InfoAnda - Iran's Mousavi: now political rock star

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

VeriSign to buy Certicom; RIM backs out | Technology | | 24 January 2009
Iraq starts vote recount, may take almost 2 weeks | | 3 May 2010
Nepal's former crown prince remanded for 3 days | 15 December 2010

Former Indian Diplomat Confident Of Permanent Security Council Seat For India | 19 October 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Iran's Mousavi: now political rock star

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Iran's Mousavi: now political rock star By ROBERT H. REID,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, June 19 He's gone from colorless insider to political rock star _ a graying, bearded veteran of the Islamic regime who now stands at the forefront of a youth-driven movement fighting for change. ADVERTISEMENT Despite his newfound fame, Mir Hossein Mousavi still works out of his old office at the Iranian Art Academy and lives in the same unassuming brick home in a middle class district of Tehran as before, according to an aide. Only now, he travels with armed guards provided by the very government he is challenging. When he appears in public, such as at an opposition rally Thursday in Tehran, crowds surge around his car, chanting his name, according to witnesses in the Iranian capital. It's unclear what has propelled this calm, deliberate architect and artist _ who twice refused to seek the presidency _ into a confrontation with the ruling establishment of which he was once a part. Nor is it clear how Mousavi will respond if the opposition movement transforms from a campaign against alleged fraud in the June 12 election into a major challenge against the core values of the Islamic Republic _ that senior clerics have the final say on major issues. Even during the election campaign, Mousavi was less critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad than another challenger, former parliament speaker Mahdi Karroubi, who received only a fraction of the vote. Associates say the real firebrand in the Mousavi family is his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, a prominent professor who campaigned by his side. For years, he remained out of the political limelight, painting pictures _ mostly with religious themes _ and designing buildings, including two universities, a mosque, a museum and a shopping center. Nevertheless, a 67-year-old figure nearly devoid of personal charisma has become the champion of a generation inspired by the hope of change, organizing protests with technologies such as mobile phones and Internet that didn't exist when their parents overthrew the U.S.-backed shah in 1979. In his new role, Mousavi has displayed a common touch _ something Ahmadinejad has also sought to portray in an effort to identify with millions of impoverished Iranians. On Thursday, crowds cheered as Mousavi, dressed in a black coat and trousers, climbed on top of his SUV, addressing his followers through a loudspeaker rather than mounting a stage. Although a number of his followers have been arrested, aides insist Mousavi himself has maintained his old routine, even as his challenge to the powerful clerical establishment is growing. "Mousavi goes to his regular job as the head of Iran's Art Academy and lives with his family in the same place he lived before the election," said Qorban Behzadian Nejad, head of his campaign headquarters. "At the same time he pursues his activities for nullification of the election." Much of Mousavi's appeal among Iranians eager for change probably stems simply from the fact that he is not Ahmadinejad, a hard-liner who has failed to deliver on economic promises and who seems to relish provocative statements _ from calling protesters "dust" to denying the Holocaust _ that stir controversy at home and abroad. Hard-liner was a once a term also used to describe Mousavi during the early years of the Islamic Republic, which was established after a cleric-led uprising toppled the monarchy in February 1979. Like many educated young Iranians, Mousavi was drawn into the Islamic movement by the writings of Dr. Ali Shariati, an Iranian sociologist who tried to mesh Islamic and socialist ideals until he died in Britain under mysterious circumstances in 1977. At the core of Shariati's writings was the notion that religion should be used as an instrument for social justice and change. Those ideas inspired many idealistic young Iranians to join Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the campaign to oust Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi in 1979. Mousavi played an active role in the 1979 revolution, then served as foreign minister and later prime minister of the new Islamic republic from 1981 until 1989. For most of those years, the nation was at war with Iraq, and the government displayed little tolerance for dissent. Critics faced arrest and execution as traitors. During that period, Mousavi's office also approved the beginnings of a secret nuclear program, which has since put Iran on a collision course with the United States and its Western allies. But he also won praise for his management of Iran's economy and for trying to end the country's international isolation _ policies that often put him at odds with President Ali Khamenei, now the supreme leader and ultimate authority in the country. That has led some analysts to question whether Mousavi is motivated as much by the prospect of settling old scores with Khamenei as with promoting fundamental change in Iran. After the post of prime minister was abolished, Mousavi left the public stage, although he continued to serve on key governmental councils. He spent most of the next decade working as an architect and helping rear his three daughters. In 1997, reformists urged Mousavi to run for president but he refused. Instead the reformers turned to an obscure cleric, Mohammed Khatami, who was elected by a landslide but found himself with little power to confront the conservative religious establishment. Mousavi also declined to run in the 2005 election, which Ahmadinejad won. This year, in a reversal of fortunes, Mousavi accepted the challenge after Khatami took himself out of the running. With that came a government security detail, provided to all the presidential candidates. Mousavi promised economic reform, freedom of expression and a campaign against economic corruption. He also pledged to review laws that discriminate against women, remove the ban on privately owned television stations and curb the power of the supreme leader by taking control of security forces. __ Robert H. Reid is a veteran international correspondent for The Associated Press who reported from Iran during the 1979 revolution. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World U.N. says Colombian army killed civiliansReuters - Friday, June 19 Calif. students cleared from Chinese quarantineAP - Friday, June 19 Nevada paper rejects ad about senator's affairAP - Friday, June 19 Breakaway Catholic group to ordain 13 in MinnesotaAP - Friday, June 19 Correction: Barrel Monster-Art storyAP - Friday, June 19 Most Popular – World Viewed Clones of 9/11 hero dog unveiled in Los Angeles Obama signs note for girl who played hooky to see him Men's 'stiff upper lip' may explain cancer death rate Flyswatter-in-chief flexes his muscles in White House Pirates were democrats, says scholar View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Friday, 19 June 2009
Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests
EU to grant Ireland guarantees ahead of treaty vote
IPhone to hit stores as Apple awaits Jobs' return
Swiss court jails lover for murder of banker
World powers push for financial sector reform
Timeline of Iran's election crisis
Cats and dogs meet up online in Colombia
China slams Google over porn
Jerusalem launches debate on sharing holiest site
Turkey says willing to resume Israel-Syria talks | International |
Iraq: US soldier charged in death waives hearing
LG to produce monitor with virtualization technology
Navy monitoring North Korean ship: U.S. officials | International |
Iraq forms committee after prisoner abuse reports
China attacks Google over "pornographic" links
Tennis ace Sharapova unveils blinking phone dress
U.S. agencies eye coordinated Afghan civilian surge | International |
Doh! Wrong turn? Homer gives driving directions
New Iran opposition rally in Tehran: witnesses
U.N. says Colombian army executed innocent civilians | International |
Greenpeace spoofs Int'l Herald Trib; IHT objects
Britain wants more Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi | International |
LG to produce monitor with virtualization technology
Japan to help other countries develop nuclear power
Climate change threatens to knock crop yields
Chinese gays step quietly toward progress
Analysts: NKorea's chemical arms as grave as nukes
Bombs kill 5 police, 2 civilians in Afghanistan
Republican: Will Sotomayor represent 'all of us'?
