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June 19, 2003 * I got so excited Iraj Mirza's poem about the chador is the best poem ever. First I found about it when I was in 7th grade through one of my classmates at school. Then I kept a copy of it for myself. Now that I saw it on the internet I got so excited. Honostly, it is the best one ever!!! RP * What the @#$%??? Please censor bad words. We all know what @#$% means. That's professional journalism. Thank you * The Revolution has started The Revolution has started and you still keep ignoring WHY YOU DIDN'T PUBLISH AHMAD BATEBI'S letter in your letter section? I sent it 3 months ago! Is it too sacred to be published? At least tell me why you don't want to publish it? Hasn't he been beaten enough in the hands of your ex-pals in Evin? * Aliakbari cured my daughter's asthma I read the article about Dr. Aliakbari [The Energy Man]. First I would like to remind him that at present there are only 5 individuals in the world who have these extra-ordinary powers as far as I am concerned. Dr. Aliakbari is one of them and another one is Mr. Benny Hinn who is receiving energy from his holiness Jesus Christ. You can witness his abilities on Q2X program via satellite if possible. Next I would like to mention that my daughter suffered from asthma, I took her to Dr. Mohammad Aliakbari . She was cured after his treatment . Wisdom does not always lead to correct results and that is why we always have to refer to god. In islam it is called Tavakkol. I would like to hereby thank Dr.Aliakbari for his efforts and treatment, not only regarding my daughter but also for all other humans and even animals that have been cured by him. I hope those who might still be thinking wrong about Dr.Aliakbari understand more about metaphysical powers and come to a state of mental ease. * De Gaulle counted on Americans so why not Reza Pahlavi? Mrs. Amini often offers interesting interviews and this one was also interesting in that it offers some insight on Americans and the way they saw Iran and Iranians during the last years of the Shahs era. [Change will come from within] I do not have many things to say that would contradict Mr. Precht,
nevertheless, I would like to disagree on some of his remarks and rapid
conclusions. The fact is and this is something that surprises me to this day the the Shah and Royal Family were popular not to say immensly popular among the people especially since the coronation of 67. This is an iranian tradition. Of course propaganda played its role, and of course their mouvements were often a subject of security, but the people liked them. It may seem curios to many who did not live in Iran including Iranians who had gone off to study or live abroad that the Persian Monarchs were loved. One can disagree and dislike this but it is a fact, that they had a positive image among people and it would be hypocritical to deny it. Yes critisisms did occur but no one seriously envisaged the downfall of a regime in power for more than a century, if one counts Reza Shah The Great's reign. No one at the time thought that the Ayatollah with a hole in his socks ( I heard this expression often) would ever come and Run the country. How naive we were. It was only when Iranians started getting tapes and revolutionary feedback that questions and mouths started speaking. Until the departure of Khomeiny from his exile from Iran to Paris basically everyone had never heard of the obscure Ayatollah. Many had forgotten he had formented the 1963 revolts against the Shah. As for Spontaneous cheeres of Javid Shah, they were quite spontaneous anywhere the Shah appeared be it in Cinema propaganda films or in the Football Stadiums. The Shah WAS Popular, people liked him even many who had opposed him, and the reason is simple: The White Revolution and the distribution of lands to the peasants was among the many accomplishments that created econmic oppurtunities. It had its side effects which was compensated by the increase in Oil Revenues. However The Shahs Popularity truly started falling with the first discontents regarding the economy. And the efficient propaganda of revolutionaries who via East Germany's diplomatic suitcases would dispatch cassets on which the Voice of the Shah was immitated calling for the execution of the people by the SAVAK or the ARMY. I personally found such tapes in my mailbox and they were distributed regularily in many places especially villiages where the Shah and Royal Family were particularily appreciated and loved. Military overspending: I to this day do not think that the Shah's policy on aquairing the latest conventional military equippment was an error. Why should it be? I ma not a fan for Guns and Rifles but one can fairly critisize him on other aspects such as having given priority to the industry instead of agriculture, that created a urban society and rural exod with the social and economic consenquences we all know. However his military purchase ir precisely what saved Iran during the bloody Iran Irak War. In addition it was in every way in the interest of Iran to be seen as a strong military power in such an unstable region as the middle East. In those days the PLO was terribly involved in all terrorist actions (as well as the MKO in Iran) I find it was the correct policy to maintain such an image in the face of another neighbour the Soviet Union that had intentions on invading Iran had it the possibility. The Invasion of Afghanistan in 1980 (part of a larger plan and that is to have access to the Persian Gulf Waters ) simply