Right time, wrong man

Ahmadinejad is effortlessly getting all the attention he needs

Balatarin
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Right time, wrong man
by Mohammad Kamaali
29-Apr-2009
 

A day does not pass in Iran's state-controlled media without constant glorification of developments in the country’s ‘home made’ nuclear programme. A vast national project started before the Iranian revolution in the 1970s, and then restarted in late 1980s, like many others, is only now beginning to bear fruit.

While on the international front, Iran remains compliant to its obligations under the NPT, domestically, in many corners, the nuclear project is received rather sceptically.

This scepticism is not sourced in technicalities or as a result of western demands that Iran halts enrichment, but instead in how through masterful exercises in public relations, the government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has turned this costly national project into a key feature of his own image as a courageous leader against bullying powers ganged up to deprive yet another third-world country of its "rights."

Throughout the past eight years while the US and EU have been busy developing and implementing their punitive measures against Iran, ranging from sanctions to threats of annihilation, Ahmadinejad has been gaining more popularity not only inside Iran in a society with a fresh collective memory of its historic failures and recent shortcomings, but also beyond Iran's borders across the Muslim world.

Despite having seen no tangible benefits yet in the development of various nuclear technologies (as opposed to its tangible costs) Iranians at large remain very supportive of this project. This support however is not accidental and is largely down to a monopolised media which lacks dissenting voices and opposing views regarding the costs associated with Iran’s defiance against the west.

One can understand Iran’s sensitivity towards foreign interference in this matter. With a history of betrayal and deceit from the west, few support compromise solutions. However such routine censorship of views opposed to the official narrative, may seem unusual if not seen in context.

Indeed a pattern can be found in how Iran's new status in nearly every field from science to political influence is framed such that it is directly linked by the state media to Ahmadinejad's persona in contrast to his predecessors’ moderate –- read weak -- approach.

As Iran nears its presidential elections, Ahmadinejad's team who were so far acting rather low-profile in gathering support for his second-term, are slowly beginning to make public one of the largest and most coordinated media campaigns in Iran's history. Perhaps interestingly not a single private donor will contribute to this campaign. Nor will Ahmadinejad need any local campaign offices, according to himself. Costly bill-board adverts? Why bother when you have the combined resources of the country's largest newspapers, hours and hours of unchallenged airtime on state TV and radio stations, coupled with analysis that often only adds insult to injury.

This campaign however began quite a while back. That is when Ahmadinejad started distributing cash from Iran's vast oil revenues amongst the more deprived sections of the society. He ignored plans for a comprehensive social security system (which had not materialised in lack of funding) and instead dissolved the “National Office for Planning & Budgeting” and distributed cash to those who attended his provincial meetings or sent him personal pleas for help with rising inflation.

People in villages and small towns who had not once seen a high-ranking official visit them, are suddenly confronted with Mr President who incidentally has a very deep pocket. In the past four years Ahmadinejad and his whole cabinet have travelled to every corner of Iran, not once but twice, to "resolve local issues." Media reports after every trip are littered with numbers of local cases discussed by the cabinet, hours of meetings that took place or the thousands of letters handed to the President accompanied by pictures of locals running after his vehicle in joy and fascination.

He has introduced “Justice Shares” where people are given free shares in state-owned industrial units and get direct payment as profits. But given that few industries are profitable to that extent, these payments are again funded by oil revenues. Further, the so-called shares are of course managed by the government; even though ironically classed as privatisation.

With just over six weeks to presidential elections, Ahmadinejad has not yet announced whether he will run again. But every indication is that he will indeed run for a second term. By leaving everything to the last minute perhaps he is trying to avoid serious debate with other candidates about his four year record.

Meanwhile, every speech that he or his ministers make is nothing short of a campaign speech in a full flare election season. They all follow the same pattern and on the way question not only the policies but also the integrity and patriotism of those before him. His speech on the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution in front of millions in Tehran was a list of several comparisons of what Iran was like in 2005 (not 1979) and what it is like now. Much of the statistics were flawed of course, but what is more damaging is the cocktail of mistrust and suspicion that is injected during his four years in office into Iran's previously clear divisions of power.

There are other presidential candidates that have announced their candidacy along with relatively detailed plans. While they are so far almost completely ignored by state media, Ahmadinejad is effortlessly getting all the attention he needs; plus he has the means to prevent those few activities by his competitors from taking place. Whereas they must fight tooth and nail for donors, his budget is virtually limitless.

Those key figures from across Iran’s political spectrum, who are desperate to get rid of Ahmadinejad have one choice: To run en masse as candidates in order to create a two stage election. If they can prevent him from winning the first round, only then they may be able to attract enough support for a single candidate against Ahmadinejad in the second stage. But with Iran’s supreme leader and officials in charge of managing the elections, openly supporting Ahmadinejad, few can doubt what the next election will bring.

