Showing posts with label khamenei. Show all posts
Showing posts with label khamenei. Show all posts
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Monday, March 22, 2010
Karroubi Supports Constitution, Condemns Crackdown
According to youtube.com user, The Red Ashura, this is what Karroubi says in the video: "Mehdi Karroubi, one of the Green leaders, in a video message for the Persian New Year and Norooz, while criticizing the ruling powers and especially the remarks made by the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei in which he said that those who want to be rescued should board the ship of establishment replied, 'When the establishment only includes individuals like Ahmad Janati, Ahmad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad it cannot be called the ship of establishment it should be called the boat of establishment!'
"Karroubi [addressing] the people of Iran said, "The establishment is the values, is the 75 million people, is the Constitution, and the Islamic Republic--and stressed, 'We for sure are the devotee of this establishment and we will sacrifice our lives for the national interests, our country, Islam and the Islamic Republic'.
"Although Karroubi emphasizes that, 'If you call your taste the establishment, if you call one individual the establishment, if you call a certain party that holds a small group like Ahmad Janati, Mohammad Yazdi, Mesbah-Yazdi, Shajooni, Taeb as its clerics and Mortazavi , Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Elham, Naghdi and others like them as its individuals, the establishment; if this is what you call the establishment, then Yes! We are opposed to such an establishment!'*"Mehdi Karroubi while condemning the brutal crackdown of the peaceful protesters by government said, "The authorities instead of fulfilling peoples demands repressed them and a number of them were martyred, some of them were martyred under torture, thousands were imprisoned, a great number of servants of the Islamic Republic and figures in different ranks have been detained, the [free and independent] press were shutdown, a shocking number of journalists were also detained and none of the demands were answered'.
*NOTE: (These are a number of fanatic and hardliner pro-government individuals)
Janati: Hardliner head of the Guardian Council
Ahmad Khatami: Hardliner Friday Prayer Imam of Tehran
Yazdi: Hardliner member of the Assembly of Experts
Mesbah-Yazdi: Ahmadinejad`s mentor and the known as the mastermind behind the election coup
Taeb: The head of the intelligence section of Revolutionary Guards
Mortazavi: The notorious former Tehran Prosecutor
Elham: Hardliner member of Guardian Council and former speaker of Ahmadinejad`s administration
Naghdi: The head of Basij"
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Khomeini Photo Infuriates Mousavi Voter
by Julie Jigsawnovich
While Noruz is being celebrated, not all are celebrating Mir Mousavi's Noruz message. One of my friends wrote, "After all this, can you believe the garbage that is still coming out of his mouth?! And take a good look at his pitiful Islamized excuse for a Haft Sin, with Ayatollah Khomeini's infernal portrait as its most visible element...I actually voted for this bastard! NEVER AGAIN. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN!"
What do you think of his speech and his inclusion of the Khomeini photo?
While Noruz is being celebrated, not all are celebrating Mir Mousavi's Noruz message. One of my friends wrote, "After all this, can you believe the garbage that is still coming out of his mouth?! And take a good look at his pitiful Islamized excuse for a Haft Sin, with Ayatollah Khomeini's infernal portrait as its most visible element...I actually voted for this bastard! NEVER AGAIN. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN!"
What do you think of his speech and his inclusion of the Khomeini photo?
My friend Mazdak said, "I don't like it too. Moussavi has never been my ideal candidate as a president for Iran, and he doesn't necessarily fulfill the things I like. On one hand I like his honesty. He says what he believes in. Unlike many other politicians in Iran, he does not seem to be a hypocrite. He is talking of evolution--kind of reform, not a revolution--and I think that's what Iran needs. On the other hand, he has to do that--to give him the legitimacy to be able to continue his actions against coup d'etat and not being called "Mohareb". I think the guy who said 'the garbage that is still coming out of his mouth' is not living in Iran and does not have any clue about the harsh situation of doing political activity inside Iran. Plus, many people in Iran still believe in Islam and Moussavi is not there to ignore their beliefs.
Mazdak continued, "Finally, you will always see these contradictions and paradoxes in Green Movement of Iran because it consists of different oppositions. They can be secularist, Muslims who don't believe in combination of Islam and politics, or Muslims that still want an Islamic regime."
Another of my Iranian friends said, "I think we shouldn't forget that including the Khomeini picture is nothing more than a tactic, just like people who don't believe in God chant Allah Akbar from rooftops alongside people who do believe in God. The question is not if it is good to have Khomeini's picture there or not, but whether it is a good tactic or not. Of that I am not sure. I think nobody is."My friend Arya said, "I genuinely don't have a problem with Khomeini's picture. First of all, he was way better than Khamene'ee in my book. He was a cold-hearted dictator who didn't need to rig elections and then have to kill people to bend them to his will. He would make a speech and everyone would just shut up.
Secondly, let's not forget Mousavi's goal. He has said over and over that his dream is to 'Bring back some of the now-lost ideals that the revolution was once built upon.' I said genuinely because I believe that you shouldn't add stuff to haft-sin that don't belong there, but most people put Hafiz on their 7sin so how can they boo Mousavi for putting Khomeini there??
"Which brings us to the real problem: about his speech, I'd really love to give you a translation but I can't because I can't bear to listen to his stupid crap. Frankly, I find it an insult to the people of Iran that someone like Mousavi would even think he can pretend to be 'green' and get away with it, but look at all these people believing in him.
"Don't you find it just a little odd that our government kills protestors, imprisons political activists and is now actively watching ex-political activists, but when it comes to THE LEADER of the opposition, who gives speeches, they're just letting the m-----f---er live? That is the biggest lie I've ever been told and I won't believe it for a second. F--- that guy! He's having a new year's eve cocktail with Ahmadinejad right now for all I know."
Another Iranian friend said, "You can never expect more (from Mousavi). He was always playing like this. He never said that religion and politics should be divided. He is just about fraud in the election. His aim is to make the country like Khomeini wanted it to be. He was always clear about this statement. It's nothing new.
"Khomeini died a year before I born, so I just don't know much about him. But he was also an extremist Islamic, as far as I know. People who are chanting that religion and politics should be divided are not following Mousavi. This whole thing is just another scenario like the last one, the Islamic Revolution. I have lost my faith in Green Movement, to be frank."
