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Myths of Separatism
23-May-2008
The most recent case of state separation has been that of Kosovo. I saw Serbs come to the streets and protest. It was quite interesting. Serbs were badly humbled and humiliated. They protested, burnt this and that, threw some cocktail molotovs at the US embassy, did a few other things expressing their frustration, cooled down, went home, end of story! They were like football fans, really devoted ones, who were very angry that their team had been humiliated. Then again, they poured some anger, caused damage to some property, cooled down, went home, and, end of story. Just like in football.
Many of our fellow Iranians ALSO fear separatism. They truly fear it and they act just like football fans, though their activities have so far been limited to talks and writings. An anonymous commentator in my previous article made a link to a video, and I clicked to watch it. I am sorry that I cannot call the guy on the video an idiot because (beside being also sorry for having used the word) I would be insulting idiots. Anyway, watching that video, and also many writings and talks on the Internet, I started to think that actually many Iranians have genuine fear that Iranian regions may some day separate from the rest (whatever would remain) of Iran. So, let's analyse the realities and see what is at stake beside football-like hooliganism and emotional wasteland.
Let's actually watch this guy's video! He receives a phone call and the two of them almost have virtual orgasm as they so much agree with each other that all of Iran's current and past problems is because of the same Turks who now say that they are unhappy and they feel "oppressed". I don't know this person. His interpretations are not just insensitive, hateful and divisive, but also terribly one-sided, and wrong from all points of view for any reasonable person. I wish not to go into detail on this as it would become too long, and too far from the scope of this article.
What is all the fuss about separatism and so much 'fear' or maybe 'joy' about its prospects! Let's look at the realities today! Do you really feel that any country would want to separate Iran's Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, or Baluchistan from the rest? This is nothing but a primary type of mass paranoia inflicted upon us because of our school-era education based on pure prejudice and propaganda. First of all, all Iranian regions except for the south-east, especially Khuzestan, are worthless. You think they have industry? The whole of Iran lacks any beneficial, serious, or productive industry. Iran is a bankrupt country run on crude oil, PERIOD.
Tell me this, would Iran ever take over Afghanistan? Iran would not want to annex Afghanistan even if the Americans paid the Iranian regime $100 billion! Would Republic of Azerbaijan want Iranian Azerbaijan? Or would Turkey? They wouldn't take it if it was made a gift. They wouldn't take it if you begged them, believe me! Why would they want to unite with Iranian Azerbaijan? I am sure there are naive football-fan-like nationalists on all sides of borders, but their rulers are more concerned about their own affairs rather than hot air and empty dreams.
The days when peoples constituted subjects, and the more subjects you had the better, are long gone. Nowadays even a semi-tyrannic regime like that of Iran does not view its citizens as subjects who can go hungry. Even Iran's mullahs know that they need to feed their citizens so they do not revolt. And the more citizens you have in a backward and oil-dependant country like Iran the worse! And of course the rulers know it. They keep the checks-and-balances. They don't just talk. It would have been another matter in case the situation was different and everything was rosy and people were employed and rich. But no, the only precious Iranian land worth having some fight over is Khuzestan. And we have already had the fight over it where almost one million people died. The rest of Iran? Not worth a penny for any foreigner! Not only that Iran's neighbouring countries, or even other countries, would not wish to take over any of Iran's regions, they wouldn't even really be interested in seeing any of those regions separated on their own.
Any Iranian region, again except for Khuzestan, which would separate from Iran would run a very high risk of starvation, pretty much similar to the case of Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The only relatively acceptable and functional sectors of industry, commerce or any sort of other activities making significant revenues for Iranians are based on state subsidy. All these subsidies rely on the oil revenue and the oil revenue comes from the south-east. Iranian regions would undergo real catastrophe if they were cut off various state subsidies. Gasoline is subsidised. Bread is subsidised. A huge proportion of Iranians work for the government and all their incomes are directly linked to the oil revenue. Most infrustructure activites depend on the oil revenue. Electricity, heating, and many other important sectors run on state subsidies. All these subsidies are decided in Tehran. Any Iranian region that would be cut off those subsidies (resulted from the oil sold to foreigners) would face a terrible and immediate crisis. The situation would improve in time, but that 'time' may be too late. And Iran's neighbouring countries would not really want to be surrounded by small states full of starving people. That would reduce commerce and increase instability.
