A Plea to the Iranian Opposition Abroad

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divaneh
by divaneh
08-Jul-2011
 

The cruelty and lack of human rights in Iran has brought me to the point of explosion and I know well that I am not the only one. Unfortunately none of our opposition parties seems to be able to handle explosives.

We get angry and we get upset and we just watch and wait. From time to time someone writes a blog and accuse the rest of the keyboard warriors of being inactive chelo kabab lovers who do nothing for their homeland. I don’t think that I am the only one who finds those bloggers immature and unrealistic. Nevertheless to ignore our responsibilities as more fortunate members of a society that suffers the brutalities of an inhumane regime is nothing but selfishness.

No need to say that power is in numbers and none of us can do anything of real value single handedly. This is a task for an organisation and that is in my view where we have our weakest link. We seem to lack an organisation who can tap, lead and manage all the potential energy.

In a recent exchange with Masoud Kazemzadeh I asked him if Jebhe Melli and INF-Abroad did anything more than releasing statements and was informed of a few actions in the last few years. Now I like to know if any other group or party had a practical plan to help leading Iran out of this quagmire.

At the time that we need the unity more than ever before to help pave the way for democratic changes in Iran, there are undemocratic groups such as Monarchists, MEK and Democratic Islamists (whatever it is or whatever they call themselves) who do not appreciate that appointing people to the future positions or devising exclusive policies will only help to divide and disincentivize the opposition and ultimately help the ruling Mafia. All we see from these groups are constant bickering of each other that has left us bereft of a single valuable political entity to assume the vacant post of the leader of the opposition.

In absence of a real opposition who cares for the future of Iran, we witness conferences such as the one that was recently organised in London by Alireza Nourizadeh and was supported by Saudi Arabia where disintegration of Iran was discussed under the guise of plans for a federal Iran. Where are the papers of a conference that is discussing the future of our country by self-appointed few behind closed doors?

Recently China and Russia voted against appointing a Human Rights Special Rapporteur for Iran in direct contradiction to Iranian people’s human rights. Which of the opposition political groups took or planned actions against these enemies of the Iranian people?

My plea to the Iranian opposition groups is to play their historical roles, to unite and to reach Iranian diaspora for help. Statements, silent demonstrations and videos will not do the job. That is just preaching to the converted. Enough have been said, we now need a plan of action. We must challenge the supporters of the ruling Mafia, most notably Russia and China to change their policies. We must support oppositions in China, Russia, Venezuela, Syria and any other country who is the partner in the crimes against the Iranian people.  We must reach those countries who class themselves as friends of Iran such as Turkey and India to be the true friends of the Iranian people (and not just friends of its government) in this moment of need, review their policies and push for democratic reforms in Iran.  This is in my view where we can most effectively help the change in Iran. This is one duty that we are better placed to fulfil than our people inside the country. That is where you can take advantage of our untapped energies.  Lead the way with a clear vision and a good plan and we support you.

Now, do we today have the right organisation to lead us or do we have to create it?

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more from divaneh
 
Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Dear Divaneh

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I am pretty much with you. Except I have been saying I am willing to give up oild for freedom. I rather be free without oil than enslaved without oil. They are going to steal it and have been doing so. Therefore at least for the time being I say let them take it and leave us alone. In time we will have wealth far beyond oil. None of the great Iranian periods were built on oil. We have been chasing an illusion if we think oil is going help us.


divaneh

Dear VPK

by divaneh on

I agree with Oktaby too and hope more people cross the debate stage and lend their support to some actions. Currently only a few people seem to be interested. 

With respect to countries and self interest, I would like to take that further and say that everyone acts in self interest. Muggers and rapists also act in self interest but their interest is very harmful to you. You cannot negotiate with Chinese, Russians or any other country who is stealing our wealth, in the very same way that you cannot negotiate with a mugger or a rapist. They have illegitimate demands. There is only one way, and that is to stand up and fight back until they withdraw their support for dictatorship in Iran. Look here to see why China and Russia support the dictators. This is only one example.

//www.melliun.org/simayenezam/s11/07/17manabe.htm


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Rea

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I want to know why the alliance is unholy. Both nations need each other. Armenia has been having relations with Iran for 3000+ years. It sounds pretty wholesome to me. There is nothing bad about it. In the genocide Iran saved hundreds of thousands of Armenians by letting them migrate into Iran. They are still there by 100 of thousands. Although many moved after revolution.


Rea

"Nations act in self interest"

by Rea on

Very true, VPK.   