My friend Dalir said, "Beh nazareh man, it's not a real shocker that he has aqseh Khomeini sitting there on the table. I was a little more surprised that he didn't have Khamenei's picture there as well. Those two tend to go hand in hand."Setting Mousavi's campaign rhetoric aside for a moment, his true beliefs coincides with those that forged the revolution and sustained it. I can understand why it would get some people heated that he has Khomeini's picture, on the flip side, it shouldn't be that much of a jaw dropper.
"Regarding his speech in the video, I had some trouble understanding him due to my Farsi not being what it should. Beh nazareh man."
Dalir asked me my opinion on the whole matter. Well...I think Shah Pahlavi had become corrupt, extremely narcissistic, out of touch with the people of Iran--and that he used torture and murder to intimidate them. So I can see why the people of Iran wanted him out of power. But I think it's a shame that they didn't replace the Shah with a more Mosadeq-like figure, who--correct me if I'm wrong--seemed more concerned about sharing oil revenues equitably with the people of Iran, than with forcing Sharia law on them. Khomeini's standing up to the US was awe inspiring, but his attempt to reject pretty much everything the US stood for was not--because the US seems a mixture of good and evil--the evil being exploitation, the good being personal liberties and freedoms. Khomeini lied and said he would not force hijab on women, but later he sure did! And as a woman who nearly fainted under her hijab, long sleeves and trousers in Isfahan last May--before it gets really hot--I can tell you that the Iranian law forcing women to cover up that much in a country that gets that hot is cruel.
Although Mousavi made history by campaigning with his wife, and many women supported his campaign and voted for him, his inclusion of the Khomeini portrait leaves me wondering how much Mousavi would have wanted to advocate for women's rights had he successfully taken office as President.
Mousavi's inclusion of Khomeini's photo, but not Khamenei's photo could perhaps be seen as a form of protest against Khamenei since the two photos are displayed together almost everywhere in Iran. But it seems that if Mousavi wanted a more secular form of government he would not have included the Khomeini portrait. This has implications not only for women--and for gays and lesbians who are persecuted under Sharia law, but also for the Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians in Iran who practice religions that predate the Islam brought by the Arab invasion of Iran--and for the Baha'is, practitioners of a religion newer than Islam, "innovators" who are heavily persecuted in Iran.
Noruz and the Haft Sin table display are ancient Zorastrian traditions that long pre-date all the other monotheistic religions including Islam, so to place an Islamic Ayatolah within the Haft Sin is itself an "innovation." For all these reasons, I can see why the friend I quoted in the opening part of this article, a friend who is politically Liberal/Progressive, supportive of a secular, Constitutional democracy for Iran and also proud of his Iranian heritage would be frustrated and angered by Mousavi's inclusion of Khomeini's photo even though, as my other friends pointed out, the inclusion is not that surprising.
Dear Readers, You can post comments as Anonymous, without having to create a profile. If your comment is long, submit it in sections. I deleted three comments by my friend Arya because there were some cuss words in them, but I cleaned up the language a little and added his comments to the article.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Iran Basij Member Regrets Election Rigging & Violence
By Channel 4 News
“Sayyed” is a member of the Basij, Iran’s religious militia. Now living in the UK, he has spoken to Channel 4 News about his role during this year’s presidential elections. We are disguising his identity.
Election orders
“In truth the orders didn’t come after the election. The orders for all that you witnessed came before the election.
“We were prepared. But we didn’t ever imagine that people’s actions would be so great. We had received orders regarding student activities.
“From three or four months before the election we had attended classes on ideological and political thought and crowd control.
“We knew what we had to do but nothing prepared us for what we saw. There were severe clashes in the first few days, and so new orders were given for forthcoming days.” (article continues below)
Religious dilemma
“I’m in complete turmoil all the time. I spent more than twenty years raised like this, and before me a household of martyrs. I keep thinking, which is right? What I’ve chosen now, or the path they’ve taken.
“Our family is no small undertaking. It has many martyrs. My uncle was martyred with Mr D, Mr AHD.
“We are a prominent religious family – always there on the frontline, always with memories of war, frontline and revolution. Since these events I keep thinking, who is right?”
Election build-up
“From three or four months before I had a social undertaking, preparing to see how people would encounter the elections, the level of attendance – would it be well received, do they believe in it, do they think something could still be done?
“It was going well even though they spoke of Khatami (reformist former president) coming, and then he wasn’t coming. All this created excitement. People came with genuine enthusiasm.
“We got various statistics and analysed them. We wanted to get an idea of what the mode of clashes would be.
“When the campaigns began the excitement reached a new height.
“We had received orders a matter of months before that there is jurisprudence, that there is the jurisprudence of the Imam Zaman, (the 13th Imam, who is expected to return like a Messiah) whose incarnation is Ayatollah Khamenei, and that he had announced that for the advancement and development of Islam and the development of the revolution no-one could be more effective than Mr. Ahmadinejad.
“Therefore the order came that Mr Khamenei has him in mind, that Mr Khamenei has Mr Ahmadinejad in mind for the presidency and so he must be announced as the winner.
“It’s he who is best suited to this revolution, order and Velayat Faqih (Iranian system of Islamic jurisdiction)” (article continues below)
“Scary and horrifying”
“I was extremely taken aback. How can I explain? This is someone who I couldn’t even entertain a conflicting thought against.
“It was truly a scary and horrifying scenario to go against wishes or opinion, especially if that opinion belongs to the Supreme Leader or that of the Velayat Faqih, for you to express a personal opinion.
“It was a terrible situation. On the one side I saw the people and on the other there was the order.”
Ballot box fraud
“The answers to your questions go back to before the elections. In the private meeting we had for those responsible for the ballot boxes, including my brother and me, it was made clear.
“The orders were announced as to how everything would be conducted on the day of the election. We were among those responsible for the ballot boxes.”
Role of the Basij
“I don’t know how much you know about the Basij but it is an extremely vast organ, much more extensive than you would imagine.
“Although you may think that it is without formal organisation, it is in fact very precise and extremely organised with sophisticated planning and everything is specified.
“When an order is received, or when the Supreme Leader has announced his opinion, well, Mr D is the spokesman of the leader and we are Mr D’s spokespeople.
“The foundations of Islam and the foundations of Shi’ism and Velayat are such that we have accepted the Velayat. When the Velayat has an opinion, everyone’s opinion must follow, because if it’s outside of this there is no place for you. You’re an outsider.
