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Obama: Government must respect dissent

MOSCOW, July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama said he approached a meeting with Russian opposition leaders Tuesday with humility because America has tended to lecture, not listen.

"And we obviously still have much work to do with our own democracy in the United States," Obama said during the meeting in Moscow, "but nevertheless, I think we share some common values and interest in building a strong, democratic culture in Russia as well as the United States."

It is important for governments not to simply tolerate differing opinions, "but also to respect and recognize dissenting voices," Obama said.

"So I think it's very important that I come before you with some humility," Obama said. "I think in the past there's been a tendency for the United States to lecture rather than to listen."

No matter where he travels, Obama said, he always recognizes the leader of the host country not only "is the head of the government but that the society itself represents a larger spectrum of views."

Obama thanked opposition leaders for meeting with him, saying he preferred to listen to them to learn their perspectives and views.

Bar association gives Sotomayor top marks

WASHINGTON, July 7 (UPI) -- The American Bar Association has given Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, its highest rating for "professional qualification."

Sotomayor, 55, who was nominated May 26 by Obama to replace retiring Justice David Souter, was unanimously declared "well qualified" to sit on the nation's highest court by a committee of the bar association, the largest organization of lawyers in the country, CNN reported Tuesday.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said the ABA rating "should eliminate the doubts of naysayers who have questioned Judge Sotomayor's disposition on the bench."

The ABA said its review process focuses on a nominee's "professional qualifications and does not consider a nominee's philosophy or ideology." The group said it focuses on integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament.

However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., questioned Sotomayor's judicial temperament Tuesday on the floor of the Senate.

"As we consider her nomination to the Supreme Court, my colleagues should ask themselves this important question: Is she allowing her personal or political agenda to cloud her judgment and favor one group of individuals over another, irrespective of what the law says?" he said.

Sotomayor's confirmation hearings are to begin Monday.

Clinton: Restore democracy in Honduras

WASHINGTON, July 7 (UPI) -- The United States supports restoring democracy in Honduras, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday after meeting the ousted president.

Clinton told reporters she hopes mediation with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias can begin as soon as possible. She called her discussions with ousted President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras "productive."

" We discussed the events of the past nine days and the road ahead," Clinton said. "I reiterated to him that the United States supports the restoration of the democratic constitutional order in Honduras. We continue to support regional efforts through the (Organization of American States) to bring about a peaceful resolution that is consistent with the terms of the Inter-American Democratic Charter."

Clinton said she had been notified by the Costa Rican government that Roberto Micheletti, the caretaker president of Honduras, had also agreed to participate in the mediation.

The secretary said she promised Zelaya the United States would do whatever it can to prevent more violence in Honduras. Two of Zelaya's supporters were killed Sunday when his plane was denied permission to land in Tegucigalpa.

The military ousted Zelaya after he ignored Supreme Court orders and promoted a non-binding referendum many said they thought could lead to a constitutional change ending the one-term limit for presidents.

Ahmadinejad claims mandate

TEHRAN, July 7 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a televised speech Tuesday he won the "freest and the healthiest election the world has ever seen."

The president said the vote gave him a mandate, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"We have entered a new era in both the domestic sphere and at the international level," he said. "Inside the country the path people are taking is clearer than before. And we will tread on that path more powerfully than before."

While the president was speaking, some members of the opposition went to rooftops to yell "God is great" and "Death to the dictator," a method of protest that has become an evening ritual. Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called on the government to free imprisoned dissidents in a statement posted on his Web site.

Ahmadinejad said opponents have given no proof of election fraud and said the "the freest and the healthiest election the world has ever seen" brought about his "momentous re-election."

The speech appears to be an effort to damp down protest. Rallies have been planned for Thursday, the 10th anniversary of a confrontation between militias and students.

Polls open in Indonesia

JAKARTA, July 8 (UPI) -- Voting has begun in the second direct presidential election in the history of Indonesia.

Polls opened Wednesday morning local time after a campaign tinged with accusations of fraud and some violence, Voice of America reported. But electioneering was relatively peaceful.

The Democratic Party candidate is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who won the first direct election in 2004 and is seeking a second term. His approval ratings top 60 percent, which would be enough to give him a first-round victory if it translates into votes.

Sunny Tanuwidjaja with the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the voting marks the end of an era in Indonesian politics since Yudhoyono, who cannot seek a third term, and his two major opponents are likely to bow out of politics.

The challengers are Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of President Sukarno, who led Indonesia to independence. She served as president from 2001 to 2004 after the Democratic Party of Struggle won a parliamentary majority.

Jusuf Kalla of the Golkar Party is currently vice president. He also served in Megawati's Cabinet.