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April 13, 2003
Page 2

* Why are you silent?

If you are sure that you will face the same situation like iraq then why are you silent? Defeat the enemy in Iraq secretly otherwise you will lose the golden chance.

Iqbal
Pakistan

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* Difficult to separate Israeli actions from Jews

Very good article [Does that make me an anti Semite?]. It is very difficult to write about this subject and you did an excellent job. I too criticize Israel for what they are doing to the Palestinians but I do not hate the Jews.
 
I am very confused about the term anti-Semiticas the Palestinians are also Semites (see article on Zmag.org by Edward Herman).What does it mean to be an anti-Semitic? Anti-Semitism is a moral tool used by “supporters of Israel” to silence any criticism of Israel. I believe one can be critical of Israel and not be racist toward the Jews.
 
According to the chief ofAnti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith (ADL), Abraham Foxman, you are anti-Semitic if:

· You don’t think that the Jews deserve their own state
· You don’t have anything positive to say about Israel
· You treat Israel different than other countries
· You say things like “Sharon is a war criminal”.
 
What do these conditions have to do with one’s love or hatred of the Palestinians or the Jews?
 
I blame the Israeli government and the strong Jewish lobby groups in US (such ADL, AIPAC, …) for creating the blurry line between the Jews and Israel. As Eliahu Salpeter writes, “when Israel notes that the overwhelming majority of the Jewish people stands behind it, it is creating the equation between itself and the Jews.”

As long as Israel is a state of the Jewish people, Jewish people in Israel and in Diaspora, and is committing these horrendous crimes against the Palestinians in the name of the Jewish nationalism or Zionism, it is going to be difficult to separate the actions of Israel from the ordinary Jewish person who just wants to live in peace and security.The actions of Israel are the root cause of anti-Semitism today.As Israel Shahak wrote: “Israel as a Jewish state constitutes a danger not only to itself and its inhabitants, but to all Jews, and to all other people and states in Middle East and beyond”.

Nader Behzad

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* Jaygah e Golestan

khanewade ye golestan az mafakher e in marz o boomand wa kawe golestan ke az bozorgtarin akkasan keshwar dar zamine ye photojurnalism wa mostanad ejtemaee bood ra har akkas e irany mishenasad o martabe ye oo ra waghef ast.

kawe tammam e waght khod ra sarf e akkasy wa idealism khasse khod kard. hargez nemishod oo ra bikar o faregh az talash did wa ensafan jaygah e khod ra be dast awarde bood.

waghty az oo porsidam to ke tamam e waghtat sarf e kar mishawad pas key zendegy mikony? sigar 57 ra pok e mohkamy zad o goft "zendegy man hamine, man kar o zendegim baham maany dare".

kawe golestan be karash mote ahed bood o har gez hazer nashod akkasy ra wasile ee baraye erzaye tabaghe ye morafah konad.har ja jang bood kawe bood, har ja ensanha dar faghr o felakat boodand kawe an ra be taswir keshid: enghelab, fesad e ghabl az enghelab, kar e koodakan, jang e tahmily wa gheyre...

kawe golestan ra nabayad faramoosh kard, bayad olgoo gharar dad.

Babak Sedighi

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* A great soul

Dear Farnaz,

I am so sorry about your dear friend [Crossing the border]. You article is very touching. It makes one's heart sad to lose such a great soul. I am sure he will be missed, but his memory will be with us forever.

Farzi

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* You are an anti-Semite

Since I do not know you personally, I can not directly answer your question if you are anti-Semite or not [Does that make me an anti Semite?]. But, I can help you with some logical thinking. Bear with me since this has been known to be hard for anti-Semites to follow.

You said the people that you consider being your friend believe that you are anti-Semite. The friends that you know for sure are anti-Semites, since they have told you they hate Jews. Well, you know it takes one to know one. Forget about any other reason. Solely because your anti-Semite friends consider you to be an anti-Semite, I would definitely say you are an anti-Semite. The rest on your opinion is off the subject.

The simple fact that Judaism is not Zionism is even clear to you. However, what is more complicated to realize is how Jewish aspiration for their homeland lead to Zionism, and how Zionism lead to recreation of the Jewish State of Israel more than fifty years ago.

Israel happens to be the only democratic government in the Middle East. As far as criticizing the Israeli government policies, people much more knowledgeable and much more educated than you are doing it all the time, including all the Israelis. That is what a democratic government is all about. They only difference is that they offer more alternatives and solutions.

One out of five Israelis are Palestinian. They are not much different than the ones in West Bank and Gaza. For that matter, they are not much different than Jewish Israelis. They all have the same hopes and aspirations. They all want to leave in peace, make a living, raise their children, send them to college, get them married, and enjoy their grand children. They are not martyrs. They are not terrorists. They are not suicide bummers. They do not exist to fill the evening news and be a distraction for the failing Arab governments, which most happen to be self-serving corrupt dictatorships. They do not exist to be the subject of intellectual masturbation of the pseudo Muslim pundits.