“He [Khamenei] makes his announcement and Mr D translates this in the form of advice and discussion.
“Everything has a hierarchy. It doesn’t call for Mr Khamenei to come and directly make an announcement to the soldiers, when I say soldier, I, or we, saw ourselves as soldiers of the Imam Zaman.
“He doesn’t need to come and make his announcement to the forces directly, he expresses his opinion and according to the hierarchical system, the news will reach those who need to hear it.
“Mr D’s opinion is an absolute obedience of the Supreme Leader. We’ve been told this in meetings.
“In the private meeting I mentioned to you, the commanders of the Sepah (Revolutionary Guard) were present as well as those of various Basij units from different areas.
“It was imperative to have the leader’s vision, and it was announced then that his vision is this, that he elects Ahmadinejad.”
Election fraud
“For us who were responsible for the ballot boxes the order was this: that Aqa’s [Khamenei's] wish is for Ahmadinejad to win.
“For illiterate people and those not able to complete their ballots, you must do so for them and complete them accordingly (for Ahmadinejad), no matter who their vote was intended for.
“Same with blank votes. In the counting the blank votes wouldn’t be announced as void.
“They [the illiterate] were generally made up of elderly men and women – and they are great believers in the mosque community and religious matters and areas where there is a lower literacy rate like the villages or areas of the big cities.”
Youth vote suppressed
“Our problem was the young people and university students, we had prepared for the others.
“Well they [the students] weren’t around for the count. When they left, how can I say, I’m very ashamed now, but they just came up to the box and then left.
“After the voting was over it was only us who were there. We were honest in that the command was followed.
“When the voting was over, the boxes were opened, but not all of them.
“A few were opened and counted, then we received another order to send the boxes to the main centre.”
Stopping the protests
“Because a reaction was expected, we had been ordered from before the election for all security forces to be ready for the following day.
“They told us to come early for group prayers. We went along with others who’d been invited. Prayers took place. This was followed by a short speech confirming Mr Ahmadinejad’s victory and the congratulations in order.
“Sweets and pastries were offered and the forces were organised into two shifts.
“There were areas that had been previously noted as problem areas – we called them the red points – where security presence was essential.
“These were announced, the shifts were determined and everyone was deployed. It was early.
“We had set out very early before anyone could get started. Everyone took their positions and were armed.
“The command was that we were to prevent any gathering of people to take shape.
Violent suppression “Any hint of protest was to be firmly supressed." If anything occured, to attack.
“Attacking people meant nothing. As I told you, anyone who thought differently to Ayatollah Khamenei and outside of the Velayat Faqih was considered an outsider.
“Therefore his protest has no place, therefore his opinion and protest is meaningless.
“It was simple. It was not for us to think anything of them – both voters and protesters.
“In our view, it was not a protest against the issue but a protest against Ayatollah Khamenei himself.
“And it’s just not comprehensible to us that someone should want to question him. He is our guide.”
Controlling the city
“On that day in this area there were batons, and cables that coil and extend easily. If it attaches to someone’s hand and you pull it you can do serious harm.
“Sprays like pepper sprays. Some were given handcuffs. Yes, we went prepared.
“Everything went according to plan because everything had been thought through.
“The vehicles came on time, breakfast, prayers, all on time. The city was under our control.”
“Unprecedented” clashes
“Because I had been in charge at the polling station the night before, I was on the afternoon shift. I went home to rest and then came back in the afternoon.
“When I came back I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I never thought. It was unbelievable. The level of clashes was severe.
“This was unprecedented. I had witnessed attacks before but never at this level. People wouldn’t stay back, they couldn’t be suppressed and we were really in trouble.
“As I said, I had issues with everything that had unfolded and was confused. I really didn’t want to get involved. But I had to be there. I didn’t have the right to say I didn’t want to be there. My physical presence was required.
“The clashes were very heavy. The forces were seriously involved and the people wouldn’t give in or retreat in any way. There was no end in sight.
“They would be dispersed then gather again and come back. They were standing up to us.
“I wasn’t one of the ordinary forces to have to involve myself in the situation. I could have, but I also had the choice not to.
“People like me who were supervising and observing and reporting back could just stand there. I stood there silently by my colleagues.
“As I talk to you now everything comes back to me. It’s very hard. I still can’t fathom it all. Why did it have to be like this?”
Permission to shoot
“The first day was very hard for us. When we all got back to the base that night, the commanders gave their reports from the various areas of the city.
“We were told that there would be new orders for the following days. The order came to attack everyone without restraint or mercy regardless of age. Anyone who was in disagreement.
“It was made clear, there was to be no difference between child or adult, men and women. Proper attack, without warning, or any discussion.
“This was very strange to me. Everything was surreal. This was not trivial.
“We had permission to shoot. We were all to be armed. We were supposed to support the police and security forces.
“The next day it seemed that people like us were prepared. They were ready too, and there were more of them. Just as we were prepared, they were too.”
“Watch people die”
“On the second day, I don’t know how to say it, it’s so painful to me, talking about it is hard, the memory of it is awful…the wounded, and those who died.
“It’s really hard to stand there and watch people die. I had to stand there. I had no choice.
“No [I did not kill anyone], I only accompanied others. I was trying not to get involved at all.
“They had prepared a hospital for the wounded and dead. It was a Basij hospital. It was very hard. If there was an issue with killing, it was explained that the killing was for a cause and was a good deed.
“I saw one person killed on the street but in the hospital there were many many more than was seen on the streets – from all parts of the city.
“Because the directive had been given, permission had been granted. It was intolerable.”
Unspeakable things
“It’s from then that things got even worse. We were all strangers. Orders and commands were followed. Clashes took every shape and form.
“How can I say. some of the things are unspeakable. I can’t mentally and ideologically fathom what’s happened.
“In the clashes, anyone who was wounded would be arrested. If they couldn’t catch them they’d get someone else. They would arrest anyone they could.
“It made no difference who it was. Wounded, not wounded. If they were activists, all the better. Young children, young adults.
“The treatment of them – the mode of attack and length of attack on them left me in shock.”
Arrest orders
“The command was to arrest as many 12-18 year olds as possible and bring them back.
“This group caused the most trouble so the idea was not to give them any opportunity to congregate. Many were arrested.
“Again, several locations had been prepared to take them and keep them there.
