THE IRANIAN
Letters
January 1998
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TWA 800 Farsi Cooking Iran-Australia Karoon Iran-U.S. Dancing Taxis |
Khatami Islam Shah Mojahedin Christmas Identity From.. The Iranian |
"Soup Nazi" cookbook?
After recently taking a trip to Al's [Ali Yeganeh's] soup kitchen in New York, I have to say it is the best soup I have ever tasted. I currently have two recipes for his soups. In an article that you wrote about Al's kitchen, you mentioned that he might be coming out with a book. I was wondering if he has yet or if he is still planning to. Any kind of response to this letter would be much appreciated. ["Ashpazbashi (The Soup Guy)"]
Chad Feuer
jhfeuer@earthlink.net
Band-e-gheer
This message is in response to the Photo of the Day "Crossing the Karoon". We are from Khuzestan, and as soon as I showed the picture to my father, he said "I have crossed the river at that spot in those cars..." The location is called Band-e-gheer (in the local dialect Band-e-gheel), a village between Shushtar and Ahvaz, where an subsidiary of the Karoun river passs. There were these boats as in the picture, called "Jessr" used for crossing the river. Even before automobiles, they used to cross sheep, cattle and people. Nowadays, there is a bridge at that spot called Pol-e-band-e-gheer.
Hamid Salamipour, M.D.
hamid@massmed.org
Let U.S. politicians know
What a fantastically balanced, reasoned and cool-headed analysis ("The other peace process"). It should be made available to all centers of power, in the United States, through web sites and e-mailed to all members of Congress.
Remember, not all that happens in Congress is the simple result of powerful lobbies, it is primarily the result of the amount of knowledge, a polite way of saying ignorance. Congratulations for these two professors!
Hashemn Farhang
ashfarhang@worldnet.att.net
Not alone
I read your article "Muscular dysqerophy."I just wanted to let u [writer, Gelareh Abedi] to know that u are not the only one (and not even the only Iranian girl!) who does not know how to dance. In my belief, not only you don't loose anything but also you would have more time to spend on more serious matters in life! BTW, was your article supposed to have any hidden point or something that I was stupid enough not to get it?! Take Care and Write More!
Kambiz Shoarinejad
kambiz@ampere.ee.ucla.edu
Amazingly delightful
Excellent..... beautiful.... and amazingly delightful. May the world lay upon you a thousand times the joy that you have brought to our family while we were at your [THE IRANIAN] web site. The jokes were wonderful. Thank you most gratefully. I am proud that I am an Iranian.
Sysinfo
sysinfo@wolfenet.com
Khatami should start at home
I watched with great interest from England the CNN interview with Khatami who is currently trying to develop some communicative relation with the U.S. Among many things mentioned he kept referring to how countries could live in peace together if they were able to have the land which they were rightly entitled to. He mentioned this sentence on several occasions.
I ask then why cannot the Iranian government itself return the Iranian land rightfully owned or inherited by Iranian nationals in Iran back to its own people? I would be very interested to receive your comments on this matter since I know many Iranian nationals have had their land confisgated by the government and paid for by bonds over many years.... is this some joke?
I wish Khatami would explain to me why he does not return his own nationals' land to their rightful owners, but preaches to the rest of the world to do so - a fine example the Iranian government are setting, are they not?!
From Persia, Iowa
Hi from a person who grew up in Persia, Iowa, way back in the 1950's and early 1960's. It sounds like nothing has changed in 40 years. I would like to thank you for the article, I found it amusing and entertaining. Would you believe that not one person in that town is on line. :=(
It is like the twilight zone...doo doo doo doooo! doo doo doo dooo!
When I grew up their there would always be a few farmers playing cards in the back of one of the bars....and just as hospitable then as now. The streets were always empty and there was no place for the kids to hang out....God what a shot of nostalgia...
I recently found the address of an old friend I grew up with and he still lives in Persia. When I asked via snail mail if he had stayed in Persia all his life...He said "sure have and I own three houses"... I guess Monopoly is still played in Persia...but why?
Really enjoyed your article. ...
Ben Miller
jalawoh@10mb.com
Proud of the Shah's achievements
Letter sent to the editor of The New York Times, January 9, 1998:
Dear Sirs: I am a former Iranian diplomat educated in Iran, France and the United States and I will always remain proud of the fantastic modernization efforts and major achievements of my homeland during the time of the Shah. We took our country out of misery and into prosperity.
