Support the people

The clever way to impose sanctions on Iran

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Support the people
by Reza Pahlavi
30-Sep-2009
 

Tomorrow, the five members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (known as the P5+1), will sit down with Iran in the latest attempt to ease increasing global anxiety over the country's nuclear programme. The threat of new sanctions hangs in the air. We have been here before: deadline after deadline, sanction after sanction, we return to the same old dance, the only real difference being that the Islamic Republic is inching ever closer to the Bomb. So perhaps now is the time to try something new. In anticipation of the October 1 meeting, the P5+1 must embrace their greatest ally in the war on nuclear proliferation: the people of Iran.

Until now, the Islamic Republic has not responded to external pressure from the international community. No amount of sanctions has worked. Instead, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad soaks up every opportunity to perform on the world stage, entertaining his audience of cool and collected clerics. But those clerics were not so composed on that June day when hundreds of thousands of Iranian people poured on to the streets, demanding an end to fundamentalist tyranny and the regime's oppression of their human rights.
 
In stark contrast to its reaction to international pressure, the regime's response to the internal uprising was immediate. Quivering with fear, it instantly detained more than 4,000 of its own people, suffocating their roaring cries for freedom and democracy. Students and journalists, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers, young and old are still being held, clubbed, raped and tortured by the Islamic clerical regime. Hundreds of others stand falsely accused, helplessly awaiting trial without rights or representation.
Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran urged the UN to appoint a special human rights envoy during last week's meeting of the General Assembly to investigate the Iranian government's egregious record of abuse. And still, suffering under a brutal regime that threatens their very right to life, the Iranian people continue to plead for their liberties, fight for their freedoms and scream for the world's support.

The clerics' fearful and nervous response to the people's uprising demonstrated that the biggest threat to their survival in power comes from within their own borders. Contrary to the state-run press and propaganda, the regime's biggest enemy is not the West; it is its own people.

By supporting the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights, by elevating the importance of their liberties, the West will find its greatest ally on the nuclear issue. Empowering the opposition movement will encourage and prolong internal dissent, and sustaining that internal unrest is the key to cracking the clerical code.

While sanctions can in fact prove to be a useful tool in the shed of diplomacy, they result in the suffering of a nation's citizens, victimising the innocent many for the sins of the stubborn few. For sanctions to truly be effective in Iran, human rights have to be put on equal footing with the nuclear concern. Many of my Iranian compatriots have indicated to me that they would be willing to add to their hardships in the short term only if they believe that sanctions will curtail the lifespan of clerical oppression and cure their want of human rights.

In 1986, the United States led a worldwide campaign for human rights and equality in South Africa when it passed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, banning US investment in the country. Disinvestment sanctions were about civil rights and human rights, and other world powers quickly followed suit. Most importantly, the removal of apartheid laws and the release of political prisoners were necessary preconditions to the lifting of sanctions. Those sanctions worked. The South African people suffered a deep recession in the short term, but to this day, no South African has forgotten the importance of those preconditions and the long-term liberation they brought to them as a people.

In the case of Iran, US foreign policy and international pressure are reaching their limit. External sanctions that are imposed solely to shape Iran's nuclear policy are unlikely to ever decrease the number of centrifuges that enrich uranium. Furthermore, if the issue of enrichment continues to trump the moral fight for the most basic human liberties – namely the right to free and fair elections and the freedom of speech – then the P5+1 will be seen to have abandoned the Iranian people to their plight. Alternatively, if the West enforces new sanctions that are intrinsically tied to the national outcry for freedom, they have armed their greatest ally with the powerful weapon of international solidarity in the struggle against the Islamic regime. This uprising can change the entire fabric of stability in the Middle East.

So, while the world toils over yellowcake, the people of Iran still believe in their green movement for freedom, hope and human rights. It is time for international leaders to stand behind the human rights of the Iranian people. In so doing, they will entrust the Iranian people with the power to resolve the nuclear issue.

