    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [February 24, 2004]
    [Page 265]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Parliamentary Elections in Iran
    February 24, 2004

        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 runup 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.