“The night I was there, I followed my brother there. I hadn’t seen him for several days as we’d been caught up in everything. I have a lot of respect for him and love him dearly.
“Since we were children we’ve always done everything together. We’re like twins. He said, I’ll be there tonight. Come there and we’ll go home together.
Sound of screams
“They had some containers ready. They had arrested some youngsters and were asking them their age and were separating them accordingly.
“Over 18s went into to one container and the under 18s into the several other containers. The number of children under the age of 18 was greater. They filled three or four containers of some 25 people in each.
“I saw all this and passed them on my way into the main courtyard building to see my relative. I greeted him and other friends.
“Then we heard noise from the yard. We thought it must be the youngsters making trouble. We went there and saw there was no-one, just the forces. The sound came from the containers.
“The sound of screams and pleading and crying. We didn’t understand what was going on.
“They were pleading: ‘We’re sorry, please, we regret our actions’. Or screams, or crying. We were confused. I couldn’t believe that they would want to do such a thing: to rape.”
Sexual violence
“This is such a heavy burden, my head hurts. But you’re a woman. I’m sure you understand. Can you give me some time?
“It’s as if it’s replaying in front of me.
“The faces, the screams are with me every moment. It’s not something you can forget or separate yourself from.
“They were pleading, they were crying, they wanted help, but my brother is a more senior authority than me. We went to see what was happening.
“There were two men of the Sepah and they came forward as we approached.
“We asked what all the noise was about. They said “Nothing, this is Fath ol Moin (aid to victory).
“We said: ‘What do you mean, what are you doing? Who’s in there?’
“Because they were Basij from the provinces we didn’t know them. We asked: ‘What’s happening, why are they crying?’
“As we pursued the matter the confrontation got worse and they said ‘You have no right to enter.’ My relative said: ‘What do you mean? I’m one of the leaders here. You can’t tell me I have no right.’
“And it really was so, but they didn’t allow us entry. We were all responsible and we clashed. After a few minutes a vehicle came into the courtyard.
“Someone must have alerted the others that we were trying to prevent them from achieving what they set out to do, the Fath ol Moin.
“They had come for us to prevent the scene from deteriorating. They said our superior had summoned us.
“They said: ‘Let’s go. He wants to speak to you.’ When we got there he was visibly furious, very frustrated. He didn’t speak.
“They said: “Let’s go. Haji wants to speak to you.” My relative was furious and very frustrated.
“He was very angry. When we got there he said: ‘What is this? Sexual abuse is a serious crime. Who gave this order? Who authorised this?
“Haji calmly replied with a smile: ‘This is Fath Al Moin. It’s a worthy deed. There’s nothing wrong with it. Why are you complaining?’
“When he said this Haji thought it would calm my relative down to know this. But the opposite happened, he became more upset. He raised his voice saying: ‘What do you mean it’s not a crime?’
“What do you mean it’s not a recognised crime? That it’s a good deed? Haji saw that he had lost control and said: ‘What’s the big deal? Nothing’s happened. What is the issue here?’
“My relative said again: ‘What do you mean what’s the big deal? Is there anything more filthy than this, more ugly than this? With children, these are children, they haven’t done anything. They’re from our own home town.’
“Haji saw that he couldn’t control him, that he wanted to return to the base and stop what was going on.
“He said: ‘You can stay here for now. Tomorrow we’ll have a meeting about it, we can discuss it and see what the issue is.’
“I insisted on staying with him. But Haji said: ‘You go and rest and we’ll get him home. You go, the driver will take you home and wait there. We’ll call you.’
“They dropped me home and my relative stayed there.”
Pain and shame
“The pain and the shame in front of people and before God. I’ve lost my world and my religion.
“I never thought that these matters could be contaminated like this.
“I thought that I was continuing the path of my uncles and our martyrs. All my interest and enthusiasm: to have the integrity for martyrdom.
“We really saw ourselves as upstanding and separate from others. We really believed that what we did was correct, that we were serving the people, that we were serving God and that our mission was nothing but worshipping God.
“But now I am ashamed in front of people, even say that I was mistaken, and I am ashamed in front of my religion. I committed crimes, knowingly and unknowingly.
“Now I’m left with my conscience punishing me for what I did.
“I hope that God and people forgive me.”
“Sayyed” is a member of the Basij, Iran’s religious militia. Now living in the UK, he has spoken to Channel 4 News about his role during this year’s presidential elections. We are disguising his identity.
Election orders
“In truth the orders didn’t come after the election. The orders for all that you witnessed came before the election.
“We were prepared. But we didn’t ever imagine that people’s actions would be so great. We had received orders regarding student activities.
“From three or four months before the election we had attended classes on ideological and political thought and crowd control.
“We knew what we had to do but nothing prepared us for what we saw. There were severe clashes in the first few days, and so new orders were given for forthcoming days.” (article continues below)
Religious dilemma
“I’m in complete turmoil all the time. I spent more than twenty years raised like this, and before me a household of martyrs. I keep thinking, which is right? What I’ve chosen now, or the path they’ve taken.
“Our family is no small undertaking. It has many martyrs. My uncle was martyred with Mr D, Mr AHD.
“We are a prominent religious family – always there on the frontline, always with memories of war, frontline and revolution. Since these events I keep thinking, who is right?”
Election build-up
“From three or four months before I had a social undertaking, preparing to see how people would encounter the elections, the level of attendance – would it be well received, do they believe in it, do they think something could still be done?
“It was going well even though they spoke of Khatami (reformist former president) coming, and then he wasn’t coming. All this created excitement. People came with genuine enthusiasm.
“We got various statistics and analysed them. We wanted to get an idea of what the mode of clashes would be.
“When the campaigns began the excitement reached a new height.
“We had received orders a matter of months before that there is jurisprudence, that there is the jurisprudence of the Imam Zaman, (the 13th Imam, who is expected to return like a Messiah) whose incarnation is Ayatollah Khamenei, and that he had announced that for the advancement and development of Islam and the development of the revolution no-one could be more effective than Mr. Ahmadinejad.
“Therefore the order came that Mr Khamenei has him in mind, that Mr Khamenei has Mr Ahmadinejad in mind for the presidency and so he must be announced as the winner.
“It’s he who is best suited to this revolution, order and Velayat Faqih (Iranian system of Islamic jurisdiction)” (article continues below)
“Scary and horrifying”
“I was extremely taken aback. How can I explain? This is someone who I couldn’t even entertain a conflicting thought against.
