American guy writes about news and current events, with an emphasis on Iran. Topics include current events, politics, culture and history - among others. American guy lived in Teheran when he was a teenager. He attended Tehran American School while in Iran. The school closed in December of 1978. He enjoyed his experiences there very much, and remains active in TAS alumni activities. Witnessing the revolution first hand, had a profound effect on him. He still loves Iran.
Wednesday, July 30
The people's demands: What are they?
From the blog, "Free thoughts on Iran".
"Here I'll argue that people's demands in Iran are not clear even to themselves as a whole....
A concerted and firm effort to extend the freedom of speech and the press is the missing loop in Iran's reform movement. People have not gained any effective ways of expressing themselves, have no clear idea of what they want any more and thus have become hopeless. The voiceless popular movement is choking, (has choked?)on itself."
Lately I have been feeling uneasy because of the confusing signals coming from Washington on the Iran issue. Sometimes I think that they are just a bunch of idiots, but then at others they seem to make perfect sense. The recent comments by Colin Powell upset me, because they seemed to be in direct conflict with the messages come'n from Dubya. When I heard the President (Dubya) speaking out in support of the students I breathed a sigh of relief because I thought he had a firm grasp on the issues. (Of course he has given many more hints besides just that one comment.) Then I hear Colin Powell make comments that sound like they don't get it at all. They don't seem to be reading from the same script! I just cringe when I hear statements about making deals with the evil regime. Well I hope they will all come around to what this article refers to as the "Neo-Con" point of view, because that is the one I think is correct. The realists aren't very realistic at all - in my estimation.
Like many Americans, American guy is kind of busy on Sundays...
~ therefore, there will be no bloging today. Unless by some mirracle he still has some brain cells functioning around midnite. ;-)
I just realised that I might have made it sound like I spent my Sunday drinking. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that I have many church related obligations on Sundays. Sometimes I leave for church before 10 am and don't return home till 10 pm. It sounds a bit excessive, I know, but I need all the blessings I can get. ;-)
By Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall
WASHINGTON - Renewed student-led protests in Tehran should expedite the debate in Washington about Iran. Two questions are being asked: Can protests produce regime change, and what kind of external support would help?
The history of civilian-based movements, like the one now gestating in Iran, shows that agitation in the streets is not enough to topple a government. If US assistance merely adds fuel to the existing fire, and internal opposition is not based on weakening the real sources of the regime's power, neither will work.
The "people power" revolution in the Philippines, the coalition that ousted Pinochet in Chile, South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, and civilian movements that felled communist regimes in Poland and Eastern Europe all had common strategic features. They were deliberately nonviolent, proudly indigenous, unified on the basis of practical goals, and dispersed across the map and class lines of the country - and they co-opted the military. [Editor's note: Due to an editing error, the original version of this opinion piece inaccurately referred to the "people power" revolution in the Philippines as the "Filipinos' power revolution."]
Successful civilian-based struggle makes a country ungovernable through strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience, and other nonviolent tactics - in addition to mass protests - crumbling a government's pillars of support. This is possible in Iran. Three times in the past four years, the regime's outrageous actions have provoked unrest. A majority of the parliament has threatened to walk out. A former Iranian chief justice says that many Revolutionary Guards favor change, and some have even protected students against attacks by pro-regime vigilantes.
Events in Iran are reminiscent of Serbia just before a student-sparked movement removed Slobodan Milosevic. His regime had alienated not only students but most of the middle class, which the dismal economy had shattered. The political class was also split, with many tired of the dictator. Seeing their opportunity, the opposition moved to divide the regime from its sources of power.
First, they subordinated lesser objectives to the paramount goal of ousting Mr. Milosevic. In Iran, the antiregime movement should demand specific reforms, such as ending the clerics' veto on parliamentary laws and appointments, which would neutralize the mullahs' power.
Second, the Serbs ignored the temptation of going for broke with premature demonstrations in the capital and instead organized in neighborhoods and towns around the country, giving ordinary people low-risk ways to join in. Iranians should do the same.
