Nakisa


Mossaddeq

The 1953 coup & the CIA:
Comments

Comments received from members of THE IRANIAN Bulletin mailing list in response to a survey sent on June 6, 1997 regarding the CIA's role in the 1953 coup against the government of Dr. Mohammad Mossaddeq and recent reports that related documents have been destroyed. Each (*) represents a comment from a different person. Latest comments are on top. Names/emails of those who have sent comments have been withheld unless they expressed the wish to be named. None of the comments are from the editor.


* Not too much mystery left
* So much for this land of glory
* Destroyed Iran's chances of becoming democratic
* Mossaddeq probably would have been ousted anyway
* We should care what is going on now
* Ridiculous claim
* We need to move forward
* The 50th anniversary is approaching
* Look in Department of State or National Archives
* I suggest you look here in England
* We should keep up our pressure
* Forget the past
* Sue those SOBs
* CIA should be held responsible
* The revelation might explain the revolution as a reaction
* It would be devastating to show extent of involvement
* Admitting role in overthrowing Mossaddeq will give Iran upperhand
* Only the truth will lead to normalized relations
* Wrong time to reveal objective evidence
* Suing the CIA is like winning the lottery without a ticket
* Work for a better future
* Suing may not be the appropriate
* Documents could stir U.S. public debate
* That's why those *%@&! are the Great Satan
* Very keen to know the details
* At least disclose the political reasons behind the coup
* Shed light on most important epoch in Iranian histroy
* The moon will not always stay behind clouds
* The question is where does Iran go from here?
* Nothing is more beautiful than the truth
* CIA role may be fabricated or exaggerated
* Read Kermit Roosevelt's "Counter-Coup"
* ...holes
* Legal avenues should be followed to get info
* Law suit will not change CIA decision
* U.S. influence evident throughout this century
* What if those involved are still in places of influence?
* Act of cowardice
* Must be very incriminating evidence
* Understanding recent anit-American sentiments
* CIA would dig up files underlegal threat
* The curse of oil
* Dove of peace
* Enough reasons to hate the U.S.
* Another game by Uncle Sam
* What good is this?
* Disrespect for Iran and Iranians - again
* How could it possibly benefit CIA?
* Everybody knows
* CIA still has vital role in everything happening in the Middle East
* Periodic review
* Going public would hurt U.S. prestige
* At least disclose the political reasons behind the coup
* Loss of Iranian life
* CIA would dig up files underlegal threat
* Does anyone believe the CIA?
* CIA: government within government
* Be proud of Iran, not your BMW


From: Fred Diba fdiba@compuserve.com

* There really is no reason to make such a fuss about the CIA statement that the documents on the 1953 coup have been nearly all destroyed.

First, an organization called UPA (in Maryland) gathered ALL DECLASSIFIED material about the coup (amongst other material) and published it, in microfilm. It is available for about $2,500 from them.

Secondly, further to the documents just described, I personally have collected thousands of copies of U.S. documents on Dr.Mossadegh, whilst I was writing his political biography. This was published under the title: "Dr.Mohammad Mossadegh - A Political Biography", London and NY 1986. It is now out of print and, when I find the time, I will bring out a revised and paperback edition. However, there are many references in that book to the archival documents. I am also considering publication of the documents in my possession which, although available elsewhere, would be useful in a collected form.

I was able to obtain the declassification of many previously-closed documents. Also, when some documents were refused, I went through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and obtained them. Furthermore, when requests through FOIA were refused, or when huge deletions were made in the released documents, I went into an appeal process and was able open up many more.

Most of the documents originated from the State Dept., rather than the CIA, as one of your readers has correctly pointed out. Some found their way into Commerce (due to the oil angle), as well as into other Departments, even if they were no longer available at their origin. Many more were found outside the U.S., as in the British archives of various departments of their government.

Whatever was not found in documents, was brought out in many interviews with the British and American operatives involved in the coup. These interviews were carried out by myelf and, later, by others such as Mark Gasiorowski ("The 1953 Coup d'Etat in Iran").

Therefore, there is not too much left that is now a mystery about the coup and it is certainly in error to state that a part of history has been buried.

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* I believe that the true reason why the CIA is revealing this news at this time is due to the approaching 50th anniversary of the coup itself. This is traditionally a time when foreign ministries and state departments declassify and release such old files for historical research purposes.