“It was truly a scary and horrifying scenario to go against wishes or opinion, especially if that opinion belongs to the Supreme Leader or that of the Velayat Faqih, for you to express a personal opinion.
“It was a terrible situation. On the one side I saw the people and on the other there was the order.”
Ballot box fraud
“The answers to your questions go back to before the elections. In the private meeting we had for those responsible for the ballot boxes, including my brother and me, it was made clear.
“The orders were announced as to how everything would be conducted on the day of the election. We were among those responsible for the ballot boxes.”
Role of the Basij
“I don’t know how much you know about the Basij but it is an extremely vast organ, much more extensive than you would imagine.
“Although you may think that it is without formal organisation, it is in fact very precise and extremely organised with sophisticated planning and everything is specified.
“When an order is received, or when the Supreme Leader has announced his opinion, well, Mr D is the spokesman of the leader and we are Mr D’s spokespeople.
“The foundations of Islam and the foundations of Shi’ism and Velayat are such that we have accepted the Velayat. When the Velayat has an opinion, everyone’s opinion must follow, because if it’s outside of this there is no place for you. You’re an outsider.
“He [Khamenei] makes his announcement and Mr D translates this in the form of advice and discussion.
“Everything has a hierarchy. It doesn’t call for Mr Khamenei to come and directly make an announcement to the soldiers, when I say soldier, I, or we, saw ourselves as soldiers of the Imam Zaman.
“He doesn’t need to come and make his announcement to the forces directly, he expresses his opinion and according to the hierarchical system, the news will reach those who need to hear it.
“Mr D’s opinion is an absolute obedience of the Supreme Leader. We’ve been told this in meetings.
“In the private meeting I mentioned to you, the commanders of the Sepah (Revolutionary Guard) were present as well as those of various Basij units from different areas.
“It was imperative to have the leader’s vision, and it was announced then that his vision is this, that he elects Ahmadinejad.”
Election fraud
“For us who were responsible for the ballot boxes the order was this: that Aqa’s [Khamenei's] wish is for Ahmadinejad to win.
“For illiterate people and those not able to complete their ballots, you must do so for them and complete them accordingly (for Ahmadinejad), no matter who their vote was intended for.
“Same with blank votes. In the counting the blank votes wouldn’t be announced as void.
“They [the illiterate] were generally made up of elderly men and women – and they are great believers in the mosque community and religious matters and areas where there is a lower literacy rate like the villages or areas of the big cities.”
Youth vote suppressed
“Our problem was the young people and university students, we had prepared for the others.
“Well they [the students] weren’t around for the count. When they left, how can I say, I’m very ashamed now, but they just came up to the box and then left.
“After the voting was over it was only us who were there. We were honest in that the command was followed.
“When the voting was over, the boxes were opened, but not all of them.
“A few were opened and counted, then we received another order to send the boxes to the main centre.”
Stopping the protests
“Because a reaction was expected, we had been ordered from before the election for all security forces to be ready for the following day.
“They told us to come early for group prayers. We went along with others who’d been invited. Prayers took place. This was followed by a short speech confirming Mr Ahmadinejad’s victory and the congratulations in order.
“Sweets and pastries were offered and the forces were organised into two shifts.
“There were areas that had been previously noted as problem areas – we called them the red points – where security presence was essential.
“These were announced, the shifts were determined and everyone was deployed. It was early.
“We had set out very early before anyone could get started. Everyone took their positions and were armed.
“The command was that we were to prevent any gathering of people to take shape.
Violent suppression “Any hint of protest was to be firmly supressed." If anything occured, to attack.
“Attacking people meant nothing. As I told you, anyone who thought differently to Ayatollah Khamenei and outside of the Velayat Faqih was considered an outsider.
“Therefore his protest has no place, therefore his opinion and protest is meaningless.
“It was simple. It was not for us to think anything of them – both voters and protesters.
“In our view, it was not a protest against the issue but a protest against Ayatollah Khamenei himself.
“And it’s just not comprehensible to us that someone should want to question him. He is our guide.”
Controlling the city
“On that day in this area there were batons, and cables that coil and extend easily. If it attaches to someone’s hand and you pull it you can do serious harm.
“Sprays like pepper sprays. Some were given handcuffs. Yes, we went prepared.
“Everything went according to plan because everything had been thought through.
“The vehicles came on time, breakfast, prayers, all on time. The city was under our control.”
“Unprecedented” clashes
“Because I had been in charge at the polling station the night before, I was on the afternoon shift. I went home to rest and then came back in the afternoon.
“When I came back I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I never thought. It was unbelievable. The level of clashes was severe.
“This was unprecedented. I had witnessed attacks before but never at this level. People wouldn’t stay back, they couldn’t be suppressed and we were really in trouble.
“As I said, I had issues with everything that had unfolded and was confused. I really didn’t want to get involved. But I had to be there. I didn’t have the right to say I didn’t want to be there. My physical presence was required.
“The clashes were very heavy. The forces were seriously involved and the people wouldn’t give in or retreat in any way. There was no end in sight.
“They would be dispersed then gather again and come back. They were standing up to us.
“I wasn’t one of the ordinary forces to have to involve myself in the situation. I could have, but I also had the choice not to.
“People like me who were supervising and observing and reporting back could just stand there. I stood there silently by my colleagues.
“As I talk to you now everything comes back to me. It’s very hard. I still can’t fathom it all. Why did it have to be like this?”
Permission to shoot
“The first day was very hard for us. When we all got back to the base that night, the commanders gave their reports from the various areas of the city.
“We were told that there would be new orders for the following days. The order came to attack everyone without restraint or mercy regardless of age. Anyone who was in disagreement.
“It was made clear, there was to be no difference between child or adult, men and women. Proper attack, without warning, or any discussion.
“This was very strange to me. Everything was surreal. This was not trivial.
“We had permission to shoot. We were all to be armed. We were supposed to support the police and security forces.
“The next day it seemed that people like us were prepared. They were ready too, and there were more of them. Just as we were prepared, they were too.”
“Watch people die”
“On the second day, I don’t know how to say it, it’s so painful to me, talking about it is hard, the memory of it is awful…the wounded, and those who died.
“It’s really hard to stand there and watch people die. I had to stand there. I had no choice.
“No [I did not kill anyone], I only accompanied others. I was trying not to get involved at all.
