MM

the grants that NIAC is

the grants that NIAC is receiving to promote freedom in Iran...

To promote freedom in Iran. Yeah, sure.

Mehrdad

In the videos of Dai's interview with Andisheh (F. Forouzandeh), Forouzandeh showed documents that showed Dai's brother was a high ranking MKO member.  Also see,

Who Is Hassan Daioleslam?

The controversy goes back to the days that representative Bob Ney, who speaks Farsi, made a niche for himself in the congress by tackling Iranian issues.  MKO courted Ney to find a base in the congress.  Ney contacted Trita and he told Ney who MKO really is, and Ney dropped MKO.  Since then, MKO has been on Trita's throat (see part 3 of videos above).  Then, Dai was manipulated by other factions towards their goals. 

We now know (See below links) that because of the close relationship of NIAC with the White House, and the grants that NIAC is receiving to promote freedom in Iran, the conservative voices in Washington Times just last week attacked VOA who brought Trita on-air, See:

Washington Time article

VOA response to the Washington Time article

NIAC response to the Washington Time article

If everyone is correct here, the next thing you will see is someone accusing NIAC of being a double agent for IRI and the US.  I bet you! 

Can some one please

Can some one please enlighten me about Aghye Hassan Dai

Is he actually a comedian or this is meant to be for real? This question is meant to be serious as I am really puzzled.

Mehrdad

Here's Hassan Dai's interview with Andisheh

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIYyuSxNFnM

Jamshid - you are entitled to your opinion

To me, it sure looks like guilt by association, and Dai looking for instructions.

Thank you very much, sir.

MM

I looked at your link and at the emails at the bottom. What I see is an exchange of emails between Trita and Siamak Namazi on one hand, and on the other, between Daeei and Timmerman. It sure looks like the Daeei side is trying to expose NIAC's links to Namazi, what is so bad about it? If there is something wrong with it, then why there is nothing wrong with Trita's link to Namazi?

Jamshid - take a look

Take a look at the court filing from oct 2009

//www.foreignpolicy.com/images/091113_Protective_order_Oct_30.pdf

The plaintiff's exhibits on pages 18-22 (emails) from the above court filing are very light reading, but very telling on the relationship between Hassan Dai and Kenneth Timmerman.

In addition, in the videos, other documents were shown by F. Forouzandeh, the TV personality on Andisheh TV.

....................................

As I told Masoud in a different blog:

"I will not accept accusations without evidence, neither will accept guilt by association.  And, I hope you do not either.  Otherwise, we are no better than IRI who has made an art out of character assassinations via false accusations and guilt by associations.  Thank you. "

MM

No, I am saying the emails in the video clips could have been made by anyone. Now, if these are the same emails that are used in the court proceedings and are for real, then shouldn't the vidoe clips have at least a reference to this and say so?

Jamshid, are u saying NIAC gave forged documents to court?

.

MM, are you serious?

"The videos contain interesting emails/documents on how Dai was instructed on what to say/write as well as Dai’s emails to the neo-cons asking for help in editing and correcting his articles in order to connect NIAC to IRI."

Are you kidding? Anyone with a minimum amount of computer knowledge could create the same kind of screenshots using a simple program, and therefore expose an email exchange between Elvis Presley and Khomeini as proof that they are both still alive!

MM, you know better than this. Support NIAC, but leave some room for doubt too, not just with regards to NIAC, but to anyone out there in the world of politics.

Hassan Daioleslam Interview on Andisheh TV

The videos of Hassan Daioleslam Interview on Andisheh TV are on TouTube now. In addition to the documents presented by F. Forouzandeh, there are extra bonus color commentaries in the 3 videos, probably by a NIAC supporter, to expose Dai's connection to the neo-cons, AIPAC and the MKO. The videos contain interesting emails/documents on how Dai was instructed on what to say/write as well as Dai’s emails to the neo-cons asking for help in editing and correcting his articles in order to connect NIAC to IRI.