AUTHOR
Mohammad Kamaali is board member of the Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII).

Balatarin
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Jaleho

You're welcome for the LIST of US executions

by Jaleho on Fri May 01, 2009 11:55 AM PDT

That would help you come out of the denial that you seem so affraid of, a bit. Ignorance is not always a bliss.


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anonymous fish

denial

by anonymous fish on Fri May 01, 2009 11:22 AM PDT

anna freud classifies denial as a mechanism of the immature mind, because it conflicts with the ability to learn from and cope with reality.

as best i can see, there are ZERO children on death row.  nor are they executed in secrecy after 11 days of declaring a two-month suspension... NOR are they innocent and railroaded by a criminal regime in flagrent disregard of all true and proud iranians.

get over the racist allegations, will you.  it's old.  it's boring.  it's bullshit.

you have never made it more clear than now how anti-american you really are.  "your" backyard.  "your" neighborhood.  you might live here but you're not american. 

thank god for small favors.


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Jaleho

The LIST of American excutions so far in 2009

by Jaleho on Fri May 01, 2009 10:51 AM PDT

 

//deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions-united-states-2009

Amazing how brainwashed racists, in particular those from southern states, arrogantly criticise others while they are blind to their own savage neighborhood. Maybe they can work a bit to prevent the upcoming executions in their own backyard?

//www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/upcoming-executions


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anonymous fish

i'm so glad to hear that

by anonymous fish on Fri May 01, 2009 10:11 AM PDT

the little villages are being listened to.  who would have thought that the courageous and proud iranians would have wanted the execution of a young woman in the prime of her life.  who could doubt the admiration ahmadinejad and his criminal regime deserves for oppressing the very people they are supposed to represent.  who could doubt the many wonderful things he is doing for iran!!!!

yes.  a good name for iran.


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Manoucher Avaznia

Jaleho Jaan;

by Manoucher Avaznia on Fri May 01, 2009 09:44 AM PDT

Sheep are those who (ba ba konaan) followed the British delegate and left the conference on racism in Geneva without any decision whatsoever of themselves.  Ma'moor and Ma'zoor.  I strongly believe those who have this misconception about Iranians are confusing them with Westerners.  Don't forget that Mosaddegh was called agent, spy, shaky old man, stuborn, and you count it. 


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default

I agree with Jaleho

by H. Molana (not verified) on Fri May 01, 2009 07:28 AM PDT

I am sure Ahmadinejad will be our great leader for the next four years. We have never had a one-term presdient in the Islamic Republic of Iran before so why start now?


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Jaleho

Mehrdad (Bavafa), Manoucher and Mehrnaz

by Jaleho on Fri May 01, 2009 06:40 AM PDT

I agree with your logical arguments. As Mehrdad pointed out, the Iranians en masse will decide the election. Then the fringe elements here  will continue to disrespect Iranians by calling them "sheep" who don't deserve democracy yet! Just like they have been wasting their breath the past 30 years.

And, Ahmadinejad has gone to every little village from the very beginning of his presidency to listen to natives who never have been listened to, or taken care of by high ranking officials. He did this as he had promised, and despite serious assassination attempts against him when he visited uncharted territoris. It is funny that some instead of admiring his outreach, are blaming him for reaching out to rural areas to gain election points?!! Well, if a presidents takes care of poor rural areas, I don't care why he does it, I will applaud him for doing so ;-)

I guess masses in Iran are doing the same, nullifying the delusion of all those who wasted their time calling Ahmadinejad "monkey" and other names, while he was busy doing great things for Iran and making a name internationally by his brave and unique ideals. A bad name as far as Israelis and few western powers in support of nuclear appartheid were concerned, and a good name among the other 4 billion of the earth's population!

Amazing how losers never admit that they might have been wrong in their estimation, they have to find a way to put down a winner, AND WHINE.


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default

Another Irooni

by Irooni in OR (not verified) on Thu Apr 30, 2009 02:51 PM PDT

please go check his home page and you will know that I am right.


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Manoucher Avaznia

Balanced and well put

by Manoucher Avaznia on Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:42 PM PDT

Balanced and well put points, however I do not believe creating pulbic image in the media will be the only factor to work in favor of a certain candidate.  In the last election Rafsanjanee received way more coverage than unknown Ahmadinezhaad, leave alone that Iranians knew him since 1357, and he lost the election to the latter by a large margin. I put more weight on this point of yours that Ahmadeenezhaad's pupolistic policies, especially in foreign relations and mixing with those people who live a poor life-style, are the most effective contributing factors to his possible re-election.