As for Armenia, good point. Have often wondered about that unholy alliance. Yet, it's rather simple.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Oktaby is right

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I agree and will donate to his plan. To me any group may be worked with except MKO. In fact even MKO former members as individuals may be of help.  AIPAC is neither an ally nor an enemy. They just want what is good for them. We need to deal with them from a position of strength. Iranian political muscle must be developed. So far the only "muscle" is MKO and NIAC. We need another one which represents most of us.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Responses

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

I have a few points to make:

  • There are no friends or enemies in general. Nations act in self interest. We should look at each based on their interestes not ours.
  • China is opposed to spearetism no matter what. On that they may be allies. They do not want the precedent. They will also work with any Iranian government. To them human rights mean nothing.
  • Turkey is also opposed to separetism. Despite pan Turkism their government does not want it. They fear Kurds would want their own nation. Therefore they may be counted to oppose separetism.
  • Armenia needs Iran. They don't care if it is run by IRI or a nationalist regime. We are their only reliable access to outside. Surrounded by enemies they find a friend in Iran. We should work with them. Armenians do not want a disintegrated Iran. They fear pan Turkism because it will cut them off. While Azarbyejan is Iranian they have land access. Hence their friendship.
  • Oil is not our friend and we should compromise on it. If giving way some of the oil means freedom: do it! The oil thing brought down Mossadegh and Shah. I rather trade it for support.

vildemose

The Oil sucking dragon

by vildemose on

The Oil sucking dragon sounds fantastic... We need to make a big one...We need artists and graphic designers to help us come up with images that will convery our message to the Chinese authroities..


divaneh

Very good idea Vildemose

by divaneh on

Perhaps we should also bring in some big dragons (some of those that Chinese use in their celebrations) and show everyone that it is a blood sucking, oil plundering dragon.

We can also set up a site and publish all Chinese crimes against humanity and call it ChinaCrimes.com or ChinaKills.com (both available) or anything else. We can then advertise the site wherever people want to learn about China, such as tourists who search information.

We must also have a demand. We must ask China for a statement on human rights in Iran and what weight has been given to such rights in its business dealings with Iran.


vildemose

Divaneh: How about

by vildemose on

Divaneh: How about protesting in front of the Chinese embassy in our respective countries???


divaneh

Dear Rea

by divaneh on

I could not attend the conference as it was behind the closed doors and by invitations only.

They can reach a wider audience because Nourizadeh has been there for a long time, appears in the VOA every week and is a regular guest in Al Arabiya. Some of those who were invited to build credibility for the conference saw the hidden hand of the House of Saud, made excuses and did not attend.

 


divaneh

Helping the change in Iran

by divaneh on

I agree that talk may make us feel good or may let us release some steam but creates no results whatsoever. I salute those who are already doing something and I think more of us have to get involved and help complementing each other.

I also agree that it takes time and effort and that the aim has to be justice and democracy for Iran under any type of government that people choose.

I am glad that through our discussions we have proved that the financial support, commitment and energy exists in Iranians abroad and opposition groups just have to ask for support with a good plan.

I have been thinking further about this and I think whilst we are trying to build support and numbers, we can also be creative and propose some actions that may resonate with different groups. For example as China provides a life line for the ruling Mafia and is ignorant of human rights in Iran, we can design a creative activity to embarrass Chinese, or to woe their support for the cause of human rights and Justice in Iran without embarrassing them. We can then reach to different opposition groups and ask them to support the action. That would hopefully generate some publicity and get us more support from like minded people. I hope people can propose other actions with general support. Any small manageable task that can add 1 horse power to the momentum of change in Iran is welcome.


Rea

Thx, divaneh

by Rea on

Using Google translator I got a gist of it. Otherwise, tried myself to find some info, hélas, nothing has been reported on that conference in the languages I speak.  

As for Nourizadeh, he seems to get some publicity as Director of the Centre for Arab and Iranian Studies. Their site is down but his is not :

wn.com/Alireza_Nourizadeh

Now, the question is how do they manage to get these people and/or organisations at conferences they organize ? How do they manage to get their opinions heard by a wider audience, and not just virtually ?

Is it really just a question of funding ?

PS. from what I get you live in the UK, right? You could've gone to that conference, confront them n ask some embarassing questions. Firstly, we would've known what had been said there. And secondly, you would've been listed as Iranian of the Day. ;o)


Faramarz

We are on the same page Oktaby

by Faramarz on

Thanks.


oktaby

Faramarz

by oktaby on

I have posted many of these videos (and not just IC) and revealed in early days what was going on. See my posts from July 2009. I have also blogged about what it takes and the confused Gandhi style blind pacifism. Guns will be (not may be) part of putting the last nail in the coffin of these bastards. But that is not the conversation here. Most comments are not addressing the question but grand standing and editorializing.

