Iranian democrats tell US where to stick its $85m

[kevinmc]

Asia Times

While gauging public opinion can be a tall order in Iran, many of those who have spoken out so far say they are keen to maintain their independence, and this includes American money to continue their efforts to promote democracy in Iran.

The Bush administration has US$75 million in emergency funding to promote democracy in Iran, in addition to $10 million already budgeted.

Mohammad Ali Dadkhah is a co-founder of the Center for Human Rights Defenders. Dadkhah tells RFE/RL that democratic changes should come from inside the country - without outside interference. "Democracy is not a product that we can import from another country," Dadkhah said. "We have to prepare the ground for it so that it can grow and bear fruit - especially because independent and national forces, and also self-reliant forces, in Iran will never accept a foreign country telling them what to do and which way to take."

http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HD06Ak02.html

[FloridaPat]

1. Emergency spending? How much are they spending to promote

democracy in the USA?

[trotsky]

3. It's one of our exports now.

We certainly aren't using it here anymore.

[bryant69]

2. They can't take the money publically.

It looks too much like a bribe. That said, I'm sure we'll figure out some way to get them the money under the table.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[RufusEarl]

4. A wise man

"Democracy is not a product that we can import from another country, "Dadkhah said. "We have to prepare the ground for it so that it can grow and bear fruit"