Source: Mousavi's facebook

Following the controversy surrounding the broadcasting of the footage of tearing up Imam Khomeini's picture on state-run TV (pro-Ahmadinejad) and accusing Green students of such an act, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, former president, emphasized that it is not possible that the students would disgrace Imam Khomeini. He also stressed that protesting against oppression is our religious, revolutionary and national duty and asked the ruling powers to pay attention to people's protests.  Khatami was speaking at a meeting with members of the council of reformist parties from Fars province.

Seyyed Mohammad Khatami
 

Khatami added that the common demand of people in all social movements since the Constitutional Revolution (more than hundred years ago) until now has been the demand for real freedom and people were tired of tyranny and dictatorship, and they demanded to be free from the foreign colonialism and have independence.

Khatami added: "They are accusing us that the freedom we seek is lawlessness. No, the freedom we seek is to have ethics in the society; our freedom is based on ethics. Freedom is the opposite of tyranny and it is freedom that is the foundation of any ethical action because forced actions even if they are good if are not chosen by free will are not ethical."

Khatami by pointing out the events of the recent months and said: "some had problems and objections and unfortunately instead of dealing with them rationally and hearing the complaints so that if there is any logical issue that would be accepted and admitted, and if not people would be convinced; sadly there have been violent confrontations against people's protests to recent events, and we are witnessing the outcome."

Khatami emphasized that "Protesting to oppression is our religious, revolutionary and national duty." and added that "ruling powers should pay attention to these protests, if they accept people's authority, violent confrontation against the protests is not the solution, as these confrontations would lay the grounds for some to take some actions that we don't approve as well and these bitter problems is the result of the actions of those that are committing these wrongful confrontations, arrests and detentions, and are falsely accusing popular and dedicated figures."

He added: "We accept that the constitution is not a message from God and if anyone has an objection to it, it is not a problem; but the foundation of our movement is this constitution which is the result of the revolution and was approved by the majority of the people."

Khatami by emphasizing that protesting to injustice is our duty said: "Our criteria are clear, our views are fundamental, if the intention is that our nation gives up these principles and ideas, in my opinion, it won't give up; and it is better those who have been diverted from these ideas and criteria return to the right path and give in to the freedom of political groups, freedom of expression and costless criticism in the society."

... Payvand News - 12/14/09 ... --