What would happen to what would remain of Iran if we separated Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and let's say, Baluchistan? At least theoretically speaking, more prosperity for the remaining part! Practically speaking it would mean humanitarian catastrophe for all Iranians because families would be separated for no real reason. In case such a scenario took place and the Iranian central government would no longer need to spend the oil money to subsidise various public matters in Azerbaijan, Kurdistan and Baluchistan, there would be more money left to be spent for the rest of Iran, right? Yes! So, Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Kerman and so on would be much better off, theoretically.
National pride is not exactly my favourite subject, but I can assure all our 'concerned' Iranians that nobody wants any piece, or inch, of Iran because they are not stupid enough for that! And if there are people inside Iran who ARE stupid enough to want separation from the central reservoir, in case you are an Iranian from more central areas of Iran, you may as well pray that their numbers would rise and they would get what they want! Just kidding! No, Iran needs unity because we all care for each other and because we ought to stride toward freedom and human rights rather than empty dreams.
Which is actually the most oppressed area of Iran? I think it is Khuzestan. Because Khuzestan is where most of the revenue comes from, and it is later spent according to the wishes and desires of the central authority. No Iranian region is run well because the whole system is in shambles and most of the revenue is wasted. And this indeed antagonises Iranians of various backgrounds, especially those who feel they are not treated like equals. And please folks, don't confuse legitimate rights and desires with stupid and ridiculous ideas!
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Dear Mr. Madadi Thanks
by varjavand on Sat May 24, 2008 08:02 AM PDTDear Mr. Madadi
Thanks for your direct response to my comments. I occasionally post my own writings on this site and I don’t get as many comments as you do. So perhaps my statement about you enjoying comments was based on the fact that I may be envious. Plus, I think there is nothing wrong with that, we all enjoy complements.
You are right about the fact the fact that most of us do not like controversy and take pleasure in the business-as-usual mentality. What makes us interesting, however, is diversity not only physically but also mentally. Ordinary people, I believe, are like the gifts your friends bring you for your birthday. What makes them surprising is the fact that they are different and represent different personalities. Life was so boring if there was no variety.
I enjoy reading your writings. I believe you are a well-rounded writer, and sorry for misspelling your last name in my first comment
Varjavand
Moshiri
by Anonymousian (not verified) on Sat May 24, 2008 07:56 AM PDTWhy demonize moshiri? If he is incorrect on his historical facts, one must point that out. Facts are facts, never mind if they make turkic rulers look bad or not. We know that he is at least partially right about atrocities of invaders and ruler, who happened to be of turkic origin. So why the anxiety?
If non-turkic rulers did the same, point that out to counter his argument (we do not have many of them post-islamic although).
Re: Anonymous-persis
by Ben Madadi on Sat May 24, 2008 06:10 AM PDTI love you too :)
Re: Varjavand, Gilani
by Ben Madadi on Sat May 24, 2008 03:08 AM PDTMy dear Varjavand,
You're not right about saying that I enjoy comments (in general, but I do enjoy positive comments), or views. I used to be able to see them but JJ took that ability away :(
I can say this but I don't think you will understand me well. The reason I write things like this is because the Iranian community, Iranians of all kind, are FULL (absolutely full) of what they believe are CERTAINTIES, about their past or present. They have lots of stigma, paranoia and prejudice. Most of what we have been reading in our books and papers have been praising us or giving us all sorts of false impressions about us. And that has been one of the great undoings of our community. I also have some PERSONAL experiences about which I have written more than the fair share, i.e. ethnic issues. So, the reason I write such (controversial) topics is because I try to break this mentality. My writings would have probably been ignored in some other communities.
