedsn are dead.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Funglegunk wrote: »

Hi Mark,

Do you think that Mousavi is the true leader of this protest movement, or has he just become a figurehead or rallying point for Iranians desperate for a more radical change than he actually represents?

And how much do Mousavi's policy positions, particularly foreign policy, really differ from Ahmadinejad's?

further to our conversations about Mousavi, here's a pretty good guide to the man and the myth

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/world/middleeast/18moussavi.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

RedPlanet

On post 30
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=60756517&postcount=30
You ask us to

As for Ahmadinejad, it is not my job to characterise his personality. I would advise readers to do their own research about his views on Israel and the Holocaust

But why should we care about his views on the Holocaust?
That event occured 60 years ago, it has no relevance in todays issues.

It seems like this is an attempt by RTE, to label Ahmadinejad a "holocaust denier", which stikes me as a bit unethical.
Don't you remember when the Jewish leaders in Iran met Ahmadinejad in 2007?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNcaQ4k7VM8

Surely Ahmadinejad's views on say, US/UK's war on terror, or the IAEA, or teh current state of the economy has much more relevance today than his views on teh Holocaust.
RTE shouldn't go around character assassinating.

DeVore

Hello and welcome to our part of the internet Mark. (Its Tom here).

My question is a little off topic but I wanted to know your opinion on it.
Given you were key to the reporting coverage of Obama's election, what is your take on the declaration by H Clinton that settlement in Gaza should stop and the slap in the face the Israelis gave as a reply? Do you think Obama will stand his ground and stand by their decision to oppose further settlement?

Also, its hard to get an idea of exactly how many people are supporting the opposition in Iran, is it a few hundred thousand or does this really have the capacity to throw Iran into a civil war?


Putting my administrator hat on, welcome to the site and thanks for taking the time to give us such complete responses to the questions put!

Tom "DeV" Murphy

oscarBravo

RedPlanet wrote: »

But why should we care about his views on the Holocaust?
That event occured 60 years ago, it has no relevance in todays issues.

The Holocaust has "no relevance"? What a strange idea.

It seems like this is an attempt by RTE, to label Ahmadinejad a "holocaust denier", which stikes me as a bit unethical.

It's an incredible leap to take a suggestion that people do their own research, and claim that it's an attempt to label.

RTE shouldn't go around character assassinating.

And posters here shouldn't go around inventing reasons to criticise journalists who engage openly with the community.

tbh

Mark, how much of a role does Mousavi's wife have to play in all of this? I got the impression that the campaign was more about her than him. Has she made any statements, and does she have any role to play in bringing this to a resolution?

RedPlanet

oscarBravo wrote: »

The Holocaust has "no relevance"? What a strange idea.

in today's issues, did you forget that bit?

oscarBravo wrote: »

It's an incredible leap to take a suggestion that people do their own research, and claim that it's an attempt to label.

Rubbish, he's making an implication about the president of Iran's views on the Holocaust. He's not simply floating the idea of doing your own research.

oscarBravo

RedPlanet wrote: »

Rubbish, he's making an implication about the president of Iran's views on the Holocaust. He's not simply floating the idea of doing your own research.

In your opinion, which has been noted, thanks. Back on topic.

DeVore

Can we keep this on a Q&A keel please... if you want a regular discussion about that topic, well... I dont think we've run out of new threads juuuust yet.

DeV.

Biggins

Obvioulsy the religious head won't want to lose face by admitting that there was an election con. With that in mind, can there really be a political change from Ahmadinejad to anyone else if ALL (not very likely) the votes were correctly counted the second time around?

If Ahmadinejad is not seen by the rest of the world as legit (and we shouldn't treat him as such in my opinion), should we then no longer deal with him but ask for other more legitimate representatives to come and talk?

Its obvious the religious heads are playing for time and eventually will change nothing I think. They don't want to lose face I suspect by additionally asking Ahmadinejad to step down due to his con re-election.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

lostexpectation wrote: »

does rte generally double check stories or take them straight off the wires?

I can only speak for myself, but - in the first instance - it depends on the transparency of the source - if I can see where a quote or piece of information comes from, it carries greater weight. There are certain wire services that are more reliable than others - and I can say that from experience. For television purposes, we need to hear from a primary source - we need to see it in video. That sometimes puts a higher burden on broadcasters since they need to have visual proof of a storyline.