The fact is that the Arab-Israeli conflict is a very complex one, and for over fifty years a lot of government with all possible motives, political views, and religious believes have tried to find a solution for. The only thing that has not changed is the so-called Palestinian leadership, Yaser Arafat. He is the head of yet another self-serving, corrupt, Arab dictatorship, who has not delivered for his people, and has never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity to make peace.

President Ehud Barak came closest to making the peace with the Palestinians. He offered 97% of the territorial concessions that Arafat had asked for. But, Arafat requested the right of return of Palestinians to Israel. Meaning a two-state solution, one would be Palestinian now, and the other would be Palestinian after all the Palestinians return to Israel.

Israel has demonstrated its sincere desire for peace and its readiness to make the difficult decisions required for peace. Israel is fully committed to pursuing negotiated agreements with her Arab neighbors so that it may finally live in peace and security.

Israel reached historic peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan in which both sides made serious compromises for the sake of normalized relations. Through its democratic system, the Israeli electorate has voted out governments they believe have not done enough to pursue peace, just as they have voted out governments they believe have not done enough to promote their security. The Palestinian campaign of terrorism and violence has caused even those Israelis most supportive of the peace process to question the Palestinian Authority's suitability as a negotiating partner and its commitment to peaceful reconciliation with Israel.
There is no excuse for Palestinian terrorism.

Palestinian demands and grievances can only be resolved at the negotiating table, not through violence and terrorism. Had the Palestinians shown a commitment to negotiations, Israel's ambitious plan to create a Palestinian state in the entire Gaza Strip and up to 95% of the West Bank would have already been a reality. Indeed, the Palestinian campaign of terrorism and violence has caused even those Israelis most supportive of the peace process to question the Palestinian Authority's commitment to peaceful reconciliation.

Israel has a right to exist in peace within secure borders.
Faced with attack on its city streets, Israel has a fundamental right and an obligation to its citizens to defend itself.

Ofir

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* Nicest person you ever met

The Golestan family lived a few blocks away from us [Crossing the border].  My dad's small store was across the street from Mr. Ebrahim Golestan's Studio.  They were truly a great family, and way ahead of their times. 
 
Kaveh was the nicest person you ever met.  He was soft-spoken, intellect, caring...
 
When I found out about his tragic death last night, I shed tears and still in disbelief and denial.  I can't believe that it happened and he is gone for good.  Unfortunately, I didn't keep up with him or any of his family members.
 
I also remember how tragically Ms. Foroogh Farookhzad died (over thirty years ago) in a an accident one block from the Studio too.
 
I remember one of Kaveh's early work when he came back to Iran.  It was a series of a young, poor girl, who had some eye disease that Kaveh had portrait to be heeling.  As each picture showed the "heeling progress", there were more of the same diseases underneath.  I'm not sure if I can justly describe his great mind and work in words.  I think you must see it to believe it.  I hope some one could publish his great works and also add a some of his work on some web-sites for us to see.
 
He certainly will be missed.  And as we say, God Bless His Soul. I hope and pray for his young son and wonderful wife.
 
Sincerely,
 
An old neighbor,

Nasser Kamassai

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* The world misses you Kaveh!

I was very sad to hear the death of Kaveh Golestan, one of the real martyrs of the current war who died doing what he loved doing well to serve the world [Crossing the border].

Sweet memories of people like him make the world a pleasant place to live despite its underlying 'minefields' and 'enemy trenches' and give us strength of take life as it comes!

The world misses you Kaveh!

Somasiri Munasinghe
Toronoto - Canada.

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* Honest introspection of Arab, Persian and Islamic moral values is desperately needed

I read your article with great interest [Does that make me an anti Semite?] but there is one thing that has concerned me for a long time. I think it is very hypocritical to simply dismiss all the evils of the Middle East on Israel. The Arab countries since day one have been just as responsible if not more so than Israel for the plight for the Palestinians. If the Jews were to surrender every weapon they had tomorrow, the Arabs and Persians would walk into Israel and expel the Jews, exterminate the Jews or enslave the Jews. I’m sorry but this has been the official position of the Arab world for 50 years.

By contrast, America has had an official position to negotiate a just agreement that recognizes the individual rights of both Palestinians and Jews. This is a moral position. To support Israel’s ability to defend it self from the threat of a very real genocide is a moral position. Iran sponsors, supports and finances terrorism against Israel. Syria sponsors, supports and finances terrorism against Israel. Yet it is quite obvious that terrorism sabotages all negotiation and is the direct obstacle to achieving justice for Palestinians. The dictatorships throughout the region recognize this, so why do they continue to support a policy that harms Palestinians? Americans recognize that the creation of anti-Zionist hatred diverts attention from the fact that they are denying individual human rights to their own people.

This saddens us because we know that true peace cannot be achieved until the Arab World stands up to this dishonesty and hypocrisy. Can you for one brief moment try to understand how it must feel for us to be despised by the entire Middle East and then watch Arab leaders betray the Palestinians over and over knowing that America cares about their future more than any country on the planet because we support a common sense policy that recognizes Palestinians and Jews must not only live together but work and prosper together.