Your editorial of January 8, 1998 "President Khatami addresses America," which qualifies the past regime as "corrupt" is rather unfair and gratuitous. I am sure it will deeply hurt the feelings of the many silent and honest Iranian technocrats who are still alive and blemish the memory of those who have died for Iran.
Assuredly not all things were rosy in our time as most certainly they are not now, but where else on our planet are they? We made mistakes but corruption was not restricted to the Shah's Iran. Presently, scandal-tinged Washington itself is not immune to influence peddling. The Shah used to say that it take corrupters to corrupt and he was right, at least in this context.
As former head of the Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I can state unquestionably that fiercely competing American businessmen were also at fault and in no small way.
Farhad Sepahbody
sepa@sedona.net
Web site: //users.sedona.net/~sepa/index.html
Khatami merely promotes different oppressive tactics
To the Editor of The New York Times:
Your Dec. 26 editorial "The Courageous Women of Iran" rightly states that Iranian women are a "force impatient for change." However, you erroneously imply that women voted for Khatami because they believed he would deliver real changes if allowed. In fact, a majority voted for Khatami to create a new balance of power that would intensify the regime's in-fighting and bring the Islamic Republic closer to its demise.
Khatami like other "moderate" mullas, is a personification of the Islamic regime. His faction merely promotes different tactics to ensure the maintenance of a system of state-sponsored violence and gender-apartheid. The Iranian people, like people everywhere, want to live in a free and secular society; they know this is impossible under Islam or the Islamic Republic.
Under the rule of the Islamic regime, women are stoned to death for voluntary sexual relations, a girl of nine can be married, women need their husbands' permission to travel or work, and women political prisoners are often tortured and raped. Clearly, settling for "relax[ed] restrictions" and "more equality" denies Iranian women their universal human rights.
Maryam Namazie
International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR)
Committee for Humanitarian Assistance to Iranian Refugees (CHAIR)
PO Box 7051, New York, NY 10116
Tel: 212-747-1046 fax: 212-425-7240
Email: chairngo@aol.com
People here want to live under Islamic Sharia
To the Editor
I am writing to you from Iran. This letter concerns Maryam Namazi's letter (see above) on Dec 30, 1997, which I read here in Iran on my Internet provider. I wonder how can someone dare to speak on behalf of our people. (When I say "people" I mean the people who continued to love their country and fought for her integrity against all enemies, not the kind of people who want live in a permissive society full of "voluntary sexual relations" as the writer puts it.)
If women (and men) are stoned to death for having illegitimate love affairs, it is not the rule of the Islamic regime but it's that of Islam which has proven to be effective in minimizing crime rates in our country. Also, that's what we voted for on April 1, 1980 (I was only 11 at the time and couldn't vote for the Islamic Republic.)
There is no need to reiterate that the writer opposes religion when she claims "people want to live in a free and secular society." I'm afriad to inform her that that's what people of her background are thirsty for. People here want to live under Islamic Sharia.
Election of President Khatami is a sign of our people's political awaremess which no one should dare to undermine especially those who do not have the slightest idea of what's going on here in Iran.
Khosro Rashid
k.rashid@apadana.com
Tehran-Iran
U.S. should recognize role in devastating '53 coup
Having read Mr. Bruce Laingen's comments on the U.S. hostage crisis and the 1953 coup in Iran, I would like to reciprocate by saying that "I do not pretend to speak for them," but I would guess that the vast majority of Iranians recognise that the imprisonment of Mr. Laingen and his colleagues was morally unjustifiable and a clear violation of the principles of international law and diplomacy.
Mr Laingen is correct in saying that the CIA-led coup in Iran does not make the seizure of the U.S. embassy any "less offensive." However, it is equally absurd to suggest that the overthrow of Dr. Mossadegh's government was a less serious violation of international law with the argument that the Prime Minister had alienated his supporters and had opened up to the Tudeh Party.
Dr. Mossadegh was no saint and clearly made many mistakes whilst in power, but he continued to enjoy the support of a large section of the Iranian population. Most importantly, his was a government which had been swept to power by the very first freely-held elections in Iran. It was, therefore, the legitimate government of Iran which was overthrown. The fact that certain Iranian elements colluded with the British and American governments to get rid of Dr. Mossadegh, does not in any way justify what was essentially illegal, covert and illegitimate interference in the internal politics of a sovereign state.
I think it is high time that the United States recognises that the coup in 1953 dealt a devastating blow to Iran's democratic elements and their attempts to curb arbitrary rule which has had reverberations down to this day.
There is an urgent need, therefore, for the United States to adopt a less blinkered view of its own role in Iran's history as well as a need for Iran's government to ensure that all factions in the country abide by the principles of international law and order.