Dear Gilani,
You know that it's impossible to do a truly thorough analysis in so few words. Of course Iran is not a wasteland but if we do some accounting of the input and output of Iranian regions, all regions except Khuzestan are in deficit and Khuzestan is in a huge surplus. They indeed do not have any serious industry that can compete in the world market, except for carpets and some fruits etc, which would not account for improving much of their deficit. This situation would improve in time if there was a reform through which regions would learn to become competitive, as I also mentioned it would take time, maybe a long time of suffering. All of Iran can do quite well in the future even without oil. I agree with you. But not with the current system of oil-dependency.
In the article I wanted to point out that the belief that foreigners are interested in Iranian regions is paranoia. They may have other reasons too as another comment mentioned?! That's another issue! Even America didn't want to make smaller states out of Iraq. I personally do not believe that any foreign country that would count has any case or desire for disintegrating Iran.
Hopeful for Reconstruction
by Mort Gilani on Fri May 23, 2008 11:46 PM PDTDear Ben,
The partition risk of Iranian territory is more domestic than external. No patriotic Iranian should minimize the threat of nonsensical claims made by Iran’s neighbors, but the real danger lies in the continuation of the dysfunctional Islamic rule that would instill independence in people’s minds as a better alternative to status quo. I sometimes think that the people of Gilan would find a much better quality of life in closer ties with the Russian Federation than a theocratic regime in Tehran.
I totally disagree with you when you say that Iran with the exception of Khuzestan is a wasteland. Caspian provinces, Khorasan and many other parts of the country can feed themselves without oil money. We have fertile soil, various mineral resources including oil, and the people eager for education and work in many parts of Iran. The problem is our sickness from a 30 year old nervous breakdown that has damaged every aspect of a meaningful life in Iran. Most regions in Iran can do well under a functional system.
Regards,
A pebble and a diamond are alike to a blind man
by Anonymous-persis (not verified) on Fri May 23, 2008 11:07 PM PDTBahram Moshiri is right on historical facts and on what the turkish rulers did to Iran and Iranians. Ben Madadi needs to read the history of Iran instead of popping up and writting such a BS. Iran was ruled for the last 1100 years by Turkish rulers starting from Gaznavid-saljugies to Qajars. They killed millions of Iranians and committed many crimes and genocides. Qajars who were a bunch of durg and sex addicts sold a major part of Iran to her neighbors, Savafids coerced Iranians by force and atrocities to Shiaism. The criminal history of Turkish rulers is very long.Iran is a wonderful country and all of its regions are worthy. We Iranians wont forget the Plot for sepration of Azar-Abadegan and Kurdestan in 1950 that pan- turkist Ben Madadi calls them WORTHLESS!!!!!!!!!!!.
Dear Mr. Maddadi: I
by varjavand on Fri May 23, 2008 04:51 PM PDTDear Mr. Maddadi:
I sometime read your articles. While they are well written, they lack levelheaded analyses and are controversial by design, I guess. I don’t undersstand the rationale for discussing such thorny issues on this venue, but I am gassing that you enjoy our comments especially if there many of them which is fine with me. However, if you are seeking to enrich us, this may not be the best way to do it.
Your assertion that the other regions of Iran are (economically) worthless hence not attractive targets for separation is utterly absurd. There are lots of non-economic reasons why a foreign power, especially a superpower, may have interests in dividing a country as another commenter has also rightfully pointed out.
I believe bringing controversial issues to Internet should be done with more watchfulness. Being an educator, I sometimes tell jokes in my classes which I think are funny. However, once one of my students told me; can you please try your jokes on your neighbors first and see why they think before bring them to class.
Please keep writing
Varjavand
Re: Anonymous kourosh
by Ben Madadi on Fri May 23, 2008 03:48 PM PDTThey always come with the local population, and you will need to feed them ;)
First step to separte is to change you name
by shirazie (not verified) on Fri May 23, 2008 03:02 PM PDTBen????
Looks like you have taken the first step to separate
Do not forget to write form Benistan
Worthless iran?
by Anonymous kourosh (not verified) on Fri May 23, 2008 02:42 PM PDTI want all those worthless iranian lands, from the worthless baluchestan to worthless kurdestan, from the worthless azarbayejan to worthless tunb and abu-moosa. I love to swap all my net worth with all those worthless lands. I even welcome their worthless population if they want to. Nobody deserves all those worthless lands as much as I do. I am damn serious about this if you can convince those worthy mullas to give up those worthless lands.
u view Iran as being a worthless region...
by ThePope on Fri May 23, 2008 11:55 AM PDTu view Iran as being a worthless region, apart from khuzestan of course,,,,that is so disrespectful. and on top of it u add that no country, such as Rep.Azerbaijan would even be interested in some of our provinces,,because these regions are plainly worthless??? who cares abt Rep. Azerbaijan, or any other country. Iran is precious and all of its regions are worthy.
ur articles are highly offensive.
Hi Ben Good to read from you
by Anonymous1234 (not verified) on Fri May 23, 2008 11:52 AM PDTHi Ben
Good to read from you again.
Although I agree 100% with Moshiri on history point of view, although he should differentiate between Oghuz/Timurid/Mongols who attacked from Central Asia and Azeris who are Iranians but linguistically Turkified.
But I disagree with your simple analysis.
Herat was only separated from Iran recently. Or even Bahrain. What you are missing in your equation is geopolitical influence from outside. Geopolitical interests from big countries can easily make new countries if it is to their benefits. That is why Iran is surrounded by non-natural countries(Kuwait, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Qatar) who would not have existed had it not been for outside power taking a piece of Iranian or Ottoman empires.
On Kosovo, the issue is not yet settled. Many countries have not recognized and it is always possible that Serbia takes it back. For example say the US follows its course of decline and Russia keeps rising as it is.
So what your article does not touch upon is outside geopolitical influence. Much like the USSR in 1946 and its control of Azerbaijan and Kurdistan:
//www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=140...
So Iran is not afraid of a few Pishevaris, what Iranians are afraid of is when someone like Stalin in 1946 or neocons today want to separate Iran:
//www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=...
//www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GD29Ak01....
//www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2007/...
(Please read the above articles).
It is a game basically. Iran is causing headaches in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan for Western / Oil interests and thus one way to pressure Iran is to pop up fake human rights activists in the west like Miss Fakhteh Zamani who has called Iran, "a so called country" and use bogus statistics on Irans population as well as makeup lies that Azeris or other groups are oppressed. That is Turkey/Azerbaijan who are close friends with Israeli/Brenda Shaffer are activiely working with their lobbyists and etc. to promote disintegration of Iran for geopolitical interests.
So the key missing in your analysis is geopolitical interests.
Have a good weekend.
Re: The Pope
by Ben Madadi on Fri May 23, 2008 11:46 AM PDTIf you listen to that video the caller says "baese badbakhtie Iran tamame in ghabaele Torkan" and the other one says "dorood bar shoma!"
Dear Iranian, tell that to people like that on the video, not me! I agree with you that the vast majority of Iranians, no matter the ethnicity, feel they belong to Iran.
Hey Ben
by ThePope on Thu Jul 03, 2008 04:05 AM PDTand ur articles r not insensitive, hateful and divisive????
and why are those iranian regions u mentioned worthless? Every single region in Iran is precious. And, no one is afraid of seperation,,,,for those who want to leave, the door is open for them to get out of Iran.
and as an azari myself, rest assure that azaris LOVE Iran.
PS Just for the record; this comment is MISTAKENLY under my name. Don't ask...! And I'm not Azari. -ThePope