"In the final hours of the fierce contest, Mousavi got a sharp warning from the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard that authorities would crush any attempt at a popular "revolution" inspired by the huge rallies and street parties calling for more freedoms.

The threat Wednesday reflected the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding the up-for-grabs election. It also marked a sharp escalation by the ruling clerics against Mousavi's youth-driven campaign and its hopes of an underdog victory.

The Revolutionary Guard is one of the pillars of the Islamic establishment and controls large military forces as well as a nationwide network of militia volunteers.

The message from the Guards' political chief, Yadollah Javani, appeared aimed at rattling Mousavi's backers just before the polls open Friday and to warn that it would not tolerate the formation of a post-election political force under the banner of Mousavi's "green movement" — the signature color of his campaign.

In a statement on the Guards' Web site, Javani drew parallels between Mousavi's campaign and the "velvet revolution" that led to the 1989 ouster of the communist government in then-Czechoslovakia, saying "some extremist (reformist) groups, have designed a colorful revolution ... using a specific color for the first time in an election."

Javani called it a "sign of kicking off a velvet revolution project in the presidential elections," and vowed any "attempt for velvet revolution will be nipped in the bud." It also accused the reformists of planning to claim vote rigging and provoke street violence if Mousavi loses.

On Thursday, Mousavi's official campaign Web site said the candidate asked Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to intervene to save the health of the election. In the letter, which the site said Mousavi sent on Wednesday, the candidate accused Ahmadinejad of using government facilities during his campaign and the country's Revolutionary Guards of intervening.

"There are some indications about intervention of some commanders and officials of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij in the election," the Web site quoted the letter as saying. It did not elaborate

There were no reports of reaction from Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters in Iran.

The all-night street rallies and the joyful campaign of Mousavi's supporters have rekindled the passions and hopes of reformists after Ahmadinejad's victory four years ago. Their calls are similar to the days of reformist President Mohammad Khatami — more social freedoms, media openness and outreach to the West. "

From http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090611/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran_election



"He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone..."

Does that count for torture as well? No more criticsm by Brits???