Mahmud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, appears to be a thoroughly odious man, and it is a pity that he ‘won’ the election. But it’s fair to say that if there are more poor Iranians than rich ones, and that they were his electoral base, then he actually did win the elections. While it can be argued that not all the poor voted for him, it can also be said that not all the rich or middle-classes or westernized Iranians voted against him. Any alleged rigging only increased the margins.
So, no matter how unpleasant the victor is, he is still the winner.
The situation is somewhat similar to that which exists in Thailand; though the big difference is that in one of these countries the army is behind the incumbent.
The coverage in the international media has been so one-sided that it disregards this. Images on TV have been so manipulative focusing only on opposition supporters with little or no coverage of the other side.
Sadly, it will appear, the Iranians are in for a long period of turmoil which is neither good for them, or for the region.
The people of this troubled nation will continue to pay the price for the long history of outside meddling in their internal affairs. Another country cursed by its oil wealth.
(Published in the Bangkok Post, Monday 29 June 2009)
Wow Laos 