“They had prepared a hospital for the wounded and dead. It was a Basij hospital. It was very hard. If there was an issue with killing, it was explained that the killing was for a cause and was a good deed.
“I saw one person killed on the street but in the hospital there were many many more than was seen on the streets – from all parts of the city.
“Because the directive had been given, permission had been granted. It was intolerable.”
Unspeakable things
“It’s from then that things got even worse. We were all strangers. Orders and commands were followed. Clashes took every shape and form.
“How can I say. some of the things are unspeakable. I can’t mentally and ideologically fathom what’s happened.
“In the clashes, anyone who was wounded would be arrested. If they couldn’t catch them they’d get someone else. They would arrest anyone they could.
“It made no difference who it was. Wounded, not wounded. If they were activists, all the better. Young children, young adults.
“The treatment of them – the mode of attack and length of attack on them left me in shock.”
Arrest orders
“The command was to arrest as many 12-18 year olds as possible and bring them back.
“This group caused the most trouble so the idea was not to give them any opportunity to congregate. Many were arrested.
“Again, several locations had been prepared to take them and keep them there.
“The night I was there, I followed my brother there. I hadn’t seen him for several days as we’d been caught up in everything. I have a lot of respect for him and love him dearly.
“Since we were children we’ve always done everything together. We’re like twins. He said, I’ll be there tonight. Come there and we’ll go home together.
Sound of screams
“They had some containers ready. They had arrested some youngsters and were asking them their age and were separating them accordingly.
“Over 18s went into to one container and the under 18s into the several other containers. The number of children under the age of 18 was greater. They filled three or four containers of some 25 people in each.
“I saw all this and passed them on my way into the main courtyard building to see my relative. I greeted him and other friends.
“Then we heard noise from the yard. We thought it must be the youngsters making trouble. We went there and saw there was no-one, just the forces. The sound came from the containers.
“The sound of screams and pleading and crying. We didn’t understand what was going on.
“They were pleading: ‘We’re sorry, please, we regret our actions’. Or screams, or crying. We were confused. I couldn’t believe that they would want to do such a thing: to rape.”
Sexual violence
“This is such a heavy burden, my head hurts. But you’re a woman. I’m sure you understand. Can you give me some time?
“It’s as if it’s replaying in front of me.
“The faces, the screams are with me every moment. It’s not something you can forget or separate yourself from.
“They were pleading, they were crying, they wanted help, but my brother is a more senior authority than me. We went to see what was happening.
“There were two men of the Sepah and they came forward as we approached.
“We asked what all the noise was about. They said “Nothing, this is Fath ol Moin (aid to victory).
“We said: ‘What do you mean, what are you doing? Who’s in there?’
“Because they were Basij from the provinces we didn’t know them. We asked: ‘What’s happening, why are they crying?’
“As we pursued the matter the confrontation got worse and they said ‘You have no right to enter.’ My relative said: ‘What do you mean? I’m one of the leaders here. You can’t tell me I have no right.’
“And it really was so, but they didn’t allow us entry. We were all responsible and we clashed. After a few minutes a vehicle came into the courtyard.
“Someone must have alerted the others that we were trying to prevent them from achieving what they set out to do, the Fath ol Moin.
“They had come for us to prevent the scene from deteriorating. They said our superior had summoned us.
“They said: ‘Let’s go. He wants to speak to you.’ When we got there he was visibly furious, very frustrated. He didn’t speak.
“They said: “Let’s go. Haji wants to speak to you.” My relative was furious and very frustrated.
“He was very angry. When we got there he said: ‘What is this? Sexual abuse is a serious crime. Who gave this order? Who authorised this?
“Haji calmly replied with a smile: ‘This is Fath Al Moin. It’s a worthy deed. There’s nothing wrong with it. Why are you complaining?’
“When he said this Haji thought it would calm my relative down to know this. But the opposite happened, he became more upset. He raised his voice saying: ‘What do you mean it’s not a crime?’
“What do you mean it’s not a recognised crime? That it’s a good deed? Haji saw that he had lost control and said: ‘What’s the big deal? Nothing’s happened. What is the issue here?’
“My relative said again: ‘What do you mean what’s the big deal? Is there anything more filthy than this, more ugly than this? With children, these are children, they haven’t done anything. They’re from our own home town.’
“Haji saw that he couldn’t control him, that he wanted to return to the base and stop what was going on.
“He said: ‘You can stay here for now. Tomorrow we’ll have a meeting about it, we can discuss it and see what the issue is.’
“I insisted on staying with him. But Haji said: ‘You go and rest and we’ll get him home. You go, the driver will take you home and wait there. We’ll call you.’
“They dropped me home and my relative stayed there.”
Pain and shame
“The pain and the shame in front of people and before God. I’ve lost my world and my religion.
“I never thought that these matters could be contaminated like this.
“I thought that I was continuing the path of my uncles and our martyrs. All my interest and enthusiasm: to have the integrity for martyrdom.
“We really saw ourselves as upstanding and separate from others. We really believed that what we did was correct, that we were serving the people, that we were serving God and that our mission was nothing but worshipping God.
“But now I am ashamed in front of people, even say that I was mistaken, and I am ashamed in front of my religion. I committed crimes, knowingly and unknowingly.
“Now I’m left with my conscience punishing me for what I did.
“I hope that God and people forgive me.”
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Public Unhappiness with Supreme Leader Khamenei
Considering the power Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei has, and the brutality he has condoned, writing ,"Death to Khamenei" on a public bus was very brave indeed!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rafsanjani's Speech, as reported by British, Arab, Israeli, and Iranian Press
by Julie Jigsawnovich
Rafsanjani has the Constitutional power to remove Supreme Leader Khamenei from office. Khamenei and his son are reportedly behind the extremely brutal crackdowns on Iranians protesting presidential election results widely believed to be fraudulent--and on journalists documenting and reporting the protests. Rafsanjani's own daughter was previously arrested, and later released, after voicing her support for opposition candidate Moussavi. It is interesting to compare the reportage on Rafsanjani's speech today by British, Arab and Israeli, and Iranian journalists. I have added italics to these excerpts for emphasis.
