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Thursday
June 28, 2001

Ultimate sacrifice

We have been told, time after time, that if they (read those who oppose the whole Islamic Republic) sit down with "common Iranian people who are not as 'sophisticated' as they are, and listen to their day-to-day experience of living in Iran and the changes that our society has gone through, then maybe they will learn something" ["Slowly but surely"]

I wonder which "Iranian people" they are referring to. Those fifteen million who did not participate in the last election? Those who come to conclusion that Mr. Khatami is not that "seyede shafaabakhsh"? Those Mr. Khatami calls t "disappointed of reform"? Or those who had no choice but to participate despite their wishes?

Referring to "Iranian People" has been the main argument of the reformists. They assume that twenty-two million votes to Khatami are their votes. They hide themselves behind those twenty-two millions. "Islamic Reformers" argue not with hard-liners since hard-liners have read their hands and found out those hands are empty. There is nothing to show to the people.

That is why the pressure on Mr. Khatami and his men has been increased after the recent election.

Instead, these "Islamic Reformers" with us, the opponents of the whole system. They say we have "no impact on Iran" and our voice is not heard, despite millions of Iranians, according to the system itself, are daily listeners of this and that radio. I, as one of the opponents, would like to challenge Mr. Khatami and his shorakaa to have a referendum, referendum between his "Islamic Reforms" and real democratic reform. A reform in which people choose freely without his Islamic system.

Well, Mr. Khatami, obviously, is unable to do that since he truly believes in Velayate Fagih and changing the constitution to enhance his power to deal with hard-liners is "Khiaanant be melat". Are we better off now compared to four years ago? Let us see, I would like to ask why don't you, Khatami's shorakaa, show as the list of political prisoners before and after these past four years. Why don't you list the students who have been dismissed from universities because of "security reasons"?

Why don't you, a friend of this regime, show us where and how you have protested the lack of human rights, which has been increased so rapidly during the Khatami tenure? Has the "Vali Amer Moslemin" been accountable since Khatami's regime? Or has his order to close the press been challenged? Please tell as who has questioned the absolute authority of Velayte Faghih. Iranian people have. This is despite Khatami's and shorakaa's belief.

During these four years the Valayte Faghih's authority has been challenged not by Mr. Khatami and shorakaa but by the people. Mr. Khatami and shorakaa have always imposed on us that there is only two ways to change: "My way" or "Undemocratic revolution with blood all over it". "Bloody Revolution" is bad? Does that include your revolution, which is the bloodiest revolution ever, that killed millions of innocent people and murdered thousands of political prisoners with the "Imam's" order? Since when?

Mr. Khatami has forgotten, or prefers not to remember, as usual. Since day one, Iranian peoples inside and out have learned how to fight with this regime. They have learned to challenge this system according to their daily struggle with the whole system and have showed they do know their powers and rights. They have challenged the "Rahbar" the way they know how. They have leaned and experienced what they want.

Without any doubt, they know how to demand their political will. They do not need Mr. Khatami and shorakas to tell them what to do. Iranians are not stupid and they know what they want. Therefore, Mr. Khatami, and shorakaa, let the Iranian people choose freely. They will surprise you as they did on second of Khordad

Javad Chavoshi
Washington College of Law

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