Report: US not doing enough against gun smuggling
Global plans for birthday of Myanmar's Suu Kyi
SC job-seekers line up for gig cleaning nuke waste
Midwest storms spawn possible tornadoes
Four militants killed in Thai south: military
IPhone to hit stores as Apple awaits Jobs' return | Technology |
US Senate votes formal apology for slavery
Japan to help other countries develop nuclear power
Late cardinal's nephew claims abuse by priest
Suspected US strike kills nine in Pakistan
Miss. civil rights slayings to get historic marker
Taiwan set to mass produce swine flu vaccine: firm
Page Not Found |
RI tries _ again _ to outlaw indoor prostitution
House set to put new restrictions on Gitmo closing
US ambassador dedicates first Afghan nat'l park
Correction: Pregnant Woman Killed story
Vietnam arrests 3 democracy activists
Microsoft takes on Symantec, McAfee in security | Technology |
Federal gay marriage challenge has Hollywood style
World Bank raises China 2009 growth forecast
Japan's Laox plans to sell stake to China retailer: report
China may buy more US Treasuries: ex-central bank chief
Larry David takes acting turn for Woody Allen
Beijing defends 'buy China' order
New Yorkers travellers urged to be more polite
Thai Airways announces new president
`Jersey Boys,' StubHub team up for ticket venture
Federal gay marriage challenge has Hollywood style
Japan's Elpida to seek govt help: report
Versailles royal opera house to reopen after revamp
Belarus looks to Turkmens as ties with Russia sour
Kenzo collection fetches 1.9m euros at auction
US eases technology transfer for GE India
Italian author to receive German literary prize
En garde! Rival houses offer Picasso musketeers
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $11.64 bln
Greece's Acropolis Museum to open
Woody Allen eyes Carla Bruni for film role
Jolie, Pitt give $1 million for Pakistan refugees | Entertainment |
Just a Minute With: Sandra Bullock's Proposal | Entertainment |
Larry David takes acting turn for Woody Allen | Entertainment |
New Kids cancel Australia tour, blame recession | Entertainment |
Khamenei to lead prayer amid Iran poll unrest
Schools out, but Hong Kong teachers stay online
Britain says too early to lift Zimbabwe sanctions
Khamenei to address Iranians after election unrest | International |
Trans-Atlantic flight lands safely after pilot dies
Microsoft to provide free anti-virus software
North, South Korea talk factory park; U.S. tracks ship | International |
Iraq taking over security in cities from US
Paris Air Show sales yield unsurprisingly low
Iraq confident about security after U.S. troops leave towns | International |
South Korea tops in broadband penetration: study
Thailand's Muslim south gripped by fear | International |
Iran protester: People want a new election
Saudi faces rising swine flu threat from Muslim pilgrims
Hunch service an online tool for making up minds
Hundreds of thousands stage somber rally in Iran
Myanmar's Suu Kyi turns 64 amid outrage over trial | International |
U.S. company tells PC makers: halt China anti-porn software
Iran's Mousavi: now political rock star
Punishment for Afghan raid unlikely: U.S. military head | International |
Violence kills 11 in Afghanistan
Rights groups urge US laws to punish Internet censors
U.N. says Colombian army killed innocent civilians | International |
EU calls for US to loosen grip on Internet governance body
Japan passes law boosting anti-pirate mission | International |
Vietnam detains four more linked to rights lawyer | International |
Microsoft putting investment behind search: CEO
Microsoft takes on Symantec, McAfee in security
Apple unveils new iPhone without Steve Jobs
Asia needs bold action on climate change: S.Korea
Climate change venture aims to text Africans weather info
North and South Korea try to defuse tension
South Korea says Qualcomm licensing unfair: source | Technology |
Global campaign to mark Suu Kyi's 64th birthday
U.S. company tells PC makers: halt China anti-porn software | Technology |
Arrests at demo against Chinese leader in Slovakia: report
Ensign helped mistress's husband get 2 jobs
Indonesian candidates spar in TV debate
North Korea in global insurance scam: report
3 killed in house explosion in southern Texas
NRC to send shortfall letters to 26 atomic plants
US military debates Afghan air strike probe
Gov. Schwarzenegger's testicle sculpture a flop
Senate Dems pare back health bill
House postpones vote on judge's impeachment
ICE: Drug fugitive dubbed Ghost arrested in Ohio
S.Korea FSS hints at tighter home loan regulations
Two Koreas hold talks on future of joint project
Taiwan dollar firms on exporters, c.bank caps gains
S.Korea's KIC to resume overseas investment in 2009
Twilight star Pattinson hit by taxi as flees fans | Entertainment |
S.Korea policy should support recovery-regulator
Cher struggles, but supports child's sex change | Entertainment |