DTrotter

What do the Mullahs think of Mousavi and vice cersa? Isn't the only way for a true revolution to get rid fo them?

RTE Prime Time: Mark

DeVore wrote: »

Hello and welcome to our part of the internet Mark. (Its Tom here).

My question is a little off topic but I wanted to know your opinion on it.
Given you were key to the reporting coverage of Obama's election, what is your take on the declaration by H Clinton that settlement in Gaza should stop and the slap in the face the Israelis gave as a reply? Do you think Obama will stand his ground and stand by their decision to oppose further settlement?

Also, its hard to get an idea of exactly how many people are supporting the opposition in Iran, is it a few hundred thousand or does this really have the capacity to throw Iran into a civil war?

Thanks Tom. This is a really valuable opportunity for me. I can't really comment on US policy towards Israel, save to say I think Obama see the conflict in Palestine in a far wider context than his predecessors, including Bill Clinton. He understands there is no stand-alone solution - there must be engagement with a whole host of interconnected players, including Iran.

And so back to the central issue, I really can't say exactly how broad the support for the protests is. But I do get the sense it is wider than previous reformist movements. The very fact that today's big march in Tehran took place in the south of the city - well away from the wealthy, middle-class suburbs in the north of the city - tells me that Mousavi's people are confident they have eaten into the traditionally conservative constituencies. Still, don't underestimate Ahmadinejad's populist touch. He has connected on a very deep level with the rural poor, who regard him as their champion inside an elitist establishment.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

RedPlanet wrote: »

On post 30
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=60756517&postcount=30
You ask us to
But why should we care about his views on the Holocaust?
That event occured 60 years ago, it has no relevance in todays issues.

It seems like this is an attempt by RTE, to label Ahmadinejad a "holocaust denier", which stikes me as a bit unethical.
Don't you remember when the Jewish leaders in Iran met Ahmadinejad in 2007?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNcaQ4k7VM8

Surely Ahmadinejad's views on say, US/UK's war on terror, or the IAEA, or teh current state of the economy has much more relevance today than his views on teh Holocaust.
RTE shouldn't go around character assassinating.

I will let my original reply speak for itself and let others do the assassinating.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

tbh wrote: »

Mark, how much of a role does Mousavi's wife have to play in all of this? I got the impression that the campaign was more about her than him. Has she made any statements, and does she have any role to play in bringing this to a resolution?

Here's a great profile of Mousavi's wife, Zahra, from Newsweek

http://www.newsweek.com/id/201654?from=rss

RTE Prime Time: Mark

Biggins wrote: »

Obvioulsy the religious head won't want to lose face by admitting that there was an election con. With that in mind, can there really be a political change from Ahmadinejad to anyone else if ALL (not very likely) the votes were correctly counted the second time around?

If Ahmadinejad is not seen by the rest of the world as legit (and we shouldn't treat him as such in my opinion), should we then no longer deal with him but ask for other more legitimate representatives to come and talk?

Its obvious the religious heads are playing for time and eventually will change nothing I think. They don't want to lose face I suspect by additionally asking Ahmadinejad to step down due to his con re-election.

There are certainly people in the elite who are scared of losing face. But I think there are also members of the elite - clerics, politicians, soldiers - who want to see the back of Ahmadinejad because they believe he threatens the survival of their Islamic revolution. The question is are they powerful enough within the right institutions of the state - such as the assembly of experts, the expediency council and the Majlis - and do they feel they can be seen to side with a protest movement with such destabilising potential for the regime.

RTE Prime Time: Mark

lostexpectation wrote: »

is the west just getting the better off, internet connected view, when it said that Ahmadinejad is genuinely popular with larger poorer rural vote, just like sinatwa in thailand.


Straight Question to Mark. Did Mousavi win the election. YES or NO.

The first part of your question definitely has some truth to it. Foreign correspondents tend to be enamoured of cool, young Iranian kids who speak English freely in the nicer parts of Northern Tehran (and have access to technology). But as i have said in other replies, there is something more to this movement than cool kids who tweet and blog.

As to the second part of your question, a straight answer is I don't know. And right now, anyone who tells you otherwise should be treated with real caution.