Third, the Serbian police and military were persuaded that they weren't seen as the enemy - that their support was welcome. To do that, the opposition had to maintain strict nonviolent discipline.
Nothing jeopardizes a movement more than mixing violent with nonviolent tactics. Street-fighting will not help Iranian protesters enlarge their ranks. Attacking the military will not persuade them to defect - they will shoot back, shifting the contest to terms favoring the regime.
When a million Serbs marched on Belgrade in October 2000, Milosevic ordered crowds dispersed, with bullets if necessary. But no shots were fired because soldiers saw that he could no longer control the people. In days he was out.
President Bush has rightly endorsed the desire for real democracy espoused by most Iranians. Other world leaders should follow his example. But the Bush administration should resist proposals to foment a general upheaval that could turn violent, because that would only justify more repression.
While outside factors have never been decisive in making a regime implode, well-focused aid for a nonviolent campaign reinforces a sound, homegrown strategy.
Serbian dissidents were given working capital - money for supplies, communications, and, most important, training in strategic nonviolent struggle. Iranians have the resources but not the know-how - which should not come from the CIA or Defense Department, but rather from pro-democracy programs throughout the West.
Cheerleading from Washington is not a policy. It makes Iranian protesters appear to be doing America's bidding, and covert support for violent action would undercut their legitimacy. What's needed is a more strategic resistance by the Iranian opposition, unified behind clear political goals, backed by broader civilian participation, using tactics that divide the clerics and their military defenders. The Iranian people have the drive, the intelligence, and the capability to make such a strategy work - and that is what the world's democracies should assist.
• Peter Ackerman is executive producer of the Peabody award-winning documentary, 'Bringing Down a Dictator' and chairman of the board of overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Jack DuVall is coauthor of 'A Force More Powerful: A Century of Nonviolent Conflict' and director of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.
My comments were to a post I was turned onto by today's (July 24th) entry, entitled "Boring or being in the same boat?" In it he laments that his post about giving up on the reform movement , got little feedback. After reading it I posted the following comment. (Oh, by the way, for me it was number 3.)
[ Well this IS an interesting post. Somehow I missed it before. Must have dismissed it because of the picture. ;-)
My belief is that the reformists can never bring much more freedom than what Iranians have now. More likely, Iranians may never have it this good again. Why? Because the reform movement began with great enthusiasm, but now that enthusiasm is lost.
I certainly can not blame anyone for not wanting to shed their own blood to bring about democracy in Iran. I wonder though, if you knew that Iran's new found freedom and democracy would last, if that would change your attitude? When you look at Iran's history it has been one change after another. It does tend to cause doubt that it will last.
I think if it is done right that it can last. I have much faith in my Iranian brothers. Over the last 23+ years you have learned much. Never before have so many Iranians lived abroad, and mostly in democracies to boot. There are a lot of people who can teach the others how democracies work and what to expect from them.
I don't think you have 10 years to wait though. You might if GW Bush fails to get re-elected next term, but he just very well may. If he does, he wont allow IRI to continue to exist in its present form. There is too much to lose. America has made a huge investment in the war against terrorism, and the IRI is trying its best to sabotage our efforts. It will all fail and leave America worse off than before we started. We aren't going to let that happen.
Bush has made it clear that he wants Iranians to overthrow the regime on their own. Unfortunately that will most likely cause many many needles deaths. And what if, after thousands and thousands of Iranian freedom fighters have died, the mullahs ratchet up their tyranny and the whole thing comes to a screaching halt - leaving them in power?
My idea would be to have a "hybrid" revolution. I know, I know, I've heard it before, no foreign intervention. But what if the students (Revolutionaries) took things to the brink, but the US was standing in the wings waiting to rush in and save them if things get too out of hand? In my idea, it is the Iranian revolutionaries who would eventually ask the US for help. From what I have read in these blogs so far, that is very far fetched, I know. But what if?
And what if GW decides to start the revolution for you? He might just try, if he thinks he might not get re-elected.
