In a story from Iran this morning, officials continue to begin to admit that street protests are not 'football riots' (as wrongly reported by BBC in October). In the following story Karroubi suggests that if there are protests then it must be 'the leaders fault.'

I find examining even the 'spin doctoring' of foreign media to be interesting (if you can read between the lines). In this case it suggests some kind of 'power struggle' perhaps is going on in Iran . It is strange to hear a parlimentarian say of the current leadership "if a rift develops between the people and officials, the latter is to be blamed." Keep in mind that over half of Iran's population are the young students who doing the protests so he could be thinking ahead of his own chances of getting elected or something like that as well.
In any case, at least it isn't more of that 'football violence' propaganda that was being put out before...

http://www.irna.com/en/tnews/011105174903.etn05.shtml

Karroubi: Rift between officials and people a threat to system

Rasht, Gilan prov., Nov 5, IRNA -- Majlis Speaker Mehdi Karroubi Monday warned that any rift between officials and people will pose a serious threat to the Islamic Republic. He said that all should be vigilant in preventing this from taking place. Addressing a public gathering in Siahkal, Gilan province in northern Iran, Karroubi quoted the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini and said that if a rift develops between the people and officials, the latter is to be blamed. Karroubi said that everybody should carry out the duties he/she is entrusted with and expressed hope that public participation and efforts by officials to carry out their responsibilities will strengthen the Islamic Republic.

He said governing in Islam requires accepting responsibility and rendering service to the people which have to be thoroughly carried out.

Earlier in October, Karroubi stressed that it is important under the `current sensitive circumstances' to reinforce unity and solidarity among the Muslims.

Karroubi stated that the enemies should be aware that the standpoints of officials in Iran may be different over a range of issues but they should also be aware that the officials and people are together in hard times and in times of crises. He called on the officials of the three branches of the government to demonstrate and strengthen unity among them.

In the aftermath of the recent regional developments and its proximity to the center of the crisis, Iran should be vigilant in closely monitoring the situation, he said adding that Iran condemns terrorism in any part of the world.

One thing the students understand is that no government can govern without the consent of the governed, as the parliamentarian above suggests. Propaganda wars are always more important than bombs and bullets for this very reason, human power being an illusory thing (merely consent, or in the case of blatant propaganda, even manufactured consent). Propaganda exists and has always been used for a reason after all, even great empires with tremendous military might having crashed into ruins once losing the propaganda war and the hearts and the minds of the people at the same time.

The previous stories are here:

Student Protests in Iran

And more stories on the same theme are found near the top of the October Index page< /A>