BBC posted video of Rafsanjani speaking, with an English translation overdubbed. Here's a transcript:
"We should base our work on law and we should open the way for debates. Maybe if we would be able to have open debates, we would be able in a short span of time to return trust to the people. We shouldn't have people in prison under such names. We should allow those people to go back to their homes. We should not allow our enemies to blame us for imprisoning some people. We should not allow them to laugh at us, and to plot against us. We should try to be brave enough, patient enough to tolerate each other."
See the video at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8155203.stm
Alireza Ronaghi, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, said:
"Rafsanjani said we must preserve the Islamic nature of our government and without the people's votes and trust, the government cannot be Islamic.
"And that's the argument that Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi [another defeated presidential candidate] have been putting forth.
"He's trying to open a way for solving the standoff, and give a convincing option for those dissatisfied with the election outcome."
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2009/07/200971793040418381.html
Israeli website, HAARETZ.com reports:
"Tens of thousands - mostly pro-opposition but also some government backers - packed the prayer hall and shouted competing slogans. Hard-liners made traditional chants of death to America, while opposition supporters countered with death to Russia - a reference to government's ties to Moscow. Many pro-reform worshipers wore green headbands or wristbands or had green prayer rugs - the opposition movement's color.
"In the front row of the worshipers was opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, attending for the first time since the election. Mousavi claims he won the election and that results showing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory were fraudulent. He insists Ahmadinejad's government will be illegitimate."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100966.html
Given that Iranian state-run IRIB tends to be used as a propaganda tool, the concluding sentence of this article about Rafsanjani's Friday Prayers is refreshingly frank:
"Outlining the procedure of the Islamic Revolution in Iran under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini and the principles the revolution was basically built upon, he said it was a fundamental notion with the late Imam Khomeini that if people were not satisfied, then the country’s affairs would not succeed."
http://english.iribnews.ir/newsbody.aspx?ID=3630
Rafsanjani has the Constitutional power to remove Supreme Leader Khamenei from office. Khamenei and his son are reportedly behind the extremely brutal crackdowns on Iranians protesting presidential election results widely believed to be fraudulent--and on journalists documenting and reporting the protests. Rafsanjani's own daughter was previously arrested, and later released, after voicing her support for opposition candidate Moussavi. It is interesting to compare the reportage on Rafsanjani's speech today by British, Arab and Israeli, and Iranian journalists. I have added italics to these excerpts for emphasis.
BBC posted video of Rafsanjani speaking, with an English translation overdubbed. Here's a transcript:
"We should base our work on law and we should open the way for debates. Maybe if we would be able to have open debates, we would be able in a short span of time to return trust to the people. We shouldn't have people in prison under such names. We should allow those people to go back to their homes. We should not allow our enemies to blame us for imprisoning some people. We should not allow them to laugh at us, and to plot against us. We should try to be brave enough, patient enough to tolerate each other."
See the video at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8155203.stm
Alireza Ronaghi, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, said:
"Rafsanjani said we must preserve the Islamic nature of our government and without the people's votes and trust, the government cannot be Islamic.
"And that's the argument that Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi [another defeated presidential candidate] have been putting forth.
"He's trying to open a way for solving the standoff, and give a convincing option for those dissatisfied with the election outcome."
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2009/07/200971793040418381.html
Israeli website, HAARETZ.com reports:
"Tens of thousands - mostly pro-opposition but also some government backers - packed the prayer hall and shouted competing slogans. Hard-liners made traditional chants of death to America, while opposition supporters countered with death to Russia - a reference to government's ties to Moscow. Many pro-reform worshipers wore green headbands or wristbands or had green prayer rugs - the opposition movement's color.
"In the front row of the worshipers was opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, attending for the first time since the election. Mousavi claims he won the election and that results showing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory were fraudulent. He insists Ahmadinejad's government will be illegitimate."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100966.html
Given that Iranian state-run IRIB tends to be used as a propaganda tool, the concluding sentence of this article about Rafsanjani's Friday Prayers is refreshingly frank:
"Outlining the procedure of the Islamic Revolution in Iran under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini and the principles the revolution was basically built upon, he said it was a fundamental notion with the late Imam Khomeini that if people were not satisfied, then the country’s affairs would not succeed."
http://english.iribnews.ir/newsbody.aspx?ID=3630
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Makhmalbaf speaks about the future of Iran's democratic movement
by Julie Jigsawnovich
Today Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf spoke about Mir-Hossein Moussavi and Iran's democratic movement during a conference call hosted by The Huffington Post and the New York Chapter of Where Is My Vote.
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the 1999 "18th of Tir" Protests in Iran, during which students protesting the closing of the reformist newspaper Salaam were attacked. Protests continued for six days, culminating with thousands of Iranians demonstrating for democracy and civil rights. At the time, it was the biggest display of popular discontent in the Islamic Republic's history.
Following is my live transcription of what Mohsen Makhmalbaf said through an interpreter during the call today. (I just received an audio file and will double check it against this, but believe this is pretty accurate.)
"Mir-Hossein Moussavi is under threats to his life right now.
[A human chain was made by Moussavi supporters in Tehran.] "In case Moussavi is imprisoned, we are prepared to think of Moussavi as one link in this chain. In case we lose him, the chain will not be lost. We will continue. We believe every Iranian inside Iran is a campaign supporter, and every Iranian outside Iran is an ambassador to this group. Participants in this movement do not need Moussavi's permission for their actions.
"I spoke yesterday at the European Parliament, asking them not to recognize Ahmadinejad as President. I demanded them to consider the nuclear and the democratic issue as one issue--not as two, because we are facing one dictator government in Iran. It's one and the same dictator that is torturing the people inside Iran, and the outside world--with its projects in trying to build a nuclear bomb.
"We ask the European Union to punish Nokia Siemens for selling spy equipment to the Iranian government.
"I want to ask world leaders or people that they should not accept the Iranian regime's propaganda about [hurting by helping.] We do need everybody's help, as part of humanity.
"If a hijacker takes the passengers hostage, will they consider it an internal fight--or will they help the passengers? Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have taken the Iranian people hostage. Will you sign oil treaties with this government, or will you side with the Iranian people and help fight injustice?
"Will Obama accept the military coup in Honduras? In Iran also, the previous president has held a coup against the current president.
"I think that the fate of democracy in Iran and the fate of the world are tied together. If they do not help the people of Iran, they will face threats by these dictators on the outside.
"Khamenei and Ahmadinejad are not liked by the Iranian people and do not have international support, therefore they will run towards the nuclear option. The only mistake the international community is making is giving Khamenei time. He is getting the time he needs to finalize his nuclear project.