Katayoun Jarrah-Layegh
katy-j@jnocld.japanglobe.net
Be wary of Iran's approach
From David A. Harris executive director of the American Jewish Committee to the editor of New York Newsday newspaper. 01/13/98:
I read James A. Bill's article "U.S. Should Pursue Iran Opening" {Viewpoints, Jan. 6} with some dismay. True, the recent election of Mohammad Khatami as president of Iran bears close watching. Clearly, he parts company with the more strident clerics who rule the country. But not yet apparent is the degree to which he, as president, will be in a position to influence matters, especially in foreign policy.
Further, the short shrift given by Bill to Iran's "alleged quest for weapons of mass destruction" is profoundly disturbing. There's nothing alleged about the quest. Major western intelligence agencies all agree that Iran is in the midst of a major effort to develop medium-range missiles that could reach targets in South and Central Asia, the Persian Gulf and the Mideast. Such missiles, fitted with biological or chemical warheads, would profoundly change the region's strategic equation and directly affect key American interests.
Lastly, Bill creates a troubling symmetry between Iran and the United States when he writes that "both sides have legitimate grievances." Nonsense. Notwithstanding the kudos given by Bill to Iranian foreign and domestic policy, the truth is that Iran has been the world's leading sponsor of terrorism, not to speak of a menace to a long list of nations, near and far, including the "Great Satan," as Iranian leaders frequently refer to the United States.
Here's hoping that serious change is afoot in Iran; but, despite Bill's unbridled optimism, a more sensible U.S. policy requires clear benchmarks to measure Iranian behavior before any significant change in our country's approach takes place. Anything less could prove as shortsighted as the Bush administration's support of Baghdad until Aug. 2, 1990, when Iraq occupied Kuwait, leading to Operation Desert Storm.
Magnificent soccer report
I read your summary of the World Cup soccer match between Iran and Australia ["For the record" by Hamid Taghavi]. you have done a magnificent work. your piece was so well written and well measured with facts, humor that half way through, I was worried it might end too soon. your simple and very clear style was objective and informative. It felt as if I was watching an extended highlight film. Thank you.
Prior to the final match I was so desperate to get any information about the Iranian team/players/matches that would allow me to figure-out a rational bases for the sudden crash of such dynamic team. I searched the English and Australian papers. unfortunately I found very little objective reporting when it came to an "I-rainain" team ( not very different from New York Post). I copied your article and mailed and faxed it to many people and friends around U.S.
I do not know if writing is your occupation but, you do it very well. Thank you again for your great work.
Ali Karimipour
akarimipour@cirdocs.org
Drop dead
Statistics show that a lot of people commit suicide around Christmas time. While reading Hamid Taghavi's "Ho ho ho no more" I was hoping for the author to announce he is going to go for it!
Hooshang Jafa
hjafa@infosvcs.tmh.tmc.edu
Hope
I am a student at the University of Oklahoma. I lived in Iran till the age of 8 and it will forever be a part of my identity. In an effort to keep in touch with Iranian culture, and to stay in touch with that part of me, I decided to take a look at The Iranian. Ben Bagheri's pictures of Iranians and the demonstration of how in the midst of everything people still LIVE were touching. Human nature and the struggle to find happiness feed the hope that dwells in the Iranian heart. This hope, in turn, bring about happiness. As long as this cycle continues, the true nature and identity of Iran will remain strong, always, in Iranian hearts. I enjoyed viewing the pictures, merci!
Bahareh Ebadifar
springjasmine@ou.edu
Not Iranian
[In response to "Iranaian. American too"] Ms. Laura, you are not Iranian. You are an American with Iranian heritage. An Iranian is somebody whose basic characteristics at least were formed in Iran. I don't think anybody has the right to exclude anybody else from a heritage; but there is a difference between people who live in a country good or bad, day in day out and contribute to its life, and those who grab their money at the first opportunity and set up shop somewhere else and whose only contact with the old country is through, say Iranian pop music produced in LA or some kind of touristy interest in the poor suckers still stuck in hell.
George Chow
gchow@mercury.bc.ca
Thanks for Kerman
I was so pleased to read and view the articles and pictures on Kerman and on the painter Scott Hesse on your web site. I've only recently come to tap into The Iranian, and find it quite comprehensive and well-rounded in its coverage of the wide-ranging topics. Keep up the great work you're doing. Thanks again.
Set aside animosities
I don't know what to make of your article, "Hot implications of U.S.-Iran relations". It is certainly witty. I am not sure whether it is a critique of American capitalism or Iranian business practices or what. Can you be more specific in your essay in what ever message you are trying to convey to your audience?
