For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 24, 2004
Statement by the President
I am very disappointed in the recently disputed parliamentary
elections in Iran. The disqualification of some 2,400 candidates by
the unelected Guardian Council deprived many Iranians of the
opportunity to freely choose their representatives. I join many in
Iran and around the world in condemning the Iranian regime's efforts to
stifle freedom of speech -- including the closing of two leading
reformist newspapers -- in the run-up to the election. Such measures
undermine the rule of law and are clear attempts to deny the Iranian
people's desire to freely choose their leaders.
The United States supports the Iranian people's aspirations to live
in freedom, enjoy their God-given rights, and determine their own
destiny.
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