During the last two years, a fair degree of interest had begun to develop over this impending release of the 1953 Iran coup documents in various historical research circles. But now with the "anticlimactic revelation" that the bulk of the documents were destroyed back in the early 60's, we are perplexed over several questions:

1. Why are there only "one cubic foot of Iran coup records" and "1400 pages of documents pertaining to say the 1954 Guatemala coup" ? If there is a "standard operating/administrative" policy about document retention at the CIA, why would there be such disparate handling results from different operations in roughly the same time periods ?

2. Documents regarding secret missions in Indonesia in the 1950's were also "burnt". Could it be that records from larger, more important countries like Indonesia and Iran are "routinely destroyed" but records from smaller, lesser important countries are maintained in full as an example of document retention ?

It's too bad. It would have been wonderful to have been able to finally see what really happened back in 1953 from a historical point of view. Now we'll never know.

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* The CIA is an organization based on espionage and deceipt, with the aim of improving the economic, political, and military power of the US. There is no reason or evidence in existence to suggest that the CIA has anything to gain from telling the truth about anything. In fact, it is without doubt that the CIA has made a very successful business of lying.

It confounds me that anybody even considers the CIA's excuses in relation to the Iranian saga, as remotely honest. It is clear without doubt that if the truth of the CIA involvement in the Iranian revolution was made public, then it would devastatigly show the world the extent of the CIA's involvement in any and every other nations political framework.

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* If there is any hope for normalized relations between U.S. and Iran all the past history needs to come out.

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* I think we all should forget the past. There is a new era in front of us. The important thing is, we should get our lesson from what has happened. US must try not to interfere with internal issues of other countries specially Iran, which has suffered a lot of these kind of interferences. Iranian people also should ease their tension against US. We all are close to the 21th century, so let the bygones be bygones and begin a new era with peace.

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* I think it is generally accepted that the CIA played a central role in the 1953 coup. The documents, destroyed or not, could not significantly change that perception within the Iranian public opinion. They can however be used to trigger US public debate about current US policy, both public and covert, vis-a-vis Iran. That's why I think the reports are important, and the press stories probably have more to do with various factions in US government wanting to promote or inhibit scrutiny of current US policy.

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* Those %$&@%# , they wreck our country, and then wonder why we call them the Great Satan.

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* Can't wait for the documents? In the US the documentation on the matter would probably be at Department of State or National Archives and not much could be expected to be found at the Company.

Also read "Counter Coup" by Kim Roosevelt. It contains almost everything the documents probably contain. A better source of research on the 1953 situation may be the British archives, Foreign Office in particular, as Operation Ajax was a combined Aglo-Iranian Oil Company/British Intelligence and CIA affair.

It names people and events in good detail -- and for all you CIA-phobes, here is a bit of bitter truth -- the whole operation cost less than $80,000 against a budget of $250,000. Were Iranians cheap, or that Mr. Mossaddeq's government was not too pouplar anyway? Or, is it that when it comes to backing governments, the majority of the population rather sit on their hand and see idols fall?

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* From a histrorical prespective, I think that it is interesting. But in reality, this information would do nothing. The question is where does Iran go from here? Not where it has been.

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* Nothing is more beautiful than the truth. Nothing will serve the people and the international peace and freedom but the truth. The enemy of the truth is the enemy of humanity, no matter it is originated from IRI or USA.

By destroying (if true) the documents, Americans have admitted that they have committed a big crime against Iranians. However, they have also destroyed the chance for future generations to learn lessons from these kinds of historical mistakes. It means the CIA has tried to erase a mistke with a bigger mistake.

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* I think, the CIA wouldn't like to let us know, that its role in the 1953 coup in Iran destroyed Iran's chances of becoming a democratic, independent country in the region.

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* Although it is hard to believe, but what if the US involvement if the 1953 affairs is not as extensive as it is publicly believed. After all I have always found it quite interesting, that the 1953 revelations became public right about the time of Shah's downfall. This would not be the first time that US has fabricated or exaggerated stories to achieve a certain domestic or foreign policy.

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* There is book out by Mc Graw Hill, written by Kermit Roosevelt. Kermit was the head of the Middle East Department of CIA at Mosadegh time, and he was the one in charge of the coup against Mosadegh. He published his book "COUNTER COUP --THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CONTROL OF IRAN" in March of 1979. In his book he describes how the coup against Mosadegh was conceived and implemented. It may be the next best thing to the CIA documents.

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* About the last question, I beleive there should be a reaction, but suing may not be the appropriate one at the first step.