Korea Hot Stocks
"Twilight" star Pattinson hit by taxi as flees fans
Katherine Heigl returning to Grey's Anatomy | Entertainment |
Katherine Heigl returning to "Grey's Anatomy"
Seoul shares rise on econ hopes; chip issues up
Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Ennis House to be sold | Entertainment |
'Ocean's 12' star Cassel has 'Cross' to bear in Oz
South Korea says Qualcomm licensing unfair-source
Old Hound Dogs Leiber & Stoller up to new tricks | Entertainment |
TLC: Jon & Kate announcing a major decision Monday
US trade board rules against Chinese tire makers
Cher struggles, but supports child's sex change
Michelin to invest one billion euros in India: report
Kelly Preston takes first role since son's death
Katy Perry vs. Katie Perry | Entertainment |
Archuleta's dad enters plea in prostitution case
US woman ordered to pay 1.92 mln dlrs in music piracy case
Alba follows apology with donation to United Way
Tonys retiring special theatrical event category
Google vows to fight porn in China after govt rebuke
Stanford to face federal court on fraud charges
Iran people picked who they wanted: Khamenei
Air France to compensate crash victims' families | International |
Google China ordered to block porn access
UN rights chief warns Iran over protest crackdown
Chubby people live longest: Japan study
Policeman killed in ETA car bombing: official
LCD TV sales outlook raised for 2009: DisplaySearch
Aid gets into Sri Lanka camps, few people get out: U.N. | International |
Nigerian rebels 'destroy' oil pipeline
Stanford to appear in court on fraud charges
Google translation tool aims to improve Iran info access
Britain wins EU bank bailout assurances: document
F1 governing body 'not surprised' at sport's split
Telling a story in 140 characters or less
U.N. reports big drop in Colombia cocaine production | International |
Porsche 9-month sales shed 15 pct to 4.6 bln euros
Pakistani cleric's murder stokes sectarian tension | International |
US woman to pay 1.92 mln dlrs in music piracy case
Swedish museum looks back at 50 years of Ikea design
Global crisis pushes 100 million into hunger | International |
Bomb kills policeman in Spain, ETA blamed | International |
Study: US technology key to China and climate
Obama promoting fatherhood as national priority
Smaller crowds greet new iPhone from Apple | Technology |
Eight percent admit to downloading video illegally | Technology |
Fla. judge to consider releasing Caylee's autopsy
Google translation tool aims to improve Iran info access | Technology |
Nude hiking buffs ready to shed as solstice nears
Pakistani jets bomb suspected Taliban facilities
Unicom, Apple close to iPhone deal for China: Merrill | Technology |
Taiwan, US break up human smuggling ring
Southern Baptists to gather in Kentucky
Afghan police: 16 Taliban killed in battle
Google China ordered to block porn access | Technology |
Jackie O half-brother under investigation in Ore.
LCD TV sales outlook raised for 2009: DisplaySearch | Technology |
Chinese TV employees suspended for Tiananmen broadcast
Global campaign marks Suu Kyi's 64th birthday
Obama's Darfur policy lacks clarity, advocates say
Celebrity birthday wishes for Aung San Suu Kyi
Consumers could get up to $4,500 toward new car
SKorea rejects North's demand on factory park
Detroit man confession: 'I kill people for money'
Google to step up anti-porn efforts in China
Australia PM faces down car-dealer scandal
SKorean PM says climate change a threat to Asia
China shares rise after 9-month ban on IPOs ends
North Korean soccer brings Chinese company success
Japanese stocks rise on upbeat US data
Thailand must address illegal ivory market: TRAFFIC
Thailand's exports plunge at record rate in May
Pakistan looks abroad to boost energy capacity
Brazilian fashion gets racy -- and racial
'Balibo' understates cruelty killings: Ramos-Horta
Cricket calms Indian student tensions in Australia
Indonesian woman murders newborn out of shame
Frank Lloyd Wright's famed Ennis House to be sold
Swedish museum looks back at 50 years of Ikea design
Boyle: Hopeful 'Slumdog' improves kid stars' lives
Source: Knight out, Heigl in on `Grey's Anatomy'
President Marks Father's Day With Town Hall, Mentoring Session With Dwayne Wade
Obama: Russian Nuclear Proliferation Still A Global Threat
Jury Awards Record Companies $1.92 Million In P2P Lawsuit Redux
Republicans Blast Obama's Refusal To "Meddle" With Iran's Contested Elections
Deadlock Grips New York Senate As Democratic Boycott Continues
Chinese-Made Kick Body Boards Recalled For Lead Paint Hazard
Minnesota Lawmaker Launches Campaign To Succeed Gov. Pawlenty
Pentagon Deploys Defense System To Hawaii To Protect Against North Korean Missile
Houston Billionaire Allen Stanford Arrested For $8 Billion Fraud
Supplemental War Spending Bill Worth $106B Gets Senate Nod
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01