House resolution supports Iran protesters

WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Friday approved a resolution showing support for Iranians protesting the country's disputed presidential election.

"When America hears the call for freedom, we ought to answer," Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., the minority whip, said. "We have a moral responsibility to speak out on behalf of the Iranian people."

The resolution, approved 405-1, expresses "support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law ... ."

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was the lone "nay" vote.

President Barack Obama has been criticized by some Republicans and conservatives for not taking what they consider a more forceful position on the discontent in Iran since the June 12 presidential election in which hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the landslide winner over his nearest challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the White House "obviously welcome(s) the resolution."

"We believe ... that it echoes the words of President Obama throughout the week," Gibbs said.

Asked for reaction to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's warning to protesters to stop protesting, Gibbs said Obama has said, "those who wish to have their voices heard should be able to do that ... without fear of violence. That is an important universal principle that should be upheld."

Gibbs said Obama did not want to be a political foil or political football in the debate by Iranians in Iran.

"There are people in Iran that would love for us to get involved, "Gibbs said. "There are people in Iran who would love not to make it about one side in Iran versus another, but to make this about Iran versus the West or Iran versus the United States of America. The president's not going to do that."