Here is my opinion on the latest developments in Iran, if anybody cares to hear it:
For the first time in the history of Iran a truly popular figure has been legitimately elected, by the people, to serve the country. Let us all put aside all the animosities toward the left, the right, the middle, and what ever hangs in between. Let's agree that Khatami's election was a positive event, and can be used as a basis for reform and progress in Iran.
Babak Mohammadifar
bmohamma@email.msn.com
Accept our differences
It was a real pleasure for me to learn that my country Iran is attracting American tourists, but I guess before a tourist writes an article about a particular event or fact he or she needs to gather some information. In Stephen Shaffer's article "Mostaqim!", there is a little confusion: you need to know -- or at least discuss the matter with an Iranian who has lived in Tehran -- before you write about cabs in Tehran. (See Shaffer's reply below)
These cabs are not the same as taxis in the U.S. They operate according to the ways you have described. The closest example Iranian taxis that would be comparable to those in the U.S. would be "on call taxis" -- you call on the telephone and you can have them just for yourself . These are private, and you are the only passenger. They'll take you wherever you want to go.
As someone who has traveled to many countries as a tourist, I think the differences in culture and customs in countries should be understood and accepted by tourists who decide to visit the given country. Just because things are different in different parts of the world, doesn't mean that we can criticize them. (see reply below)
Maryam Khatir
MaryamK@DiamondMM.com
Reply from to Maryam Khatir Stephen Shaffer shaffer@smtp.ilo-nylo.org
Unfortunately, you have perceived that I was unwilling to accept the customs and practices of Iran and its people; that I found them primitive and barbaric; had absolutely no clue about Iran and could not even find it on a map - had I been unwilling to accept the customs and practices of Iran and its people, would it have made sense for me to have taken a trip to a country with which my own has had no diplomatic ties since 1980 and has held in such low regard, calling it a rogue or outlaw state?
In light of the fact that I was willing to travel there, would it not then also stand to reason that quite clearly I was not entirely unfamiliar with Iran and Iranians and was quite aware that Iran was not the same as portrayed by the media? But then again, who is entirely prepared for every aspect of what awaits him/her when traveling to a new and different country? No one... full text
National Council of Resistance
I believe you should write about freedom of speech not about the Shah or Khomeini or Bakhtiar; they are a bunch of people working for other countries not for the Iranian people. The only organization [working] for the people is [Masoud Rajavi's] NCR [National Council of Resistance]. (See two replies below)
Reza Alizadeh
REZA60@prodigy.net
MKO?!
You know I love your peper and services, but I can't figure out how that MKO [Mojahedin Khalq] guy qualified to include his little comment. I mean, not even a letter, just a comment? Anyway, you are doing a great job!
Trita Parsi
m74tp80t@students.su.se
No wonder
In the introduction to Susanne Pari, the author of "The Fortune Catcher," it says "because of this lawsuit [against the Iranian government], Pari cannot visit Iran without putting herself in danger."
These kinds of comments really upset me. This woman has never been to Iran since before the revolution and yet she knows that her life would be in danger!? Has she actually received threats or is this just her bias?
It is no wonder that Americans worry about Iran, with all these Iranian fiction writers running around.
Brad Hernlem
hernlemb@pw.usda.gov
Freedom of speech
Many of our compatriots both here and in Iran find it difficult to understand, let alone implement the concept of "freedom of speech" including Trita Parsi who obviously does not approve of Reza Alizadeh's support for the NCR (the common euphemism for the Mojaheddin Khalgh Organization).
I strongly disapprove of Mojaheddin ideology and activities and regard them as the worst possible alternative to the current regime in Iran.
However, I also disapprove of any attempts to throttle contrary political opinions and views. Such attempts show a lack of political sophistication and a disrespect for democracy.
I would like to congratulate the Iranian Times and its editor for upholding the freedom of speech. I would not bother to read a single word of it if I felt it was in any way biased towards a specific ideology or Iranian faction.
Katayoun Jarrah-Layegh
katy-j@jnocld.japanglobe.net
Can't forgive the MKO, but...
As a die-hard Iranian nationalist, I have never been able to come to terms with the betrayal of the MKO. I have tried hard to find forgiveness in my heart, but opening fire on Iran, side-by-side the Iraqis has been too hard for me to forgive.
