GNS Spokesman on US reax to protests, plus pro reform demo on Saturday

(22 Jun 2003)

14 June 2003
(Night shots)
1. Wide shot of protesters confronting riot police in a Tehran University dormitory street in the city
2. Various shots of crowds of protesters shouting at police line
3. Various shots of riot police moving in to clear-out protesters
4. Low-light shots of police arresting protesters
5. Wide shot of street and police

16 June 2003
(Day shots)
6. Wide shot of news conference as Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman walks to podium
7. Close shot reporter taking notes
8. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Hamid Reza Asefi, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman:
"Unfortunately, the Americans have displayed their animosity towards our people very vividly. There were different statements from American officials, which are outstanding examples of irresponsible intervention in the domestic affairs of the Islamic republic of Iran."
9. Various shots of streets and traffic in central Tehran

STORYLINE:

Iran has accused the United States of attempting to interfere in Iranian domestic affairs for supporting pro-democracy protesters who clashed with Iranian police and pro-government vigilantes in Tehran last week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters at a news conference in Tehran on Monday that the United States had shown "animosity" and statements by US officials were "examples of irresponsible intervention in the domestic affairs of the Islamic republic of Iran".

His comments came after US President George W. Bush and other United States politicians appeared to express support for the protesters.

Bush said the demonstrations were driven by a desire for freedom.

Nightly clashes between the protesters and the police began last Tuesday, triggered by students protesting plans to privatise universities.

The protests snowballed into broader displays of opposition to Iran's clerical establishment.

APTN journalists in Tehran witnessed scuffles between students and riot police in a dormitory street for university students in the city late on Saturday. The police were seen to arrest some protesters.

The city appeared calm on Monday.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...