 

Thanks


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Bavafa

To: Another Irooni

by Bavafa on Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:34 AM PDT

Sorry for butting in but I don't believe this is being said here. If you do follow Fred's posting, you will see a trend that he has one theme, goal and/or agenda and often regardless of what the subject at hand is. Often labeling who ever dare saying any thing against the racist Zionist and denouncing Iran. I have personally boycotted his posting and will not read or respond to his comments, not because he is pro-Israel or anti IRI but because he lacks logic and it is just propagandist

Mehrdad


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default

To NAJA: Who is the FOOL?

by Another Irooni (not verified) on Thu Apr 30, 2009 09:49 AM PDT

Are you saying that whoever is anti mullahcracy, theocracy and velayet e faghih is automatically pro-Israel?

safsatehbaazi ham haddi dareh ...


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default

who is the propagandist?

by Irooni in OR (not verified) on Thu Apr 30, 2009 08:16 AM PDT

Dear Fred, isn't the pot calling the kettle black?

Your entire existence on Iranian.com is about bombarding this community with pro Israel news. You never comment on anything except to attack an individual. Don't think you are fooling anybody. Please get a life!


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Fred

CASMII lobbyist Uk

by Fred on Thu Apr 30, 2009 02:09 AM PDT

CASMII UK lobbyist completing her U.S. coworker's propaganda piece by going to the heart of their lobby's aim, a nuke packing Islamist republic:

"I believe it is more the case that because of the politicisation of the issue, people may not know enough about the crucial necessity for the development of Iran's nuclear programme and independent production of nuclear energy. "


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default

Right man, Right time,

by lawnmower (not verified) on Thu Apr 30, 2009 01:44 AM PDT

Things happen exactly the way they are supposed to happen.

I do hope Ahmadinejad is re-elected. His re-election will expedite the IRI's implosion in the long run.

Please go vote for Ahmadinejad!


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MEHRNAZ SHAHABI

Do they know the cost of surrender?

by MEHRNAZ SHAHABI on Thu Apr 30, 2009 09:03 AM PDT

"Despite having seen no tangible benefits yet in the development of various nuclear technologies (as opposed to its tangible costs) Iranians at large remain very supportive of this project. This support however is not accidental and is largely down to a monopolised media which lacks dissenting voices and opposing views regarding the costs associated with Iran’s defiance against the west".  

Mohammad, I am not disputing that the vices and virtues of the nuclear programme is not freely discussed in the media.   However, in relation to "tangible benefits" as opposed to "tangible costs", Iran has been developing its programme against all odds, in the face of technological, political and economic sanctions.  The programme is not at the stage to yield for Iranians to see its benefits.  However, as you are aware, credible studies have demonstrated not only Iran's specific need for alternative energy sources, but also the fact that nuclear energy remains the only viable energy alternative globally.  

As regards the question of associated costs for defying the West,  you are right, they are not being discussed freely.  But people can't miss what happened to Iraq and what is happening to Palestinians, neither can they ignore the effects of economic isolation and poverty, no matter how issues may be packaged and presented in patriotic colours.  Also it is the case that discussion on nuclear programme is not limited to what is dished out by the controlled media.  As with many other issues, people are exposed to the opposing views from many other channels, internet etc, and think about and discuss them.  There is no doubt that conditions of poverty and insecurity strengthened by sanctions undermine people's engagement with matters beyond meeting their basic needs.  

The question of open discussion is a very tricky one, anyway.  Do people in the West make informed judgments about wars they enter into, sanctions they impose, weapons they develop, sell and deploy, based on what is being discussed in their 'free' media?  I am not comparing the controlled media in Iran with the 'free' media of the West.  However, whereas in the West the corporate media and the pressure of very powerful lobbies on  state media, substantially control the news and analyses, in Iran,  control of the media and propaganda are transparent!  So monopoly of news and views and propaganda is not specific to Iran.  

I believe it is more the case that because of the politicisation of the issue, people may not know enough about the crucial necessity for the development of Iran's nuclear programme and independent production of nuclear energy. 

Kind regards. 

 


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MEHRNAZ SHAHABI

Meehan?! Iranian?!! Caught on the act!

by MEHRNAZ SHAHABI on Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:12 AM PDT

Why pretend you are Iranian, and a patriot at that?!!!   You don't know a rat's arse about the region and its history and you sneak into this site, to influence us with your below the belt pronouncement? What is YOUR "peaceful" agenda?

"Milltant Islamists such as Ahmadinejad and his like are NOT anti-Semetic. For they too are Semites".   

You still don't get it, you fool, do you?

 


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default

baseless claims

by Dariush (not verified) on Wed Apr 29, 2009 07:53 PM PDT

Ahmadinejad is in the news because he is making the news. After all he is the president. Who is in the news in America? Obama. Does that mean he is controlling the news? NO. Reporters follow them for news, not the other way around.