I also did not suggest you asked for cavalry or question your motives and angle. I questioned your overall analysis.

Oktaby


vildemose

More brutality by the IRI in the aftermath of fradulent election

by vildemose on


Faramarz

Oktaby

by Faramarz on

 


I am not asking for the cavalry to come in and save the day. But the Iranians should expect the international community to help them so that they could be able to fight a “fair fight”.

This video was shot right after the June 2009 protests. It shows how Basij and police went to a building and floor by floor destroyed it. At 6:00-7:00, a guy on the roof is showing all the damages and then says, “We need to be armed to defend ourselves”.

You and I would have probably said the same thing if our homes and loved ones were attacked like this.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEKR-NdVTMs&playnex...


oktaby

Focus

by oktaby on

is often harder than it seems.

As mentioned about your question to MK, talk and slogans are currency of the day.

UAE and China cannot on their best day replace Iran's oil. IRI is not going anywhere despite infighting and a foreign intervention by definition will take us a step backward. Sanctions are having an effect but leaky for past 32 years and no reason to assume different now. U.S. and allies want islamist light not getting rid of IRI. China won't give up lucrative trade along with rest of its foothold in West/Central Asia and very clear about that in various formal statements. HR orgs have managed a few victories but nothing that changes anything. Situation in Iran is isdesperate; recently studend leaders commented they have halted protests because people do not seem to rise with them. In short rosy color is only that. Strong oil is giving more breathing room to the rapist regime that as it executes more and tightens the screws and segregates universities, has started a new game with Khatami et al....

So projecting victory coming with cavalry at the ready, as Faramarz does, with all due respect, is wishful thinking not a reflection of reality on the ground. Certainly 'shining a light on demands of Iranian people' sounds good but by what means and effect seems to be left unanswered, what steps "we" take to effect and support also seems left open, so we end up with: nothing.

Now to your question. Specifically, such org will work on changing attitudes and mindsets per earlier comments. One that motivates and educates people to take ownership and takes specific actions. To materially support aspirations most of us share: free elections and rights resulting in whatever form government that upholds those rights allowing Iranians to taste normalcy again.

It cannot, no org can, change things overnight. It will take time, money, blood and sweat which had we spared in past 32, we would not be having this conversation now. Putting the effort is an individual choice and does not guarantee success but certainly is much more respectable and credible than talking. I reiterate 80/20. divaneh, let's see if we can find the proverbial horses, then we can work on the rest; otherwise this is like ----. Talking heads are dime a dozen.

Oktaby


Shazde Asdola Mirza

"keep shining the light on the situation in Iran"

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on

Well said Faramarz, dear.

As for the rest of it ... good luck, especially with "stay united".

Kidding aside, I believe that we should only support what the Iranian people decide to do on their own free will ... be it Green, Red, Yellow or Black. It is their freedom of choice that is important - not what they choose with open eyes and ears, free from pressure and fascist tactics.

In terms of opposition, we should support the rights of all opposition groups to freedom of speech and freedom from persecution ... as long as they avoid any action against basic Human Rights and International Law.

This is 2 for 2, for the cool cat's Toe in the Water. Can't wait for more of that Consultant Wisdom flowing this way!


Anahid Hojjati

Faramarz

by Anahid Hojjati on

Thanks Faramarz for your comment.  They are indeed boxed in.


divaneh

Dear Faramarz

by divaneh on

Thanks for lighting up my day. I needed someone to remind me of these positive recent developments. I still however think that the Iranian opposition abroad could do more, especially when it comes to foreign forces such as China and Russia.

The regime will not for sure leave without a fight but I hope we don't see the Libyan situation in Iran. We do not have the tribal structure of Libya and my hope is that in such situations where people are in street facing the tanks, the armed forces would join the nation. I don't think any third country would go through the cost of waging a war without some long term plans. This is a difficult thing to say, but losing a 1000 more in an internal struggle like Syria is far better than losing hundreds of thousands in a war like Iraq. No army can kill its own people with the same brutality of foreign forces.

 


Faramarz

The Future is Here

by Faramarz on

Divaneh Aziz,

The state of the opposition to the Regime is actually very hopeful. But I agree that we need to do more.

The sanctions are working. India can no longer buy Iranian oil and pay for it through its banks. The Regime’s ships cannot enter most harbors in the world. The Regime’s heads are all barred from entering most places in the world. Iran Air cannot fly to many places. The Regime is totally boxed-in and like a caged animal is roaring by threatening the Region with its missiles.

The opposition is alive and well on the streets and in Evin prison. And unlike Iraq, we don’t need to rely on the likes of Chalabi, Alavi or Halabi! The human rights institutions and democratic organizations and press are there and in hiding.

