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Iranian Opposition Leader Warns Against Sanctions
har lan Opposifion Leader Warns Against Sancfions - NYTiims ,com http://www.r tinies.coni'2OO9/1O/O2/wor1d/rnidd1eeast/O2iran1trn1?pag... Jflje tcw jjork timcs PRINTER-FRIENDLY FORMAT SF0 NSDRED E: ‘FAfl1AST1CALLY AJN” F Inu.O1b Fit IliQO n saEiN INTERNATIONAL October 2, 2009 Iranian Opposition Leader Warns Against Sanctions By NAZILA FATHI TORONTO — The top Iranian opposition leader warned ahead of the talks between k m and major powers in Geneva that tougher sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program could hurt the opposition movement more than the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad . The opposition leader, Mir Hussein Moussavi , whose loss against Mr. Ahmadinejad in the disputed June election led to some of the worst unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution, wrote in a statement that further sanctions would put an inordinate strain on Iranians. In the statement, published on opposition Web sites on Monday, Mr. Moussavi said foreign countries should refrain from any measures that would harm the Iranian people. “This is not sanctions against a government,” Mr. Moussavi wrote. “This would impose further pain on a nation that has already suffered a great deal by its schizophrenic rulers. We are against any kind of sanctions on people.” The major powers are considering new sanctions against Iran in response to reports that the country has built a new enrichment facility. Iran disputes the charges and says its nuclear program is for civilian uses. Mr. Moussavi's comments demonstrated the concerns among opposition leaders that any new sanctions could create a backlash in Iran, generating more support for Mr. Ahmadinejad and undermining the opposition movement. Most Iranian leaders have defended the country's nuclear program, including Mr. Moussavi, who said during the presidential campaign that he would continue the program if he were elected president. However, he stressed the need for confidence building with the West over the program. In his statement, Mr. Moussavi denounced Mr. Ahmadinej ad's foreign policy “as wrong and adventurous.” He also referred to “Iraq and Afghanistan as two big lessons on the two sides of the country,” indicating his concern over a possible military strike. Privacy Policy I Terms of Service I Search I Corrections I RSS I First Look I I Contact Us I Work for Us I Site Map 10/30/2009 5:07 PM Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers here or use the ‘Reprints” tool that appears next to any arlicle. Visit www.nytreprints.com for samples and additional information. Order a reprint of this article now. 1 of 1