Abridged Hassan Daioleslam Interview - Andisheh TV 1 of 3

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8x0ZUwR2u4

Abridged Hassan Daioleslam

Interview - Andisheh TV 2 of 3

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIYyuSxNFnM

Abridged Hassan Daioleslam Interview - Andisheh TV 3 of 3

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkP5b3aw-l0

Thanks marcopolo

But I think it just doesn't want to work for me. I'll try it in Gavazn blog anyway. 

Ahura

I sorta agree that the goal should be a democratic government and not just a regime change.  While it is difficult to imagine if Iran could do any worst than IRI, but we could be surprised (cf., the corrupt secular Kyrgyz government that just fell).  But, Trita clearly said that at the end of the day, having a Velayat-e Faghih and democracy were incompatible, meaning that VF (the foundation of IRI) needs to be eliminated no matter what type of democratic government takes foot.

Having a common goal such as a democratic government would also allow different opposition factions (seculars, monarchists, jebhe melli, etc.) to come together and form an interim force without pooh-poohing each other.

Trita Parsi for Reform not Regime Change

It is quite clear that Dr. Trita Parsi is committed to normalizing the relations between US and Islamic Republic of Iran under the banner of NIAC. He cannot even say “regime change” and he rephrases it as incompatibility of IRI constitution and democracy, and continues with his position that achieving democracy in Iran has many ways not only limited to regime change. He claims to advocate the position of NIAC members, the largest organized Iranian group in USA. Since the situation in Iran has changed drastically in the past few months I suggest that NIAC ask its members on the regime change and publish the result. It would be also useful to poll all Iranian residents of USA on this issue to see what the community wants. Meanwhile those of us who think that there is no possibility of IRI constitution being reformed to a secular democratic one should continue to voice our objection to Dr. Trita Parsi’s influence peddling for US policies that legitimizes and supports IRI dictatorship in Iran.

On a positive note I found Dr. Trita Parsi a sincere and amiable person who expressed himself honestly and friendly throughout the long and arduous interview.

Daei is a MKO agent in bed with Neocons

The entire "arguments" of Daei is based on Bob Bay being a friend of TP. Nay was a firm supporter of the MKO (like Senator Robert Torichelli of New Jersey). But, TP changed Nay's mind about MKO. Three years ago, a list was published of all the front companies and individuals that support MKO. If one compares the list with those who had contributed to Nay's campaign, one would find that a great majority had contributed. So, as someone said here, not only MKO lost Nay (who is in jail now, anyway), but also that TP advocates positions opposite of the MKO.

After TP appeared in Forouzandeh's program, which was after Daei had appeared in the same program, Daei angrily declared that, "If I had known that Trita Parsi will come to the same program, I would not have participated in it." You see, this guy wants a monologue. He speaks and no one else responds. Monarchist TV give him this opportunity, and he has this idea that everyone else should be the same way!

In the same program with Forouzandeh, Daei declared his readiness to debate with another critics of his. The critic said that he was ready, but when Daei was invited to come to the program, he never ever responded.

Daei has had close relations with,

1. Michael Rubin, the neocon warmonger at AEI who was instrumental in advocating war against Iraq and after invasion worked at the Pentagon and was a special advisor to L. Paul Brenner, the US pro-consul in Iraq. In one e-mail to Daei, Rubin tells him how to write his articles!

2. Daniel Pipes, the famous Islamophobe who has an organization that watches professors on campuses for their criticisms of Israel. It was Pipes that arranged for Daei to meet lawyers for Middle East Forum, another pro-Israel organization to defend him pro-bono.

3. Kenneth Timmerman, the man who has made a career out of being anti-Iran.

All of Daei's rants were published in the Frontpage magazine, the pro-Israel publication 2-3 years ago. Google search "the Oil Mafia in Iran" and you will find it.

When asked by Forouzandeh why he has published his "articles" in neocons and pro-Israel websites and publications, he responded that, " I sent them to Antiwar.com, and they did not publish it. I wanted to publish them on HuffPost, but they did not take them."

Assuming that he is telling the truth, I would say, well, Antiwar.com is ANTI WAR, hello! Not pro-war, the way Daei is! In addition, they publish articles by some of the best analysts on both right and left, so long as they are antiwar.

