THE IRANIAN
Letters
No time to sit silently and wait
I wish to respond to your article regarding the present government, and the call for Iranians to be patient with the current regime ["Evolution not Revolution"]
I see the Iranian economy, in much the same way as the economy in any other country in the world, being intrinsically connected with the politics of the country. Political moves or changes are made with the eventual desire being the ability to gain control and benefit from the power that comes with control.
There are those in Iran, in the Khatami camp who's main interests lie in the import/export related industries - industries which are dependent on imported or exported goods. Such people (politicians) and their interests would benefit from a reformist, moderate political outlook which enables foreign trading partners to justify dealing with Iran. Such moves as recently seen on France 98, followed up by declarations of peace from Tehran are made in order to pave the way for strengthening links with international partners. This policy seems to be agreeable with most Iranians - whether residing in Iran or outside.
However, there are other camps whose interests are dependent on national produce. Such people (politicians) would find competition with foriegn goods too strong (it is well known that local Iranians pay a great deal of attention to the "made in" sign, and are willing to pay a premium just to get the article with the best reputation/origin). Such products range from food stuff, the rag trade, car parts, car tyres, electronics, and other consumables.
Those belonging in the second camp use their power and influence to undermine the work of moderates. We have regularly heard Ayatollah Khamenei declare "death to the Great Satan" thus confirming his support for hard liners. The latest series of civil violations involve the mayor of Tehran - Karbaschi - whoes arrest was requested, not by his boss or the supreme leader, but by the hardline clergy opposing Khatami's moderate moves. I see the arrest as a move to undermine Khatami's authority in Iran. This evident loss of power may cast a doubt in the minds of international trading partners who realise that Khatami does not have total control, and therefore cannot provide complete protection to them.
Whilst I agree that Iran is not ready for more bloodshed, and that revolutionary action is unjustified, I do believe that we would be fooling ourselves if we were to believe that being patient with the government would be enough. The government constitues both hardliners, and moderates. The current trend of hardline intervention in politics must be opposed, and such demonstrations as those in Tehran demanding Karbaschi's release should continue.
Iranians must continue to show that they will not put up with the political bickerings going on in Tehran where warring parties are locked in political battles which are aimed at lining their benifactors pockets.
The Iranian on the street in Tehran does seem to have some power after all. I believe that the goverment realises that bloody conflict is detrimental to business. Afterall, those in government now own most of the large businesses, and would therefore suffer direct losses if there was any real trouble. So, with that in mind, I believe that Iranians can demand to be respected by the government.
This is not the time to sit silently and wait. The first chance of real progress has come about in the shape of Khatami, but he is being challanged by hardliners. Iranians should show their support for the moderate way of life, and demand that Khamenei put a stop to all the internal fighting, and allow Khatami to get on with this job without continuously being dragged in to protect his "generals" from hard line attacks.
Farzad Moshfeghi
farzad.moshfeghi@nomura.co.uk
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