AUTHOR
Reza Pahlavi is former Crown Prince of Iran. This commentary was first published in the London Telegraph.

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default

H M reza pahlavi conversation with the Green Movement

by arshan on

this is an Amazing interview of HIM with green movement
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf3UZ22Xn7k


Souri

dear amirkabir4u

by Souri on

NO, this is not RP who has posted the blog here.

When you see the name of the blogger in black (and not in blue) it means that someone else(a partisan) has posted their article on their behalf.


میرزا چغندر

آریامهرا؛ کجائی تو؟!

میرزا چغندر


حیف که یک بزرگتر درست حسابی بالا سر این بچه نبود که بتونه راه ورسم وراثت یا حداقل ادعای وراثت تاج و تخت ملک کابوس وقابوس را بهش یاد بده.یه مشت پیرپاتیل تریاکی فاسد و هاج و واج از بازی روزگار به عنوان عمو و عمه. مادرش هم که هنوز که هنوزه "دو زاریش" نیفتاده و بعد از اینهمه تراژدی های ملی و خانوادگی، شرکت در  تشییع جنازه "ایوسن لوران" براش مهم تر از چیز های دیگه هستش.


Darius Kadivar

FYI/REZA PAHLAVI:Interview on MSNBC With Alex Witt (25 Sept 2009

by Darius Kadivar on

REZA PAHLAVI:Interview on MSNBC With Alex Witt (25 Sept 2009)

//iranian.com/main/blog/darius-kadivar/reza-pahlavi-interview-msnbc-alex-witt-25-sept-2009


amirkabear4u

YET NO ONE

by amirkabear4u on

including the admin. proved this blog is from RP. For 30 years he was not doing anything against mullahs. So I ask myself if this is really him blogging??????????

If it is proven then we all can have a civilized political discussion.

Until then....................


Dariush

Here are two links for you

by Dariush on

Here are two links for you to read. just take your time and read carefully.

It is funny how Reza in his blog had portrayed himself as the future king and had tried to mimic the good old Persian kings. What I found very funny is that in his fantasy kingdom, he has written, everyone is free to ........ and no one should be penalized for his or her relatives faults and crimes.  Isn't this ironic?  We were just talking about him being an accomplice to his father's crime of robbery for taking possession of billions of Dollars and later for cooperation with foreign governments and supporting war and sanctions on Iranians.   Clearly he knows he is guilty, therefore he even wrote that into a law for his future fantasy kingdom to grantees his safety.

Some say, he is the crown prince. Let us assume Iranians agree to have a Monarchy system, is there no one else who deserves to be the king beside this coward, traitor and thief? 

Don't you think even a king should be and was elected by people in the first place, not the British as Reza Shah was, or by U.S. as Mohammad Reza was and now Reza Topol by the same governments?  So a claim of him being a Crown Prince is unlawful, since his fathers were not legally chosen by people to begin with. 

So based on his actions and my resons he should be called what he really is, a CLOWN PRINCE. Believe me! He wouldn't know the difference. 

//www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/IF26Ak06.html

//www.counterpunch.org/stanton04222003.html

 


shaayad keh

What is missing from RP2's resume....

by shaayad keh on

- He has spent most of his adult life  out side Iran and even when he was in Iran he grew up within Shah's elite community. So while he is 50 years old, he has not experienced life as a normal Iranian.

-He had 31 years, his life outside Iran, to pull closer to the Iranian community and be involved or even lead Iranians but he chose to live as a prince.

- Any of you remember the statement " Shah was good but he was surrounded with bad people". RP2 has been hanging with the same people who were around Shah.

-He had plenty of opportunities to show his leadership and he missed almost all of them royally.

-He has shown too much dependency on US while he had the opportunity to show his independence.

Peace, 

Shaayad Keh


Emil

People lead...

by Emil on

Majority of Iranians would rather deal with these crazy Islamo fascist akhonds than bringing back monarchy yet Reza Pahlavi as a new yuppie king.