All that needs to take place at this point is for those of us in the West to keep shining the light on the situation in Iran and stay united and respond to the calls of assistance from inside Iran.

The first thing that needs to happen is for China to move away from its business dealings, especially oil and gas from the Regime. Saudi Arabia and UAE are already ready to step in and fill the gap. The NATO’s involvement in Libya and the covert assistance by the West in Syria are both indicators that the West is ready to step in if any of these Regimes is going to massacre its population by using military force. At some point, when Iranian people are on the streets and are faced with tanks and helicopters, and ask for help to make their confrontation with the Regime a “fair fight”. We should be ready to step in and help. This regime is not reformable and will not leave quietly like Ben-Ali or Mubarak.


divaneh

Dear Vildemose

by divaneh on

The conference calls were suggested by Oktaby and as you said will be set up when they are needed. I don't think writing the mission statement would be the job of one person. I suggested that we need to research (unless we have the knowledge already) and find out what divide the opposition and what can hold them together. To me it looks like a marketing project to define the characteristics of the product. I am like you, at the present everything is hazy and difficult to see where to start, but am sure where there is a will there is a way. Oktaby seems to have a better grasp as he already has defined the timelines and may have the initial plans in his mind. I think at this stage perhaps we need to gather more support.


vildemose

Divaneh jan: Could you write

by vildemose on

Divaneh jan: Could you write your mission statement and goals of this group. I'm still very much confused. What are we to accomplish by setting up these conference calls and what issues should be discussed in the conference calls? Thanks.


divaneh

Dear Oktaby and Vildemose

by divaneh on

The good news is that some of us want to move from words to action and this is the first testbed to see how much support there is for such actions.

I am quite happy with conference calls and any other method of communication that you guys see as appropriate. As I have already stated, I don't know how we go about setting up a foundation. Perhaps we need to do some research on what keeping the opposition divided and use that for setting up a foundation that overcome those hurdles. Like Oktaby I am not interested in putting time and effort into re-inventing the wheel. It needs to fill a gap and help bringing everyone together without having any exaggerated claim. I feel it needs to be more of an enabler and a go-between. Thanks to the history of Iranians struggle for democracy there are established parties and organisations that can take this struggle forward. We just need as grass root to help creating the linkage between them. I think there are organisations like JM or people like RP to whom we can write and seek advice.

 


vildemose

Divaneh jan: I wait for

by vildemose on

Divaneh jan: I wait for your response since this is your blog.

 


oktaby

vildemose

by oktaby on

 I am not forming any organization. Did not initiate it. Nor am sure it will take off just yet. I simply responded with an idea to divaneh's heart felt plea. I suggest you read my comments a bit more deliberately before asking knee jerk and cliche questions which are putting the cart before the horse.

Oktaby


vildemose

Oktaby: As I said before,

by vildemose on

Oktaby: As I said before, What is your intention of organizing this group of horses who can run??


oktaby

divaneh

by oktaby on

so far we have 3 members and $2000+. Not bad at all. Let's see how many contributors we get. Then we get off IC and start talking like real people. On conference calls with voice, personality and intelligence. We can discuss your questions.

It is about individuals at this point and organization they form not the connections. As for connecting with other groups, at this point in time I see little value in that. They are mostly dogmatic, self centered and detached from the youth in Iran whose main goals are not ideological but sociopolitical and post- group politics. Most do not wield much power or influence to begin with. When they do, it is not necessarily with the right crowds (age or 'cleanliness'). We deal with them just like we might with others in the future. From a position of strength. Then they'll flock; They always do.

 

vildemose jaan, you are running. The questions you are asking and groups you are volunteering have little to do with this conversation. At least with what I'm saying and certainly at this stage. Lets not rush. This is a not a problem to be solved overnight. I personally have no interest or time to form another group to do another 'me too' project. Lets see if we can line up some horses who are capable of running a mile and quarter first.At this stage we need those who can put their blood and sweat where their mouths are. Then when they speak, we know it is not just hot air, that has an abundance of supply and material.

Oktaby


Roozbeh_Gilani

Right on Oktaby....

by Roozbeh_Gilani on

 I liked your response very much. As I said I like your ideas.

Now time for me to get out and get some exercise done. It is absolutely gorgeous out there today. A nice weekend to all of you friends here 

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."


vildemose

Groups we need to

by vildemose on

Groups we need to contact:

AIPAC

NIAC

MKO

Saltant talaban

CASMII

Jebeh Melli

Islamist democrats (reformers who are outside of Iran)

US Congress

ETC.