Thursday
May 18, 2000
Stalinist tone
Dr Ali Reza Nourizadeh is probably one of the few rare journalists to
have witnessed the dramatic upheavals that shook Iran in 1978-79 from close
range. He is a hardworking man with a mature view of his country's current
political processus.
I am always appalled by the strong Stalinist tone of some of the more
radical so-called Leftist press ["Hezb-e
Kargari Iran commentary"]. They seem to indulge in a plethora
of accusations and personal mud slinging that always lowers the democratic
framework practiced in most civilised socities.
Iran has never been a perfect model for democracy but there has always
been a move towards that ideal yet the first thing that is always crushed
is the respect for individual right's and freedoms. It may not be an exaggeration
to say that no political party in Iran since the 1906 Constitutional Movement
ever truly practiced democracy: ie. they talked and read about it but never
practiced it.
I am sure Dr Nourizadeh will respond to this slander. He was a few months
ago physically attacked at a seminar by Fedayeen hooligans. As someone
who interviewed him I know for a fact that unlike the article's claim his
father was never a molla but a lawyer and that his political opinions evolved
with time as most of us Iranians are learning or hoping to do.
It is time that we really ask ourselves until when do we have to perpetuate
the spirit of intolerence? Slander from any corner is suspect and does
not serve any other purpose than to create badwill or score political points.
In a democratic parliament the Fedayeen can learn to debate with other
parties but god forbid if they come to power through undemocratic means.
Then they would probably shoot Nourizadeh without a trial.
Let us not forget the role of the Fedayeen, Mujahedin and Islamists
who unleashed the bloodbath of 1979 when 5,000 members of the Shah's army
and civil service were massacred in Tehran alone. Hopefully, our politicians
will grow up one day.
Cyrus Kadivar
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