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Sometimes you just have to wonder how much the Bush government really wants political reform in Iran. Judging by the actions of the US and their very predictible responses by the Iranian establishment, it would be hard to argue that the US wants anything but the status quo. When reform-minded President Mohammed Khatami took a risk and called for improved relations<\/a> with the United States, Bush hit back with the infamous \u201c axis of evil<\/a>\u201d speech, sending the patriotic Iranian opposition squarely into the camp of the more suspicious Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and weakening Khatami\u2019s position. Also, the on-and-off working relationship between the US and Iran on all matters al-Qaida have been punctuated<\/a> by accusations of knowingly sheltering al-Qaida operatives. Now, with several days of student protests<\/a> against the hardline clerics are hinting at a revolution (or counter-revolution, depending on whose side you\u2019re on), George Bush has stepped into the fray with praise<\/a> for student protesters that could prove counterproductive. Already, Khamenei has tied protestors to Bush\u2019s comments and warned of a crackdown that could turn violent. \u201cIf [the United States] sees that disgruntled people and adventurers want to cause trouble<\/a>, and if it can turn them into mercenaries,\u201d said Khamenei, \u201cit will not hesitate in giving them its support.\u201d Vigilantes allied with the government have responded a call by Khamenei by bringing their Kalashnikovs to protests and beating dorm residents<\/a> at Tehran University. Unconvinced by the use of his previous statements to label protestors as American agents, Bush has continued<\/a> to try to hijack the movement. \u201cI think freedom is a powerful incentive,\u201d Bush said. \u201cI believe that some day, freedom will prevail everywhere, because freedom is a powerful drive.\u201d That freedom includes, one hopes, the freedom to bring change to your country without \u201chelp\u201d from abroad.<\/p>\n

<\/i><\/p>\n

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.\n<\/p>\n

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