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* Thank you for this timely poll. I can now lean my head on your shoulder and unburden myself.

You see, ever since I came to the States I have felt that I'm carrying this extra baggage with me around. The baggage is I could never explain to my adopted country that to take me in is to take in history itself, for I'm the bastard child of the revolution. The revolution crept up on me like a giant monster and swallowed me up for snacks. In its stomach I was transfigured: thick hair grew on my body in the most unlikeliest of places, my tongue turned green and when I breathe a poisonous vapor with a horrid stench comes out. People get away from me wherever I appear; they don't even pause to put on their slippers before they run away.

It seems that now there's a chance I can tell my side of the story. How long I have waited to explain the obvious fact that I wasn't always like this, disfigured and ugly, and terrorist-looking. In the West people are so lucky that they can get rid of their ugliness by expressing themselves.

Here's a chance to show the world why I'm so fickle and base and unruly.

The country of my birth, Iran, and my adopted country, the U.S.A. haven't always been at odds like this. In fact they had had a wonderful relationship prior to the August of 1953. They danced together, God knows, for over a hundred and fifty years. An American teacher, whose name escapes me now, fought and died in the battle of Tabriz in the constitutional revolution of 1905-11, leaving the little children to tell the tales of his heroic deeds.

Having watched the Islamic uprising practically on their TV screens, it's difficult for my adopted country now to understand that the enemy is not really. It used to count Yankees as its friends in the immediate post-war international scene when Iran was constantly bullied by the U.S.S.R and the U.K. Hadn't Mossaddeq, himself, called America the bird of peace and liberty while Truman still was at the helm?

Somehow, I think the uncool Eisenhower foreign policy needs a good exposing. Maybe then my forgetful compatriots will see for themselves why they're reaping so much violence. Could it be that the seeds were sown by our own boys down there? The revelation could/might explain the Iranian revolution perhaps as a reaction--albeit a crass and base one--to that savage act in 1953.

Sometimes I think we all feel ugly that way. I see in our shamed eyes and read it in our graceous foreheads. I tell myself there isn't always shame in being looked upon with condescending contempt. It's just that we haven't explained ourselves yet. We haven't submitted ourselves to their probing, investigating fingers.

Look, others have risen above it. So what if we're round pegs in square holes. By turning and rubbing, one day the hole might just become round and we'll feel just at home.

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* I take this to be an act of cowardice by the CIA and by the American government in general.

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* The CIA always comes back after 30 or so years and reveals things. It's good to let the American public know what happened in 1953 so they become more understanding of the current or recent Iranian sentiments about the US government.

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* What would the outcome of these findings be? And what would it change in our lives today? Besides, it's most likely that anyone who cares already knows what really happend. We have to learn from our past, and work for a better future.

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* Although I do believe that these were lost, I believe that it was an intentional act. Khak besareshaan, those secret agent men; Overthrowing a legitimate govt is pure sin.

Sue those SOBs, they did a dastardly thing. Money is the VERY LEAST that they could give us.

This whole thing is a joke. I can't believe the U.S., the more that I become educated. First of all, they started a vicious coup d' etat in the Sovereign Nation of Hawaii, then they started more of them in Guatemala and my fatherland of Iran. Ooooh, I'm sure that Dr. Mohammad Mossaddeq was just as bad as frickin Stalin.

This whole even just sickens me, so I apologize for becoming so upset.

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* There is no greater peace than to hold the dove of peace and not let it fly free ever.

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* The 1953 coup was exactly 44 years ago and I really don't care whether CIA was involved or not, even though I am sure it was. It happened two generations ago and both CIA and Iran and, in a broader view, world have gone under tremendous changes. We should care what is going on now.

I say this because I see still some are living in that era and can't overcome the rightly emotions they felt at the time.

To me the role of CIA in the coup is as irrelevant to today as the British role in Reza Shah's coup.

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* Don't our countrymen have enough reason for hating the US?

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* Publishing the 1953 coup documewnts will prove the fact that ALL problems existing between the U.S. and Iran today were initiated by the U.S. If they admit this concept before the world community, they ought to apologize to Iranian people for four decades of oppression. that is why the documents got lost!! what's new! "Maah baraaye hamisheh zireh abr nemimand (from Dr. Mossaddeq's defence)" ("The moon will not always stay behind clouds").

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* Another game by the CIA, for their own national interests. We have seen a lot of these games played by Uncle Sam. All the cards are open in this game, I believe.

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* What good will this survey do for our nation?