It might be time to begin thinking a little more creatively.
I was in Iran watching the last revolution and it had a profound effect on me. I was watching it as an outsider though, as an American teenager living in Tehran. I became very curious how this seeming hatred of America and what she stood for could be so deeply entrenched in an entire nation. I hungered to learn how Iran could have gotten this way. (I Knew nothing!) To me it all seemed backwards.
My love for the Iranian people and their culture has never left me, and I have always desired for them to enjoy the same kind of freedom and prosperity that we do in our country. My curiosity has continued for all of these years, but lay dormant for awhile, until Khatami got elected. I have followed the freedom movement closely since the 18 Tir student uprising.
I do want what is best for Iran. I don't think waiting will have any benefit whatsoever. ]
I have new found respect for Pedram, after reading today's post
[1981 was actually a pretty important year for me. I was 14. This was the year I got banned from school (resulting failing for the first time after being a great student for years), was hunted down, had to disappear and re-birth myself in a new environment so I can go to a different school, started a small business, was hurt during a demonstration, was arrested 3 times and eventually was sentenced to death. I know it sounds rather outlandish. To be perfectly honest, it often sounds unbelievable to myself and I sometimes think back to those days and can swear that it must've happened to somebody else, not me. But it is all true and it sure feels like it was only yesterday.]
The French idea of Liberty often leaves much to be desired. Outlawing of words is a good example. I wonder if any government employees will lose their jobs for making the E-mail slip-up? This is really being silly, you guys.
E-mail? The French beg to differ
By Jo Best
Silicon.com
July 18, 2003, 12:08 PM PT
The latest Anglicism to fall out of favor in France is the word "e-mail," now banned from use by government employees.
The word "e-mail" can now no longer be used in French official communication, including documents, memos, the internet and even e-mails themselves.
The General Commission on Terminology and Neology, part of the French Culture Ministry and affiliated to the Academie Francaise--which outlawed the word "Walkman" in favor of "baladeur" some years ago--prefers the French alternative "courriel."
The edict on "courriel," a shortened version of the phrase "courrier electronique," or electronic mail, is not expected to make a lot of difference to the common parlance of French technophiles.
"E-mail" has been in use in Europe for years, and the commission's decision will be largely arbitrary to French speakers, who are particularly fond of slipping the odd English word--"le meeting," "le cash"--into conversation.
The word "courriel" is French Canadian in origin, a French dialect considered a bastardization of the language by traditionalists in France.
Rouzbeh Gerami is an Iranian living in California. I just dicovered his blog a few minutes ago.
FROM ROUZBEH'S BLOG - "PERSIANGARDEN"
[Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Republicanism Manifesto
Akbar Ganji, one of the most prominent Iranian reformist journalists which is already in jail for his articles in the banned newspapers has published his important "manifesto" (Persian PDF) . In this manifesto he suggests a big shift in the strategy of reformist forces. He believes that "constitutionalism" (trying to restrict the power of unelected institutions in favour of the elected ones and seeking democracy within the existing constitution) has failed. He wants all the reformists to pursue a "full republic" which should be gained by changing the constitution. The most important tactic that he suggests is "civil disobedience".
Ganji's opinions are quite influential within the reformist movement. It won't take long before this suggested strategy comes to the reformists' agenda.
posted by Rouzbeh Gerami 2:01 PM ]
I can not read the Manifesto myself because I can't read Farsi, so I copied this text from Rouzbeh's blog. From what I'm reading here in Rouzbeh's post, I'd have to say I agree with Ganji's assesment of the situation. Should Ganji be on the list of possible future leaders of Iran? I don't know enough about him yet to have an opinion, but he sounds promising. Funny, he didn't make the list...hmmmmmm.
From SMCCDI's news feed. ~ "The 3 youngsters were seen pulled out of their car and beaten by members of the regime's Bassidj in the Vali-Asr square of Tehran as apparently they protested against the confiscation of their music tapes."