People during a referendum, 30 years ago,  voted out / kicked out monarchy , it is a done deal.

People do not need any leaders since  people themselves are the leaders...


میرزاقشمشم

This Old Trick Runs In This Corrupt Family

by میرزاقشمشم on

Another obvious case of "paid advertisement" which is a reminiscent of what his parents used to do; their favorite was the French tabloid "Paris Match". Bunch of wheelchair-bound, old fart monarchist who are desperate for receiving the next paycheque from Reza Pahlavi or, his corrupt aunt Ashraf Pahlavi keep his name in circulation amongst themselves.

Each of these wretched employees of "monachy firm" has been instructed to click on this page ultra-multiple times in order to create the illusion of a high degree of interest among ordinary people.

They can fool no one, but themselves. 


Farhad Kashani

Mr. Pahlavi, step up..NOW!

by Farhad Kashani on

Mr. Pahlavi,

I, and most Iranians, find you to be a leader that is well aware of Iranian people’s lack of desire for any type of Monarchy to get foothold in Iran, including the current Islamic monarchy! I can tell that you are an educated, understandable, logical, reasonable and civilized individual who truly cares about Iran and its people. We are aware that you understand that people need you to come out and denounce monarchy once in for all.

However, in this crucial times, when the Iranian people’s movement for freedom and liberty has started, we can easily see a huge and dangerous leadership vacuum due to IRIs murder of many of former opposition leaders like Bakhtiar and also due to lack of leaders in the opposition community. We would like you to step up and take the leadership role and do everything in your power to help the Iranian people, and the entire world, get rid of this Fascist regime in power right now in Iran.

The leadership vacuum is horrific. You need to step up, make it clear you are only doing this for the cause of democracy in Iran, and I guarantee you will find endless supporters in Iran. You do now, but some are skeptic.

And as far as people who think you want to become a king and you are hired by AIPAC and BS like that, they have their head up their ..you know where. They, just like their IRI masters, label anyone who denounces the regime, whether Republican or Monarchist or anything else, as “Israel’s agent”! those heartless and brainless people are responsible for the misery Iran and Iranians are in now. But no one gives a flying crap about them. Iranians will soon send them to hell along with their Fascist masters in Tehran. Don’t even pay attention to them. Vast majority of Iranians don’t, why should you?

Step up and take leadership for Iran’s sake. We need a leader, people need a leader, just an organizer even. Someone who can set up a system for this struggle against Fascism and tyranny in Iran.

Iran needs you sir.


benross

referendum

by benross on

I fully understand seannewyork and I don't agree that 1 man 1 vote doesn't apply to Iran. But in order to achieve both freedom of choice and a true and free 1 man 1 vote, the concept of choosing between three options in a referendum must be clarified.

Surely you don't think that IRI will voluntarily submit itself to a referendum? They were contemplating changing Kamenei with Montazeri and they got scared to death about the consequences! a referendum about a total regime change?... this may happen, but not now and not voluntarily. We should aim this goal to use the most possible peaceful means for regime change.

The referendum can not be on three options. Or should I say, it is highly inconvenient and damaging to be that way. It will create division among those who want to uproot IRI and the only winner of this division will be IRI.

Our main goal is to uproot IRI. For achieving this goal, we should be one organization with one spokesman. Anybody who remembers Khomeiny referendum, knows that 1 man 1 vote doesn't lead to any democratic outcome unless it is carried out within a free society without any hate-mongering and agitation, to give people enough peace of mind to evaluate different options and then choose freely.

The referendum can not be about options that need a free debate and peace of mind. The referendum can only be about whether we want to keep IRI constitution or we don't want to keep IRI constitution.

If we don't want to keep IRI constitution, the only other constitution that we have is Monarchic Constitution. That constitution also -in my view- is an archaic document and needs to be reviewed but for now, this the only legitimate historic document that Iran's modernism movement has, and according to this constitution, Reza Pahlavi is the crown prince of Iran.