HuffPost does not publish rants either.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of TP and NIAC, Daei is nothing but a puppet of the MKO and tool in the hands of the neocons. He advocates tough economic sanctions - economic warfare - that will eventually lead to military war. In the Forouzandeh program he declared that, "sanctions are bad, but this is the price that the Iranian people are ready to pay." Who gave him the mission to speak on behalf of Iranian people?

Daei also lies about his past. He says, for example, that he worked with Freedom Movement in Europe, but the FM has not existed in Europe since the 1979 revolution. In fact, he was working with Rajavi there. Former top guys of the MOK that  separated their way from MKO have confirmed this.

So, the idea that some people actually believe such a charlatan is truly astonishing. Be a critic of TP if you want, but do not support Daei and his rants. Beware of who is helping him and why.

Mammad

MM ,FYI

MM I think marco meant lobby ......

Please check iranianlobby.com and decide for yourself

It's a real bad world specially for Iran parastan in diaspora.   Maziar

masoudA

great, keep proving my point...

Lol Mousir & Piaz

Do you even have something to say?    It is pathetic how you think you can over-ride logical arguments with herding, sarcastic remarks, humor,........This is the inetrnet - what you see in Iehran streets does not workk in inernet forums.   Just because several of you herd-up in a thread - does not mean your propaganda can'y be dismissed.   For all I know - you all can be posting from the same home or office.   Just wanted to make sure you understand - it does not matter how many alias show up in one thread and express love for Trita - you need logical statements - herding won't help you or him. 

i love it masoudA

everyone is to blame but yourself. you keep calling anyone that disagrees with your beliefs regime insiders, traitors it seems you are the one who needs to apologize for your undemocratic behavior and make up for your past mistakes.

Interseting Enough

It was the first time TP dared to even appear in an Iranian TV (which is ironic since he is the President of the Iranian Americans, not being an American and wanting to have nothing to do with Iranians!!) - and that was under the pre-condition that there would be no callers in a progran which ususaly takes questions from callers!!  

Dear MM and others who have ties to NIAC - please tell Trita we have a good custom here in America.   It is caused apologising for screw-ups.   Trita has been changing his positions - and that is fine.   But he needs to stand-up to his past.  People like him have been the cause of years of screwed-up American policies towards Iran.   Same applies to Vali Nasr - whose role is even more significant - he better be quiet alert - this Obama White House will not last forever.   

Mehrdad. You are welcome.

For the sake of remaining neutral, I did not want to say interrogation , but two people have either said interrogation or biased interview.

I watched the entire

I watched the entire interview which was more like an interrogation then interview.

NIAC has done a lot of good for advancement and strengthening of the Iranian-American community. For far too long Iranians have lived in US without having any voice as a community and this is the best thing that they have done. Maybe there will be more groups in the future to provide alternatives to NIAC but for now, till there are other groups that can earn the Iranian-American respect and support, they will be here to stay and more power to them.

Thanks MM for posting this.

Mehrdad

MM

I want to clarify that I don't claim NIAC and Parsi are IRI "agents".

However, there are those among us who unintentionally, by the virtue of their views or interests or finances or ideology, etc. ultimately end up serving the IRI's interest far more efficiently than IRI's paid and direct agents.

I don't know your age, but if your age is such that you can remember first hand the events of the revolution, you would know that there were those who were firmly against a theocracy (such as a young Jamshid), but nevertheless became useful tools to be manipulated by the Islamists, headed by the likes of Khomeini.

And to clarify, it was not the mollahs who could possibly manipulate us. Not at all. It was actually those who at first seemed to be "fokol kerevaati" and progressive individuals who deceived us the most and led us into a national suicide.

And then there were those others who kept warning us, even begging us to read between the lines and see the light. We refused because the "sho'badeh baazi" and manipulations performed by those others were more powerful, and they easily overcame our young intellects.

I am seeing very very very similar patterns of sho'badeh baazi with NIAC that naturally raises the suspicions of an older and more experienced Jamshid. That is all there is to it.