Ahmadinejad doesn't even have enough power to free his appointee, the individual who investigated and exposed the criminals in IRI, let alone controlling the media or else.

No one is perfect. Under these circumstances, Ahmadinejad and his cabinet has done a very good job defending Iran's international rights and uniting other countries against western and Israeli aggression. He just needed to do much better inside Iran for political prisoners, minorities, women's rights and all others, but he doesn't seem to be trying hard in those ares. He should have also taken charge and brought the criminals in and out of the list to justice.


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default

Ahmadi Nejad is a Jihadist

by Meehan (not verified) on Wed Apr 29, 2009 05:18 PM PDT

Re the Islamic Republic of Iran terrorist entity i,e Ahmadinejad and Mullahs ,while many Muslims may have no interest in killing non-Muslims, the reality is that Islam is a totalitarian sect that forces its members to become combatants. The Koran dictates that non-Muslims and non-violent muslims be massacred. So-called 'moderates' who do not agree with this objective can be killed by their "religious" leaders if they stand in their way. The issue here isn't about how many Muslims are good or moderate--it's that Islam forces Muslims to do terrible things.

I think its time for the world to wake up and realise that the Terrorist Islamic Republic entity IS the
current biggest threat to the world.

Only a couple of points I need to cover with you here.

Milltant Islamists such as Ahmadinejad and his like are NOT anti-Semetic. For they too are Semites. They are anti-nonMuslims and Anti-nonviolent muslims. They hate anything non-Muslim and because they have been brainwashed from birth, and not given the choice to try other belief systems, they will NEVER be a moderate or modern society.

It is well documented that Islam does NOT mean 'peaceful' in any sense of the word! Islam means 'submission' and that refers to ANYONE who does not agree with its teachings.
Any right thinking person would always prefer peace to submission to faith in a religion that demands murdering anyone who does not agree to its tenets as laid down in the Koran.
In my own estimation, most people prefer to honour and value life, whether believing in a Creator or not. Murder is a despicable act that neither respects or honors, the differences in our outlook. For every single murdered person, there will be thousands more willing to live peaceful lives.


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default

Ahmadinejad is the best candidate

by NotIntoPolitic (not verified) on Wed Apr 29, 2009 03:57 PM PDT

Why? He is supported quite heavily by the hard-liners but he is not a very stupid person. He is actually quite educated and he is willing to learn and change his ways. Despite the heavy propaganda against him he has done quite well actually, considering all aspects and not being ultra-unrealistic. The important thing is that when he concedes on an issue, the whole hard-liner concedes with him because they know that is the end. But if they pick a more moderate person, every time he fails, the hardliners will blame it on softness of the guy and want to try their way anyway. I think he is the best for the job, especially considering his opposition. His opposition may be nice people but not strong and supported enough to actually accomplish anything.


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Bavafa

Like it or not, It is an

by Bavafa on Wed Apr 29, 2009 02:05 PM PDT

Like it or not, It is an election and it is all up to the Iranian people who they elect. They have the choice of not voting at all, if they are totally dissatisfied with the system but if they do vote, you ought to accept and respect it. After all, we had a clown for 8 years in this country that didn't even have the vote of majority and people accepted him. So, put your money where your mouth is, go and vote or quite nagging.

Mehrdad


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default

To Maryam: Don't waste your time questionning these folks

by Reality sucks (not verified) on Wed Apr 29, 2009 01:59 PM PDT

This site is filled with IRI lovers and lackeys in various disguises.


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capt_ayhab

Thanks to the Clowns

by capt_ayhab on Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:32 PM PDT

Thanks to the Clowns in Durban II, he returned home as a hero.

I am afraid that the masquerade that was created in Durban II will get the monkey elected. That would be a total shame if he gets another 4 years in the office.

 

-YT


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default

don't misunderestimate: CAMPAIGNING WORKS!

by Anonymous8 (not verified) on Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:35 AM PDT

good points mohammad. but don't forget that campaigning works and has worked before. north Tehran may be sick of MA, but not the rural poor that he visits CONSTANTLY these people love him and will reelect him at this rate. I see nothing from reformists to fight this.


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Abarmard

Maryam Hojjat

by Abarmard on Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:29 AM PDT

All the candidates get the same amount of time during the campaigning interview. If you are talking about him being on the news and TV, well he is the president and normally incumbents have the visibility advantage.

Interesting article, thanks


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Foaad Khosmood

Thanks for the excellent analysis Mohammad

by Foaad Khosmood on Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:26 AM PDT

-foaad


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Maryam Hojjat

Is this called ELECTION?

by Maryam Hojjat on Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:01 AM PDT

a show running by one person with all state media.

Down with IRI


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