(Boston Globe) Editorial - Dramatic confrontations in Iran between hard-liners and reformers, suggesting that the Islamic Republic may be tottering, recall the lesson history taught Mikhail Gorbachev: A political system rooted in lies and repression cannot long survive the telling of truth that comes with free speech. Unlike the Soviet ruling class behind Gorbachev, the Iranian hard-liners have shown no reluctance to bring on a bloodbath if that is the price for retaining their political power and their control over gigantic economic conglomerates disguised as religious foundations.
2002-12-13 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive