IRAQ WAR: Mobs

Democracy is based on rational discourse, which may well involve protests. Mobs are quite a different matter. The mob which protested against the Iraq war yesterday in East Los Angeles was a disgrace. In Baghdad, a mob staged an anti-American protest, which was testimony to widespread resentment. But what do you make of this Reuters item (4/14/03)?:

"Iraqi embassy stormed in Iran: Dozens of supporters of Iraq's main Shi'ite Muslim opposition group stormed the Iraqi embassy in Tehran, tore down pictures of Saddam Hussein and chanted "Death to America" on Friday, witnesses said. The protesters who had gathered for what was billed as a peaceful demonstration outside the embassy, climbed over the walls of the diplomatic mission and went inside the building, smashing windows and furniture. After tearing down Saddam's portraits, they carried pictures of Ayatollah Mohammad Bakir Hakim, leader of the Iranian-based Supreme Council for the Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), which draws its support from Iraq's Shi'ite majority. Police moved in to disperse people outside the diplomatic villa, including journalists".

RH: While the main concern now is future action against Syria, Iran will clearly be a problem too.

Ronald Hilton - 4/14/03