Now for those who are not monarchist but they want a free secular Iran, the most efficient way, politically, organizationally and with most historic legitimacy, is to recognize that the option in a referendum is only about choosing this or that constitution then, and only then, by restoring the monarchic constitution and establishing peace and freedom, we must proceed with an election for a constituent assembly which would review and finalize the future constitution of Iran.

In such process, we can ensure that those who are for a secular system without monarchy, can express their opinion in a free society, as well as those who support it and people can evaluate all options and vote for the constituent assembly accordingly, in freedom and peace of mind, and in a situation in which 1 man 1 vote gains its true meaning.

----------------

As for the article itself, this is a great contribution by Reza Pahlavi in re-focusing the attention of international opinion on the fight of Iranian people for freedom and democracy and an effort for not allowing the nuclear arm proliferation become the single issue of their attention. Other than that I don't have anything to add to the comments made by other valuable contributors.

Any substantial influence will come after we unite and organize ourselves around a single organization and a single goal. 


vildemose

Ahmadinejad: 'Sanction

by vildemose on

Ahmadinejad: 'Sanction us!'

How an oil embargo against Iran would help the hard-liners

//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2009/09/ahmadinejad-sanction-us.html


فغان

Can't We all Get Along?

by فغان on

Can someone without or, at least with only a little bit of bias explain whom He represents.

A simple and honest question deserves the same kind of answer. 


seannewyork

haha

by seannewyork on

the guy was 18 when he left iran.  what are his crimes and what support did he give in death and destruction of Iran?  I think you mean the islmaic republics crimes. 

please provide evidence.  not hear say Iranian style.

and I am not a supporter of his or a monarchy but you discredit yoursefl saying dumb stuff.


Darius Kadivar

Dearest oktaby Now I see Which "Dariush" You were talking about

by Darius Kadivar on

Dear Otkaby,

Allow me to Re direct my Previous Post (unjustly targeted towards you) to this Fellow : "Dariush" instead :

Mr. Dariush,

Ignorance is Excusable, Blindness as in YOUR case is a Handicap !

You Seem to either see "Character Assassination" just on One side of the political spectrum or When it Suits You !

The Pahlavis have been Subject to more character Assassination for more than 30 years than ANY of the Leaders of the Islamic Republic, Ahmadinejad Included !

It was Not long ago many of the commentators on this website were Justifying Mahmoud and Khamenei's dictatorship in the name of NATIONALISM and NOT DEMOCRACY.

Equating Ahmadinejad and Co to MOSSADEGH !

When in Fact Mahmoud is nothing more than a Petty Little Hitler to Be ...

There is a French  expression for You Guys :

"Dans le Royaume Des Aveugles LE Borgne Est Roi !"

AKA

"In the Kingdom of Blind People, The One Eyed Jack is King !"

Best,

DK


seannewyork

Vote 2010

by seannewyork on

I guess that is a debate that should be had as well.  Who would be able to vote.

I think it should be very inclusive as long as they dont have a direct hand in murder, torture, stealing the country, and rape they should be able to vote.

First on the type of government.

Second on their representatives in that government


Dariush

Talk is cheap. It is the

by Dariush on

Talk is cheap. It is the action that counts.  Reza can only get credit for what he has done, not others. This argument is not whether Reza should be a shah or not, it is about how many years should he be sentenced for his crimes and his roll in support of years of death and destruction on Iran and Iranians. Some people may be simple minded and persuade with a few lines of sweet talk, but it is loud and clear for rest of us.


oktaby

Know Thy enemy. They don't get to vote

by oktaby on

The enemy within is supported by and the creation of the enemy without. I find it difficult that in the post islamic tyranny regime, there will be room for reconciliation because of the gravity of the crimes committed. The anti-arab zeal is also misplaced. Many of them are in the same boat we are with brutal regimes and have no sympathy for the islamic system, ours or theirs. These islamic haroomzade are a unique breed of the shit (I mean shi'ie) version of Taliban and both are creations of the late 60's and 70's Green Belt anti-sovit strategy and not something the Saudi's (other arabs do not have the money or interest and some don't count) have the brains to concuct even though SA is Obama's buddy and in full support role of whatever they planned when Obama was giving his ugliness a BJ (see the phote from my post or Google Obama bowing...)