Having said that, I must say, even if I hate it, The Iranian should be aplauded for not censoring the comment. After all, censorship is not the answer. Let them be heard and let us (who strongly oppose their actions)set an example by engaging in debate and applying logic. Perhaps we will succeed in convincing some members of that group that taking the lives of innocent Iranians is not admirable resistance but abhorrent acts of terrorism. If not, at least we have maintained higher moral ground.
Siamak Namazi
siamak@erols.com
Not just an Iranian; PERSIAN
I am a Persian. Not just an Iranian, but a Persian. I am a member of the great families of the nation of Persia. I am talking to those Persians who think they are of a seperate race and ought to be independent of the central government.
No matter where in the great land of Persia you werew born, Azarbaijan, Khorassan, Balouchistan, or other places, you are a Persian, and an Iranian.Thank you for your attention.
Moe Shojania
shoja@intergate.bc.ca
Reactionary
The Iranian Times is becoming a bit of a loose/reactionary cyberpublication. Plsease don't take this note as an insult but rather a friendly reminder. Not all of us are quite politically savvy to realize what kind of bearing our "releases" may have on public opinion. Look at the following write ups in The Iranian Times No. 399:
[Feature section] "Iraqi gets cool reception in Iran": Then why did Iran's government invite Saeed al-Sahhaf to begin with? At stake is life of thousands of precious young Iranian POWs in Iraqi camps, and visa versa . Let's give this meeting a serious critique in that regard. I can connect you to some of the POWs immediate families in San Jose (California), if you like to measure concerns.
[Clinton section] "Clinton needs tight iron belt": The Iranian Times mind-set is trapped by the same group of senseless jerks who can write about everything with one hand, while playing with their dicks with the other. Do you need a proof? Read the following:
[Smile ;-) section] "Clinton & The Pope": I do believe some Iranians would have problem with this type of mockery.
I still can't pinpoint The Iranian Times' mission. Is the mission a satirical cybermagazine or socio-cultural Iranian publication?
Dariush Asfari
dariush.asfari@ci.sj.ca.us
Farsi is surely the sweetest
My name is Todd Main and I am from Alaska. At 20 years of age, I traveled to Beijing, China to undertake an undergraduate degree in history at Peking University. After my first year of studies, I switched my major to Persian studies. At that time, my roommate was Iranian, so learning the colloquial language was somewhat easier for me than my Chinese classmates.
Learning the Persian language was one of the greatest joys of my life. Of the four languages that I speak, Farsi is surely the sweetest on my tongue. For years I have wanted to visit Iran, but have many times been denied a visa due to my nationality. Now that relations between Iran and the US are thawing, I am excited that I might have the opportunity to visit that great country one day.
For all the help given to me in understanding both the Persian language and the Persian peoples, I would especially like to thank Majid Ghorbani and Dr. Hassan Zand. Thank you both for opening your country to my mind, heart and soul. Yek donyaa mamnoon!
Todd Main
todd@full-moon.com
TWA Flight 800: Repeat disaster
The mysteries of the TWA flight 800 tragedy become more clear as the past reveals the history of that particular 747.
I was a young pilot in Iran in 1974 when the Iranian Air Force agreed to purchase two 747's from TWA. Later on due to oil boom and orders from then Shah of Iran, the Air Force had to replace these two used 747's with new ones.
Of the two planes agreed for purchase, one was rejected and returned to TWA. The delivered 747 was re-configured into a Cargo conversion. In May 1976 on a flight to Spain, it mysteriously exploded in mid-air at 18,000 feet. There are no airplane accident investigative agencies in Europe such as there are in America, therefore Boeing and US Air Force did the crash investigation.
The crash that killed all 27 on board, including one American, was explained by Boeing as a "lightening strike." Airplanes being struck by lightening are a common occurrence. They do not in themselves ëdestroy' the plane. A strike can induce a brief electrical jolt of some minor consequence into the plane's electrical system (the aluminum shell of the plane is not a good conductor of electricity). However, it could be more than enough to ignite a 747's center fuel tank if it had a design flaw that left it unprotected.
The 747 returned to TWA by the Iranian Air Force in 1974 was the Flight 800 airplane. Two "sister" airplanes, manufactured by Boeing during the same period, obviously with a common center fuel tank susceptible to a potentially fatal electrical charge by an internal electrical surge or spark.
With the hundreds of 747's flying every day all over the world, their incredibly perfect safety record is without question. Whatever was built into the center tank design and manufacture of these two "sister" airplanes 28 years ago has obviously been corrected. The similarity of the reason for the fatal endings of these two particular planes is too true to be ignored.
Farhad Kashani
Los Altos, California
farhad.kashani@plantronics.com
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