Misc

america

if iran and america normalize relations, islamic republic will stay for a long long time. another thing i will say is that islamic republic is not nearly as bad as some would have u believe.

I wish the government

Would do more of this kind of debate that is very normal for us in Iran so you khareji people learn what Iran today is. Really.

I went to Germany last month and met some Iranis in a bar, they were so backward and embarrassing acting like jerks thinking that's a Western way to be. I was happy that we have the Islamic republic so such idiots are out and hopefully never return.

finally it is not Iran that has any problems with the US, it is the US that wants Iran to bend over and obey their command. Well it's not going to happen. If Iran did that, they could kill and torture the entire Iranian population but you would only hear good about them.

How narrow minded some of you people are, and you are suppose to be the Western educated bunch.

Be Positive

As I watched the clip my first reaction was who is this guy and is this really Iranian tv? Things on Iranian TV have changed since I have be abroad.

This guy is brave and I agreed with most of his comments. Especially the points about setting foreign policy based on ideology instead of national interest, the question on why Iran-Iraq war lasted 8 yrs and could have ended sooner and finally the fact that we Iranians are always after a scape goat and for IRI it is US or Israel. This last one is hardcoded in us from when we are young. Ask a young kid in Iran why he did something he wasn't supposed to. The answer is likely to be "Man naboodam, oona boodan".

On some points, I disagree with him. I don't think that the entire 11-13 billion dollars would've been paid out in the manner that he explained. It is impossible that nothing is left. Keep in mind US has been holding this sum of money for 30 year. Just think of the compound interest. Also, US clearly supported Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war. Iranian people have reason to be resentful on this matter.

All that said, relations with US is important and it makes sense! It will benefit Iran but will not fix most of Iran's major problems. Problems created by Iranians should be solved by responsible Iranians who believe in a better future for Iran.

As a young Iranian I believe in a bright future for my country. Is the past glory of my country enough reason to be a proud Iranian? Or is what we are today and tomorrow also important?

Facts, Facts, Facts ...Please

While to some extent Dr. Zibakalam's approach is correct, it would add to his credibility if he properly referenced facts. (1) There is no question the US administration precipitated the Iran-Iraq war, Al Haig in his memoirs (and also in now open State department memo's) referenced his conversation with the Saudi's where they were specifically told by Jimmy Carter to tell Saddam Hussein to invade Iran (during his state visit to Saudia Arabia in August 1980); and moreover to support this request they offered Saddam loan guarantees for a military buildup (so did the Americans 140 Million Dollars passed by Congress, so did Kuwait ...which is why he invaded Kuwait so he would not have to pay the money back)The US also provided arms and other items (such as precursors for chemical warfare production...this is all documented). (2)The United States did not and has NOT returned the money they sequestered during the hostage crisis. Interest on that money has not been calculated either or provided. (3)The US imposed this Islamic Regime in Iran and has imposed it on Iranians for the past 30 years - and in the process used them to Isolate Iran - so they could pillage Caspian Oil and Gas, Iraqi Oil and Gas...basically 80% of the worlds Hydrocarbon reserves" - with no hinderance along with their British partners. The relations between the countries were not broken off by Iran, but was a strategic decision executed by successive US administrations.

Dear "Parham",

I must agree with I_see_change, his comment is great except: not IRI is changing, but Iran as a society.

Iran´s society is improving. More and more women can read and write, that makes the society less religious and makes birth control possible, Iran´s birthrate was 1.689 (2008), the infant mortality is falling, from 44,17 (2003) to 35.78 (2009 est.); this is a great reality.

Iran is already a secular country, only the leading elite still hasn´t noticed it (demographic data are much more evident than any political rhetoric).

I see the step-by-step solution. The circumstances are becoming better, then many exil Iranians will return (specially from Europe), and they and the contacts with Iranians can help the society to change into a democratic governance.

islamic regime

islamic terrorist occupier murderers taking abut closing guantanamo!!!

What I wish for....

I don't have any idea when and how US-Iranian relationship with improve.

I am dying to see the day when these folks make rational discussion based on in depth analysis.

Dr Ziba Klam seem to repeat Voice of America or BBC analysis about what Obama is all about. Just last weekend, in Bill Moyer's Now Senator Dick Durbin is talking about behind the scenes power of banking industry

//www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05082009/profile...

Not too long ago couple of authors wrote about influence of Israeli lobby in American politics

//www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html

There are many more examples. It is not like the US policy is being made in dark rooms but there is no question that big lobbyist are controlling the policy making process in US.

Again, things are they way they are in Iran and US, it is not about that, but I want someone that wants to state an opinion about a matter on national tv to at least have some in depth understanding of the topic. Parroting BBC or VOA lines is not sign of intellect.

Doctor Zibakalam is a true patriot!

This brave man is a true patriot!

He always goes on record with news services and media, expressing his views on current affairs. He is always walking on the edge and I suspect that after this particular program, he will go an the black list of never being invited to such programs on IR tv again!

The Doctor at the end of 2nd

The Doctor at the end of 2nd piece posed an interesting question. He asked can you tell me one thing that Obama has said that he has also not said the exact opposite.

I think the negotiations between Iran and US are complicated on both side. For one thing, it is rare to see this kind of exchange in US media. In both contries what you see and don't see in the media reflects the behind the scene conflicts. Iran has repeatedly said that it was US that broke diplomatic relationship with Iran. But when was the last time you saw a exchange in US media that some senior official said we need to restore the relationship again.

If you want to talk about change, the very fact that Ziba Kalam is on a main tv program would be analogous to seeing Noam Chomsky on 60 minute (not their intellect, but in that they are both independent opposition)

Anonymous 8 & I_see_change

I, for one, see Zibakalam on TV for the first time. More, I see this subject being debated AND the arguments Zibakalam brings for the first time as well.

What I personally have noticed, is that such debates and other signs (such as broadcasting "Ey Iran" from radio and TV a lot, for example) happen often around election time.

"I_see_change": Forgive me if I'm taking a quick look at the empty half with all that's happened in the past 30 years with this system! How unthoughtful of me.

this is another clip of the

this is another clip of the discussion ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgoPPRgsJe8

Who say IRI has not changed?

Of course if you always see a glass half empty, or if you are obsessed with how some other country is run, then you always see negativity and you are never satisfied and you see no improvement. But if you are realistic, you will see that the Iranian society is slowly moving out of what it was 30 years ago. The fact is, its people CANNOT handle a faster speed than this. But of course, people can help by approaching the subject from a friendly point of view as opposed to antagonistic.

this is not unique

Parham aziz, it's everytime there is an election that the media pays close attention to these debates on iranian tv. they are not uncommon.

Very interesting

Unfortunately, every time there are elections you'll see programs on TV in Iran where things that weren't said so far get said. All for creating an atmosphere where people would feel there's something being accomplished (so they go out and vote and raise the number of votes, so the ruling class can claim people trust and/or participate in the system). This is also aimed at Iranians residing outside Iran -- so they think things HAVE changed inside. That's how illusions are made... But off to the debate here:

My first reaction was "no wonder he (Zibakalam) used to receive death-threats all the time". He IS and always has been an outspoken person.

Too bad he actually messed up his point about the money owed to Iran in the first clip! Unfortunately, what he says doesn't really stand straight, i.m.o...

As for the point in the second clip, for those who don't know, believe it or not this has been a taboo subject for discussion in public in the IR for the past 30 years... So you see, "ma hanooz andar khame yek koocheyim"...