Agree with SamSam IIII. islamic thugs and their cronies don't get to vote. Whether they get to live post islamic regime, is something IRANIANS will decide. My vote is not to kill but use them for lowest end manual labor and mandate them to do a minimum of 12000 rakat prayer every day until they have a hole in their foreheads from mohr.


SamSamIIII

IRI pimps have no voting right

by SamSamIIII on

in future Iran.they either should shut their pie hole or face trial & decapitation in the hands of true Iranians for the types of crimes as portrayed below.

watch this video, wildly believed to be produced by the team of Ebrahim Hatam(never mind the Arabic ko*e sher subtitle intro) and witness the barbarism by tokhmeh Ommar 1st hand..

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XFEMk-lPYQ

Path of Kiaan Resurrection of True Iran Hoisting Drafshe Kaviaan //iranianidentity.blogspot.com //www.youtube.com/user/samsamsia


Sohrab_Ferdows

Prince Reza Pahlavi

by Sohrab_Ferdows on

Is definitely one of the most patriotic Iranians although I do not agree with all of his views. He may be wrong in expecting westerners to do something for the cause of human rights in Iran but he is definitely right about violation of human rights of Iranians by Islamic government system. Those who think RP has no support in Iran are just kidding themselves and those who call him king maybe going just a little too fast (faster than RP himself). RP is one of the cleanest Iranians (if not the cleanest) who would most probably be elected to lead the nation if the option to elect freely was available to Iranian people today. When you see a people under such kind of brutal reppression put themselves in so much trouble and risk their own lives to spread his words and his pictures among other Iranian people then you should realize there are some serious matters involved which goes beyond just the name pf Pahlavi which is a reminder of good and glorious times for Iranians. Here is a couple of video clips

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLwRhtqHq3A

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj1ntCRHZWA

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FhGMse0hbU 

 


seannewyork

1 Iranian 1 Vote

by seannewyork on

I think most everyone on this site either agreeing or disagreeing with Mr. Pahlavi agrees.

 1 Iranian should have 1 Vote

And let the chips fall where they may.

Agreed?


capt_ayhab

Crown Prince Pahlavi : AIPAC stooge

by capt_ayhab on

//xymphora.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

Crown Prince Pahlavi : AIPAC stooge

Michael Ledeen joins with Morris Amitay, vice-president of the
Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs; ex-CIA head James
Woolsey; former Reagan administration official Frank Gaffney; former
senator Paul Simon; and oil consultant Rob Sobhani to set up a group
called the Coalition for Democracy in Iran (CDI). [Sunday Herald
(Glasgow), 6/1/2003] CDI says it “fully agrees with President Bush’s
inclusion of Iran in the ‘axis of evil’ and supports congressional
initiatives to bring about needed change in Iran.” [Coalition for
Democracy, 1/16/2004] The group has strong ties to Reza Pahlavi, the
son of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the US-backed leader of Iran who was
removed from power by the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

End Excerpts

-YT 


areyo barzan

Come on now my friend

by areyo barzan on

Dear capt_ayhap

What type of proof do you want?

Do you want me to record people’s voice and sent it to you. Or do you want their names and addresses.

As I told you the wall of cities have many photos of him. I see it personally when I go for a walk early in the morning and as I told you I know and talk to many people who support him. And as a cross section of today’s Iranian society that is a significant number.

Personally I am undecided about the person whom I think would be a good leader but I am certain about the system that I want for future Iran.

A system that as I told you includes

* a free press
* an independent judiciary system
* an army that is serving the people and is not the crony of the government
* a secular government which recognizes peoples right to their religion as a personal matter and for behind closed doors. Not in the society and definitely not in running of the country
* freedom for all political parties to campaign
* ...

But if you want the name of those supporters whom I personally know I am afraid I am not in liberty of giving you such information.

If you need to know about their activities then you need to do your own homework and see their web sites or watch one of their satellite TV channels or may be show up in one of their rallies out of the country even if it is out of curiosity and as an observer.

However I am not trying to argue number in here, as this would be pointless. We can both continue this argument without ever reaching a definitive conclusion.

On the other hand if you have a look at the comments in this very site you can see the number of his supporters or undecided opposition of the IRI who are warming up to him. And this should give you a good indication of Iranian society especialy the young and educated.

The bottom line is that his supporters however small or (in my personal experience) large their number might be, are entitled to their opinion just like supporters of the MKO or the communists jebhe-ye melli and mny others.

one person one vote

What I know is that I want to get rid of IRI and all its cronies (Mousavi included) and I am prepared to listen to anyone who is talking sensible and offering a way out of this nightmare. But I also preserve the right to scrutinize their words, claims, intentions, legacy and ability to lead. Finally if they are able to withstand my scrutiny I am willing to give them a cautious shot without idolising them or hesitance to ask hard questions or criticizing them whenever necessary.

I am more concerned about the ideas and people I am in agreement with and in improving them rather than trying to belittle those with who I am indifferent


capt_ayhab

Mr. ariyo barzan

by capt_ayhab on

Perhaps sir you should read my comment once more. Nowhere in my comment did I ever try to question your freedom of choice, nor did I try to force my opinion on you.

That aside, you had made a claim that [significant number of people in Iran and abroad WANT Reza Pahlavi as their leader], and I merely asked for some sort of proof of this claim. In ke dige delkhori nadareh ;-)

Either you have some proof of your claim or you don't, this has nothing to do with your freedom of choice.

-YT 

P/S  just FYI My entire family lives in Iran.


Darius Kadivar

oktaby jaan Sorry for the confusion !!

by Darius Kadivar on

My Apologies. I thought something was wrong it surprised me coming from you too.

Blame it on my ignorance then ;0)

DK 


seannewyork

Democracy

by seannewyork on

I want a republic and see the statements that Mr. Pahlavi has made as do not contridict what I think.  I dont think that we all need to get angry at each other.

Do we like the message?????  I do.  And as a young Iranian who has suffered I support Mr. Pahlavi's statements.

 


oktaby

My comments were pointed to Dariush not DK

by oktaby on

What are u reading? Perhaps you should read a bit more carefully and also be mindful of any comment I make in the context of my foot print on this site to some of which you have been a commentator including the link in my original comment on this thread. Be a bit more deliberate. Shooting is too easy. Aim before you shoot.


Louie Louie

.

by Louie Louie on

.


Darius Kadivar

oktaby "Dans le Royaume Des Aveugles LE Borgne Est Roi !"

by Darius Kadivar on

Ignorance is Excusable, Blindness as in YOUR case is a Handicap !

You Seem to either see "Character Assassination" just on One side of the political spectrum or When it Suits You !

The Pahlavis have been Subject to more character Assassination for more than 30 years than ANY of the Leaders of the Islamic Republic, Ahmadinejad Included !

It was Not long ago many of the commentators on this website were Justifying Mahmoud and Khamenei's dictatorship in the name of NATIONALISM and NOT DEMOCRACY.

Equating Ahmadinejad and Co to MOSSADEGH !

When in Fact Mahmoud is nothing more than a Petty Little Hitler to Be ...

There is a French  expression for You Guys :

"Dans le Royaume Des Aveugles LE Borgne Est Roi !"

AKA

"In the Kingdom of Blind People, The One Eyed Jack is King !"

Best,

DK

 


Emil

seannewyork...

by Emil on

I'm with you...I would love to see a Republic of Iran one day... ruled by power of people...

NO Shah/Monarchy...NO akhond/Islam....Viva a Republic of Iran...