There, but for the grace of God go I. I am so grateful that I get to live in America. It is only by accident of birth that I have escaped the wrath of the Arabised behaviour police, known as the Basidj militia.
Just read this on SMCCDI's news feed. Will they succeed? I doubt they will be able to stop enough of them. Even if they could, people will probably find a way around it. How much more of this will the people take? Time will tell...
I thought Blair's Speech yesterday was brilliant, and right on the mark. I share his values. So does Andrew Sullivan What an interesting chap, that Andrew Sullivan is.
Unfortunately, many Americans still won't notice IRI's brutality because...
All the US news channels are dominated by Bush's WMD allegations against Iraq in last January's State of the Union Speech.
It might surprise you that I have an opinion on this. I say the acusations are just so much hot air. Politicaly motivated noise!
Here is my take on it: EVERYBODY JUST - SHUT UP!!!!
First of all, we would have gone to war whether President Bush had included that sentence in his speech or not. Congress had already voted to go to war two months earlier, including most democrats.
I have supported the war in Iraq all along. I have no doubt that we did the right thing. It seems like the whole country is arguing about something that doesn't really matter very much.
" Kharrazi says: "Journalist may have fallen." Just like all those students who tripped and fell out of second-floor windows on 18 Tir! Next thing you know, they'll be saying she killed herself by throwing herself down the stairs!! "
Khameneh'i Appointed thug Murders Canadian Journalist With Shoe...OOPS!
From SMCCDI: Current News & Articles
Leader appointed prosecutor Mortazavi murdered Zahra Kazemi
Report Section
Jul 17, 2003
PARIS - It is now becoming clear that the man who caused the death of Ms. Zahra Kazemi, the Iranian-born, Canadian photojournalist is Mr. Sa’id Mortazavi, promoted recently by Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i, the leader of the Islamic Republic as the Prosecutor of Tehran and the Islamic Revolution tribunal.
Ms. Kazemi, 54, was detained on 23 June in front of the Evin prison and died in hospital on 11 July of what Iranian officials admitted Wednesday as brain hemorrhage due to "blows" received on her head during interrogations at the Intelligence Ministry.
At first, Iranian authorities said the photographer died from a brain stroke, but on Wednesday, and under mounting pressures from the international human rights and press organizations, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ali Abtahi, President Mohammad Khatami’s deputy for legal and parliamentary affairs confirmed for the first time officially that Ms. Kazemi died of brain bleeding "due to blows on her head".
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham said during a conference call with media on Wednesday that he had been told by his Iranian counterpart that Ms. Kazemi died of a fractured skull; although how she got the fatal injury had not been determined.
"The incident has no outcome other than tarnishing our international image at a time when we are in deep crisis at home and abroad", Abtahi told journalists.Informed sources, speaking on conditions of anonymity, revealed Thursday that the arrest of Ms. Kazemi was ordered by Mr. Mortazavi who personally interrogated the photojournalist and beat her "frequently" in order "to force her to reveal the country that had sent her to Iran for espionage".
"Mortazavi personally beat on Kazemi’s head with his shoe", the French daily "Liberation" reported on Thursday, quoting "well-informed Iranian sources."The men who arrested Ms. Kazemi were plainclothes thugs belonging to Mr. Mortazavi, who interrogated her at his own office. During the 3-4 days she was there, the photographer was under constant tortures and savagely beaten up by Mr. Mortazavi and other interrogators from the Judiciary", confirmed Dr. Karim Lahji, an outstanding Iranian jurist and lawyer based in Paris.
"She was handed over to the Information Ministry after she suffered injuries. There, people, seeing her bad physical state, send her to the medical department, where doctors immediately decided to transfer her to the Baqiatollah hospital, where she went into coma before dying", added Lahiji, who now acts as defence for Ms. Kazemi’s 26 years-old Stephen Hachemi.