The level of pure hatred that the Arab dictators have fostered will take decades to abate. This simply for the selfish political benefit of a few elite leaders. This is a tremendous burden to impose on the rest of humanity. I think a serious, honest introspection of Arab, Persian and Islamic moral values is desperately needed. Truth and honesty must replace simple repetition of out-dated slogans. True dignity comes from the courage and integrity to take responsibility for your mistakes.

America has had to grapple with its hypocrisy of replacing ‘anti’ dictators with ‘pro’ dictators during the cold war. And we are quite aware that our present military position in the world comes with a tremendous responsibility. We are evolving to realize that our democratic principles can’t be compromised for any reason. That’s why we will bring freedom and democratic self-rule to Iraq, and why we will be a strong champion for democratic reform throughout the Middle East in the future, including Palestine.

It pains me horribly that Persians and Arabs won’t join us. Yes we must work to gain your trust but it is arrogant of you not to realize that you must also begin to gain our trust, and common sense dictates that trust is earned through honesty. Sincerely

Jerry Quill Warren
Michigan USA

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* Zendeh dashte moosighiee asil

Khanom Nemati, Aywol baba khyli salary. Ba tashakore farawan az zahemat shoma dar morede sayte besiyar aali dar internet wa koleckshen khoob darbareh rawag wa kostaresh moosigee Irani dar sathe jahani, kastam ke dar in rah mowafag o pirooz bashid.Man dar reshteh moosigi wa violin be modateh 50 saal kaar kardeh wa shagerdane khoosoosi dashte wa daram wa ba Ostad Shahidi wa digaran konserthayee dashtam wa dar tamam daneshgahhayee Denver darmorede moosigee Iranyee bernamehay kalcheral dashtam wa khly khoshhal shodam ke shoma jawanaan dar zendeh dashte moosighee asil Iran zahmat mikeshid. Mowafag o pirooz bashid.

Behrooz Baharmast

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* Solution: hard work, and science

Hi Ramin,

I read your article "Children of burning stars", and wanted to let you know I loved it. I have been in the U.S. for about 15 years and I still long for a day when we can all be proud of an Iranian society that is free from ignorance, where majority of people know that the solution lies in hard work and scientific methods of problem solving.

Please keep on writing, there are some of us that share your views. How ever far your ideals may be, one day humanity will prevail and ignorance will die forever. I just hope this day comes soon.

K

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* Cannot impose democracy

Mr. Iqbal Latif's article, I believe, was written in Texas by bunch of rednecks [Dawn of a new day]. He seems to forget that the democracy cannot be forced nor can be bought.

The issue is not Saddam and his brutal regime. Saddam is no worse than the corrupt Saudi or Kuwaiti governments that supported him so willingly and openly in his chemical war against the Kurds and Iranians. How come these dictatorships are still in power? The so called freedom loving nations have been supporting the very same brutal government for years! They even provided them with what he needed to stay in power and suppress the very same people that you are crying for.

Wake up Mr. Latif. How often did you write against Saddam regime during the 10 years of chemical warfare against innocent people which went unnoticed by super powers? Just remember, Mr. Latif, you can never impose democracy on a society but you can impose another dictatorship. Look at history.

Arash Z.

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* IQ problem

I personally beleive that Mr Iqbal Latif has some IQ problem [Dawn of a new day]. His name sounds Arabic and he does not sound like a Persian. Mr Iqbal should come to his senses that Americans are not going to bring democracy and happiness to Iraq either. You can help nations by good deeds but not by forcing them to have democracy. Where is your sense of pride and patriotism Mr Iqbal!?

Reza

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* Read it and ponder

Thank you to the Iranian for publishing Iqbal Latif's excellent article "Dawn of a new day". I hope people read it and ponder. Good perspective on events and who is who.

Hamid N.

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* Japan lost the war but won the peace

Dear Dr. Majid Tehranian [The fairly obvious]

Happy Spring. With sincere greetings and best wishes for you, I don't think that the symmetry principle dictates the fairly obvious: The U.S. may win the war but lose the peace?

The title of your article is quite symmetrical to Deacon's statement some years ago: Japan lost the war but won the peace. May I draw your attention to the a higher level of
symmetry which is feasible, accessible and optimal.

Masood Raji

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April 13, 2003

Kaveh Golestan
* Pulitzer Prize?
* Sadness of this war
* What a loss
* Tribute to his work
* Jaygah e Golestan
* Nicest person
* World misses you

* A great soul
* Absolutely proud

Iraq
* Liberate how many?
* Slanted reporting
* Why are you silent?
* Wrong approach
* Impose democracy?
* IQ problem
* American opposition
* Imperial Quisling Syndrome
* Biggest worry
* Read and ponder
* Japan won the peace
* You deserve Bush
* Laughable arguments
* Defend Iraq
* Hidden motives
* Safest way to peace
* Don't forget
* Same fate as Khoi?
* Sadness of this war

Iran
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* No-dignity
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* Out of touch
* Same fate as Khoi?
Norooz
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Iranians
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Jews & Israel
* You are an anti-Semite
* Israeli actions & Jews
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* Honest introspection

Monarchy
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* Biased against Shah
Iraniani of the year
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