Below is the text of message by Minister Ronchi to the February 11 protests by Iranians in Rome:
"I thank you for your invitation to these protests, which for the West are a reminder of the dramatic suppression that has damaged Iran for months; The reverberations and intensifications of this suppression, regrettably, is on the rise.
You know full well about how close I feel to you and how I consider myself as someone who feels the pain, suffering, and courage of the women and men who pour into the streets to fight for the realization of their demands, for freedom of expression, and in a word their right to democracy. For months, we have reiterated that we can appreciate that Europe and the West cannot and must not ignore the commitment to those who fight for freedom and risk their lives.
Diplomatic ways are long and tiring. But, I believe that things have shifted in recent weeks and it has really begun. The international community has begun to press the regime to respect human rights.
Now is the time to continue to resist. This solidarity and popular will must be put into stable and concentrated practice. I had said before that one must exert maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. In parallel to this, the role of Iranian exiled communities around the world can prove effective in raising world public opinion."
Photo (AP): A woman holds a placard showing Maryam Rajavi, head of the Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance, with writing on placard in French reading, "Democracy in Iran", during a demonstration outside the Italian Parliament, in Rome, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010.