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* It is very curious!! What if people who were involved are still in places of influence? Maybe that is why they do not want the stuff to get out!!?

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* Destroyed or saved by CIA, we all know that US influence in Iran was evident throughout this century specially 1953 coup,...

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* [The CIA claims to have destroyed the documents] because now is not the time to give the Iranian government, its people and the world at large, any objective evidence confirming the exploitation of Iran during the shah's tenure by the USA.

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* Once again it just comes to show the disrespect America has for Iran and its people. If this was any other country America wouldn't dream of doing this (destroying documents). However they feel that it doesn't matter with Iran.

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* To be frank trying to sue the CIA is equivalent to trying to win the lottery without a ticket! it is impossible! it is well known that the CIA has been responsible for most covert rectionary revolutions in the world...and so what??? what can we do about it?

But yes! it should be demanded that all CIA publications and communiques be available for public inspection! it is a basic human right to have freedom to information of such illicit acts!

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* I wouldn't be surprised that the CIA did in fact destroy those documents that look bad today and I certainly think that they are capable of and would not hesitate doing such a thing. That is, I suspect that they are partially telling the truth (i.e. the part that they destroyed some of the evidence directly relating to the operations that led to the coup.)

At the same time, I don't think that the CIA or any part of the US government is efficient enough to earse ALL the evidence of their apparnet wrongdoing. Therefore we should keep up our pressure on the US government toward forcing them to (1) critically review their pars conducts in these matters (e.g. illegally overthrowing foreign governemnts or political leaders); and (2) reorganize the government structures in such a way that these transgressions of national soverignty will not be repeated.

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* What I would like to know is why would anyone want to destroy such documents. How could it possibly benefit CIA?

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* By in large, the role of the CIA in the 1953 coup has been well documented and the loss "???" of these documents cannot increase or decrease the fact that the U.S. had an active role in the coup. It is ridiculous on the part of the CIA to claim that it has inadvertantly destroyed these documents when it is so well known that MR. Kermit Roosevelt an OSS operative was a key figure in course of events.

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* Mossaddeq's behaviour was as incomprehensible to the British as Khomeini's. The CIA may have helped, but the British were to blame. I'm sure their 'loss' merely means that the documents have been transferred to London. Remember it was British interests which were at stake, not American ones. I'll always remember the Isfahani Taxi Driver who, when I asked in in 1994 if he carried many british replied, "They prefer to meddle from afar".

If you want to find out what really happened I suggest you look here in England.

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* As long as there is oil in Iran, foreign interest will influence our lives. Have you thought about just giving Iran's oil to the oil companies and in return have their assurances they will not interfere in Iran's affairs!

Iran's most important asset is its people not its oil; Just look at Japan and what hard work and brilliant mind can do for a country.

Just another idea!

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* I think the multiple-choice format is a bit restrictive for your questions. Thank you for publicizing this issue, though. If there is a legal way to get at the information (assuming it still exists and has not in fact been destroyed) I that think that it should be pursued. Looking forward to reading the results of your survey.

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* Everybody knows about CIA involvement in the coup. CIA limited it's involvement by destroying the documents.

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* Since the CIA was one of the major players in this coup, its records would shed light on one of the most important epochs in the histroy of Iran. It would also serve as a great source for studying and understanding American history too.

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* This issue is not important just for Iranians, but just the more so for Americans, whether they be of Iranian origin or not. This is a government of the people and if the CIA cannot be responsible for its acts then its fate and existence should be questioned, just as any secret government agency should be questioned.

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* Although I was not even born at that time I still found myself very keen to know the details of the events during Mossaddeq era including the coup, perhaps because of Mossaddeq's unique character and his admirable political ambitions.

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* In 1979, in Los Angeles Time, Kermit Roosevelt, who claimed to be a member of CIA in 1953 revealed his roll in the 1953 coup. He made the involvment of CIA in the coup very clear. He gave details of the mission that he lead. He even confessed that the budget for the mission was set to be a million dollars, but he only spent $70,000.

Furthermore he confessed he entered Iran through Iraqi's border with a false passward. So there must be some very incriminating evidence that the CIA is trying to hide. CIA must be fearful for whatever reason.

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* The CIA's role in the '53 military coup is probably irrelevant. Given the destruction that Mossaddeq was inflicting on the economy, he probably would have been ousted anyway. He wouldn't have even been in power, save for his '52 coup when he canceled elections that were going against him.

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* [Why has the CIA has revealed the destruction of 1953 document at this time?] Because thay are a..holes.