31 years ago, we silenced those warning voices by calling them all sort of unpatriotic names (as does NIAC today with its critics). I will have none of that today, not after the misery that a whole nation had endured.

There are tons of firmly supporting voices for NIAC. I say let there be a few opposing ones too.

I am sorry to hear that your father became a victim of guilt by association. This is tough to hear because I know of many such individuals (and their devastated family members), who were victimized in a similar way, and many of whom were executed early in the revolution to the delight of a deceived nation.

Sometimes the weight of my own guilts become too much to bear. That's when I feel the most despise towards the IRI and its cronies. So you see, just like you, I have my scars as well (many of which cannot be spoken in here.)

The same way your scars drive you to be friendlier with NIAC than others, my scars on the other hand, drives me to be more suspicious of them.

At the end, these voices serve to balance each other, and allow people to hear all sides and decide for themselves. Which is the way it should be, and the way it should have been 31 years ago as well.

Thanks Bahram for embedding - no, I do not mind

I also want to clarify that I got the map, the Iranian-American statistics and its description from wiki and the census bureau, and I just added the first and the last paragraph about the Iranian-Americans (the PS line and the bolded line).

Jamshid - I am totally against "guilt by association"

One more thing,

Since my father was a victim of "guilt by association" by IRI, I have been even a firmer advocate of the US constitution.  I saw the videos you posted and in most of them, NIAC/Trita is accused of being an IRI agent because he was in a meeting set up by Bob Ney or that he got in touch with Zarif because members of congress asked him to do so, etc.....

That is why I ask for proof that NIAC is an IRI agent.  And, if they are, they have my eternal damnation to induce my support.

Trita was brilliant

Interviewer kept saying iranians want this and want that. Typical Californian wishful thinking that has not worked for 31 years. Add to that typical Iranian acusation with no proof tactics.

Jamshid - Your story is in the videos

Trita Parsi, when he was a high school student from Sweden, came to the US as an exchange student and that is when he met Bob Ney who was a state senator at the time

In the video, Trita talks about when Bon Ney got to the congress, he wanted to find a niche, and since he knew Farsi, he got into Iranian affairs.  This is when MKO courted Bob Ney and got him to get a petition signed by ca. 200 representatives in favor of the petition that MKO was peddling.

Meanwhile, Bob Ney contacted Trita Parsi and Trita spoke against MKO; how MKO was not trusted by the Iranians and how they were a terrorist organization, and gradually after Bob Ney spoke to the ca. 200 signatories, the signatories to the bill got down to 6. 

When Trita came to the US and got involved in politics, and MKO saw that they not only lost a base in Bob Ney but now he was against them, that is when MKO turned agaionst Bob Ney and Trita parsi.

MM

Here are the links you were looking for:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGIAosfFmEo

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmOW9VCBvcU

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cilGuTcsTH8

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeAvPjPC5Lc

There is a more detailed series of videos in here. Part 1:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrKHCObFgFc&feature=related

NIAC hides behind the mask of "serving Iranians", which has worked well for them, but be careful that this does not deceive you from its deeper and actual goals.

I urge people to pay attention to Trita's interview (part 3) when he talks about Bob Ney's sudden dislike of the MKO. Are we to believe that Ney even cared about MKO, or Iran for that matter? Or was he being pressed to cut off MKO's lobby in Congress? But pressed by whom? Trita casually bypasses this issue.

Also, in his book, he does talk about his role in the grand bargain. But in the interview he casually denies it by playing with words!

Eventhough I think lifting the sanctions will be detrimental to the IRI's survival and will benefit the cause of democracy, so Trita might have a good cause, but nevertheless this cause is linked to the oil cartels and big business, both in Iran and in the US, and not really for the benefit of the Iranians.

Trita parsi = awesome

knocks out all the conspiracy theories with his fact based interview.

The interviewer was clearly biased by the way, not a real journalist.

Benross

I give you the sequence of the buttons. Make sure there is no space among them, in one line.  Goes like this

1)  [   

2)  video  

3)  :  

4)   paste  the address which includes http  

5)   ]

remember no space