Both the Iranian Islamic Human Rights Committee and the Majles’ Foreign Affairs and Security Committee have also confirmed that Ms. Kazemi was under the custody of the leader-controlled Judiciary and Tehran’s prosecutor, interrogated and tortured before being handed over to the Information Ministry.Informed sources told Iran Press Service that at least four Iranian journalists, namely Reza Alijani, Hoda Saber, Taqi Rahmani and Amir Teyrani, all close to the Nationalist-religious movements, are in Mortazavi’s custody and tortured.
Rejecting demands by the Canadian government, Stephen Hachemi and Iranian and international human rights and press groups for the transfer of Ms. Katemi’s body to Montreal for autopsy, Iranian government’s official spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said on Wednesday that once identified and arrested, the would be culprits would be handed over to the Judiciary, meaning to Judge Mortazavi, the very man that murdered the journalist.
Tehran, which insists adamantly that Ms. Kazemi is an Iranian citizen and never mention her Canadian citizenship, have so far rejected the demands, but promised Ottawa that they would do "all they can" to have the culprits punished according to Iranian laws.
"If proved that she was spying, then there would be no culprits", one Iranian journalist noted, reminding that the Iranian Judiciary would eventually take up that accusation to absolve itself from charges of manslaughter.Iranian conservatives-controlled newspapers have criticised Mr. Khatami for naming an investigation committee in the case of Ms. Kazemi’s death and imply indirectly that she might have been a spy, since she had been arrested while taking pictures near the notorious Evin prison, a restricted area.
"If crimes have been committed, we are demanding of the Iranian government to punish those who committed the crime and we will push that case", Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien said after meeting Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.
"Because if it is the case, it's completely unacceptable that a journalist goes there to do professional work and is threatened that way".
In response to a statement by Chretien earlier this week that Canada-Iran relations would be affected if Iran does not transfer Kazemi's body to Canada, Ramezanzadeh said Chretien has not considered international law."Kazemi is an Iranian and therefore subject to national law", Ramezanzadeh observed.
But jurists say since Kazemi is also a Canadian citizen, therefore Canada has the right to ask for the body to be returned to her homeland.In faxes to both the lamed and unpopular Iranian leader and the powerless president, the Rome-based Association of Iranian Journalists Abroad (AIJA) said it holds Mr. Khameneh'i as the "only person responsible for the murder of Ms. Kazemi and asked both men to say:Who ordered the arrest of Ms. Kazemi?
Who were those who arrested her?
Why the authorities did not report on her arrest?
Where she had been held and who were the interrogators?
Why she was hospitalized in a hospital belonging to the Revolutionary Guards?Other Iranian experts, speaking to the reformers-controlled "Emrooz" (Today) internet newspaper, asked: Was the photojournalist beaten up and if the answer if positive, why?Was she also beaten while in prison?
Where was she held before being transferred to hospital?
Why the authorities first claimed Ms. Kazemi died on brain stroke?
Why it was Mortazavi who wrote the news about the death and passed it to Mr. (Mohammad Hoseyn) Khoshvaqt to be published in the name of the Guidance Ministry?
What are the connections between the death of Ms. Kazemi with Mr. Mortazavi?
If the photographer was Iranian, why it was the General Director (of the Guidance Ministry) in charge of Foreign Press that announced the death?
Which organs want the body be buried the soonest possible?
Why it was announced that Ms. Kazemi was a spy? Were the accusations examined? And by which organs?
Thousands of Iranians receive simmilar treatment at the hands of the regime, but the world takes little notice. At least this is getting attention. For some reason this sounds like something from a "Black Adder" episode. Only this is real life, so it isn't funny. My heart goes out to her family.
Iranian Girl is talking about a list of possible future leaders of Iran. She finds it funny, but I for one, am glad that somebody has bothered to compile one! I thought that except for Reza Pahlavi - all the possible future leaders of Iran were dead or in jail. At least the list has started a discussion.
Hi! I'm new to the blogosphere, so this is my first try at bloging. I've been writing about Iran to my friends for the last 2 years or so. As I've learned more about the world of blogs, I've decided that I like the concept, so I'm gonna go for it. I hope to make some new friends along the way, as I share my unique perspective with the blogosphere. I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts.