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* I am very sure that the CIA had and still has a vital role in everything happens in the middle east from those days until now. After all , they are the breeders or godfathers of the regime ruling Iran now as they used Khomeini as a weapon and somehow they could not exactly predict how he would turn against them.

The CIA will never give up on the middle east. Just as it happened in Saudi Arabia, they are using the extremists against the ruling family. You just have to indulge yourself in one of these so-called Islamic groups, and you will know that they are only talking bullshit ( I am sorry for my language ). It is always obvious how the CIA have digged their roots so deep in all the societies in the middle east.

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* Finally, Iran and US will negotiate. This negotiation will have two major parts, who did what in the past and what are the future mutual intersts of both countries. Each side has to accept part of the blame for the what has been done in the past. Iranian government should accept the balme for the hostage taking.

However, US government has a very distinguished record in this case namely, supporting Iraq, shooting down Iran Air airbus, blocking Iranian government assets, supporting the Shah and most importantly active involvement in the 1953 coup.

Offically admitting the role of the CIA in overthrowing Mossaddeq will give an upperhand to the Iranian government and even can be used to justify the hostage taking in 1979. Considering the attitude of US government toward Iran this is totally unacceptable.

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* I think this is an interesting historic issue that does not have any relevance to Iranians who are living in U.S. today. We need to move forward and direct our efforts to issues that have relevance to the future. I am sure that if we could have voted in those days for presidential nominees (as we can today), the history would been written differently. I think the questions were not well designed.

The fact of matter is that CIA is not known for its trustworthiness and on occasions has even mislead both the president and Congress. They used to operate based on plausible denial (maybe even today). So I won't be surprised if they actually have destroyed those document.

Let's face it, the 1953 coup has not been one of the U.S. shining moments. As for offending the current regime, I don't think they really care about Mossaddeq. They don't even like the guy if my memory serves.

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* I don't think a lawsuit will result in any change in CIA's decision. Besides, I'm not sure that a large number of us (Iranians) have enough courage and perseverance to get involved in such an issue. I'm sorry for being so pessimistic.

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* [The CIA has made the revelation about the destruction of the documents at this time] as a result of periodic review of unreleased documents.

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* Admiting to it's role in the 1953 coup would harm U.S.-prestige, particularly because of the U.S. claim to be the defender of freedom, human rights and democracy everywhere. That would also result in a general mistrust of the U.S foreigen policy, which will complicate executing their important role in the world.

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* General info. about the CIA coup in Iran and roles of Generals Schwarzkov (sc), and Zahedi already exist. Almost everyone in the Iranian political arena knows about CIA's roll in overthrowing Dr. Mossaddeq's national government.

I believe pressure should be put on the CIA to at least disclose what had happened (the political process) that culminated to a decision to destroy the files. I think that's a good start.

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* 1953, 1979, ? . CIA. Mossad, KGB, MI-6, etc... Different decades, different agencies, but always the same results: The loss of Iranian life.

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* The CIA has accumulated millions of pages of information detailing its undercover activities from the time of its creation until now. I sincerely doubt that they would actively destroy their documents, but I rather think that they have dumped the 1953 coup files into their vast ocean of files in some vault somewhere and are now unwilling to try and dig them up. They need proper incentive, such as a threat to sue by Iranian-Americans under the Freedom of Information Act.

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* Does anyone believe that CIA is truthful in what it claims?!

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* These sort of actions prove to the American people that the CIA is in fact a government within government in American politics. It also gives credence to the opponents' claims of everything "evil" about American foreign policy. I hope that sooner or later people will be able to put an end to these undemocratic activities.

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* Based on these reactions, it looks like, finally!, we all see/feel/understand some kind of legitimacy in the 79 revolution; we just don't have the "toops" to confess it!

So what is all that "iran bashing" in front of foreigners? Maybe it is time to stop it, be "proud" Iranians, and start defending your national values and not your BMWs!

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* Up to their dirty tricks again and undermining the intelligence of people. Do they really think people are stupid ? So much for this land of glory, claiming to honor the rights of people, etc., or whatever it says in their Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Why cry wolf when it comes to the Iranian regime, when apparently the US government itself is so good in manipulating people and nations. It's just a matter of know how and the level of sophistication employed.

As for question 3 "why do you think the CIA has made this revelation...?" It's not just the consideration of presrnt policies regarding Khatami's government, but also the fact that this revelation will create an international embarrassment for them.

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