proves that the Shahs vision was indeed correct strategically speaking. As you may know a particular treaty was signed between Iran, Turkey and Afhanistan with Tzarist Russia allowing the latter to interfere by military means if they felt that their neighbouring countries were at threat. Such strategic treaties prevailed under the Soviet Union which formented the downfall of the Afghan government as a pretext to interfere militarily in the country. Shah was weak: I think as President Nixon said regarding the Shah that the latter was more a Statesman than a politician. He was much more a Workaholic often seen in his office 18 hours a Day than spending his Time partying. I do not think the term weak is appropriate. The Former Shah was accused of weakness, mistakes and a great deal of other shortcomings. I personally think he was a bad communicator. This was due to his upbringing cherished as a child destined to be King and certainly this did make him megalomaniac, not in a pathologocal way. I think he did fall down on his knees at the end of the day from time to time. What is certain is that when he was diagnosed by French Professor Barnard of being fatally ill, he was totally captured in a Golden cage that he created. He was no more able to totally trust his allies and tried in vain to make suez that he would pass the Crown to his son Prince Reza. It was too late. He left the country ordering his armed forces not to shoot on the people ( see William Shawcross "The Shah's Last Ride" ). I am a King not a Dictator he used to claim. The qualification of indesisiveness may indeed apply more appropriately than weak. Reza Pahlavi: Serious, but inexperienced First I have to say that it is wrong to think that Iranians outside Iran, (I include myself and most writers on this tribune regardless of their political inspirations Republican or Monarchist) don't understand or shared what most Iranians have endured. I think on the countrary like many of us he has been linked to Iran both mentally and emotionally. Who has not followed the news regarding Iran even be it momentarily and often frustrated to see things not move for the better in regard to Human Rights and Democracy, the situation of Woman etc. However you are correct to assume that the Crown Prince may lack the necessary experience to lead the country after the downfall of the regime. I personally think that his intention is not to rule but serve as a symbol of unity. In that he is probably quite coherent with his attitude as a wouldbe King if that becomes ultimately the choice of the Iranians after a Free and Internationally observed Referandum. What is certain however is that to gain momentum young blood should emerge around the Person of Reza Pahlavi. I am not necessarily in favor of forcing older monarchists or supporters of the Crown Prince to retirement. Their experience and views could serve and be valuable. No one is stopping anybody to volunteer and join his mouvement. No one could ask for a better candidate than Rob Sobhani or others who could fill in the Gap. Monarchy does not appeal to most Iranians: One cannot wipe out in memory at least a 50 year old Dynasty that has some form of connection with Iranians and to which most Iranians relate to as a periode when their country was prosper and life much more freer and enjoyable than today. It is still hard to swallow that A long monarchical past was wiped out by a theocracy that has had for unique policy to put down the National Symbols and values to which Iranians relate to. In addition this theocracy is so impopular that no one can predict what will take hold in the future. I truly don't think that Iranians despise the idea of a monarchy. In many ways I would prefer a Constitutional Monarchy in Iran today that for the first Time would also serve as an example of National Unity as in European Kingdoms. It is in many ways a barrier to exasperated Nationalism as in Great Britain or Northern Europe. Change from within: I believe that it is in no way the time to put off pressure on the IRI. We all want this regime to fall. The more we show hesitancy in regard to the regime, the more they will continue to push the agenda to another date. As long as this administration as warmongering as it may seem and who will not attack Iran militarily speaking. I believe every boost must be given to the freedom fighters to bring this dispacable regime to its knees. The longer we wait and the more we may witness divisions between European and American partners on the issue. Thei is no revolution or revolt that can totally succeed without a minimum of foreign intervention. Even Charles De Gaulle had to count on the Americans and the British so why not Reza Pahlavi? As long as this is not a coup nor are the goals exactly the same as in 1953. Everything must be done to help the Tehranis, Shirazis, Mashhadis to liberate the country by themselves but with the assurance that the Thugs of the IRI are to be held accountable if thay try to retaliate. We all hope for a peaceful transition to all this but we should not show weakness in the face of a regime that is no longer popular and may try to react as the Chinese in Tienanmen. That is why unity among opposition forces is necessary more than ever to avoid a civil War. Iranians in the Diaspora should take every oppurtunity to demonstrate till the 18 th of Tir if they want to bring this change and so that people in Iran realize that they are not alone in this struggle. More letters (June 19, 2003) |
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