"I just want to finish with a few lines about Obama. Obama has said there is no difference between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi. If so, there is no difference between Bush and Obama. Ahmadinejad has Hitler as his role model. Moussavi has Ghandi and Mandela as his role models. Iranian people cannot go abroad to ask Obama or Mandela to lead them. The world community cannot dictate which leaders Iranian people choose.
"Moussavi is an experienced politician, but Moussavi's art spirit dominates his politician's character. The main reason for this claim is 20 years of silence. He went back to his art career. His poetic and artistic spirit is very different from the murderous spirit of Ahmadinejad.
Iranian cinema was founded during Moussavi's Premiership, and backed by him. I'm a filmmaker who made several films that were openly critical of his government, and he is the one who was for these movies coming out and being seen. Movies were openly critical of his government, but he allowed them to be released.
"One day, with more time, I would like to tell people about Moussavi's character and tell people what an honorable character is leading this movement।"
http://persianesque.com/2009/07/14/makhmalbaf-speaks-about-the-future-of-irans-democratic-movement/
Today Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf spoke about Mir-Hossein Moussavi and Iran's democratic movement during a conference call hosted by The Huffington Post and the New York Chapter of Where Is My Vote.
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the 1999 "18th of Tir" Protests in Iran, during which students protesting the closing of the reformist newspaper Salaam were attacked. Protests continued for six days, culminating with thousands of Iranians demonstrating for democracy and civil rights. At the time, it was the biggest display of popular discontent in the Islamic Republic's history.
Following is my live transcription of what Mohsen Makhmalbaf said through an interpreter during the call today. (I just received an audio file and will double check it against this, but believe this is pretty accurate.)
"Mir-Hossein Moussavi is under threats to his life right now.
[A human chain was made by Moussavi supporters in Tehran.] "In case Moussavi is imprisoned, we are prepared to think of Moussavi as one link in this chain. In case we lose him, the chain will not be lost. We will continue. We believe every Iranian inside Iran is a campaign supporter, and every Iranian outside Iran is an ambassador to this group. Participants in this movement do not need Moussavi's permission for their actions.
"I spoke yesterday at the European Parliament, asking them not to recognize Ahmadinejad as President. I demanded them to consider the nuclear and the democratic issue as one issue--not as two, because we are facing one dictator government in Iran. It's one and the same dictator that is torturing the people inside Iran, and the outside world--with its projects in trying to build a nuclear bomb.
"We ask the European Union to punish Nokia Siemens for selling spy equipment to the Iranian government.
"I want to ask world leaders or people that they should not accept the Iranian regime's propaganda about [hurting by helping.] We do need everybody's help, as part of humanity.
"If a hijacker takes the passengers hostage, will they consider it an internal fight--or will they help the passengers? Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have taken the Iranian people hostage. Will you sign oil treaties with this government, or will you side with the Iranian people and help fight injustice?
"Will Obama accept the military coup in Honduras? In Iran also, the previous president has held a coup against the current president.
"I think that the fate of democracy in Iran and the fate of the world are tied together. If they do not help the people of Iran, they will face threats by these dictators on the outside.
"Khamenei and Ahmadinejad are not liked by the Iranian people and do not have international support, therefore they will run towards the nuclear option. The only mistake the international community is making is giving Khamenei time. He is getting the time he needs to finalize his nuclear project.
"I just want to finish with a few lines about Obama. Obama has said there is no difference between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi. If so, there is no difference between Bush and Obama. Ahmadinejad has Hitler as his role model. Moussavi has Ghandi and Mandela as his role models. Iranian people cannot go abroad to ask Obama or Mandela to lead them. The world community cannot dictate which leaders Iranian people choose.
"Moussavi is an experienced politician, but Moussavi's art spirit dominates his politician's character. The main reason for this claim is 20 years of silence. He went back to his art career. His poetic and artistic spirit is very different from the murderous spirit of Ahmadinejad.
Iranian cinema was founded during Moussavi's Premiership, and backed by him. I'm a filmmaker who made several films that were openly critical of his government, and he is the one who was for these movies coming out and being seen. Movies were openly critical of his government, but he allowed them to be released.
"One day, with more time, I would like to tell people about Moussavi's character and tell people what an honorable character is leading this movement।"
http://persianesque.com/2009/07/14/makhmalbaf-speaks-about-the-future-of-irans-democratic-movement/
Monday, July 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
"THEY CAN'T ARREST 30 MILLION PEOPLE"
Chat with my teenage protester friend in Tehran:
Julie:
I read that Iran's government is reading emails now.
Adrenaline:
Iran has one of the most powerful security organizations--one of the top 5 in the world !
We all are already on their list. We = Persian protesters. There's nothing we can do about it.
Julie:
I'm glad you haven't been arrested.
Adrenaline:
They can't arrest us. Prisons and jails are limited. They can't arrest 30 million people.
Julie:
30 million people there are protesters!?
Adrenaline:
Before it was. But now, it's like 5 million protesters in Tehran, 1 million in Esfehan, 1 million in Tabriz, and 3 million in other cities. These are active ones! Other ones are scared--maybe they're old, maybe something else. But I'm sure at LEAST 40 million in Iran are supporting us...in their minds, in their speeches, behind their computers. They're helping us in the internet, and so on.
Julie:
What do you think the future for Iran is now?
Adrenaline:
More people are going to be killed and everything's going to be the same. Its not our war. The real war is for power between big bosses--between Khamenei and Rafsanjani. We're just nothing--some kind of toys and dolls for them. You can't even imagine the power of Khamenei !
Julie:
You don't think Rafsanjani could be a better Spiritual Leader?
Adrenaline:
They're all the same. There's not much difference between Khamenei and Rafsanjani.
Julie:
The American press says Rafsanjani supported Mousavi.
Adrenaline:
True. But Mousavi is not the super hero. It's like we choose between bad and worse. There's no good in it!
Julie:
What do you think the American government should do or not do?
Adrenaline:
I just sent a video to you. You will get your answer in that video.
[Adrenaline sends a link to the video,
"Reza Pahlavi Speaks About Events in Iran."]
Julie:
You agree with Reza Pahlavi?
[The son of the deposed Shah of Iran.]
Adrenaline:
In some parts.
Julie:
With which do you agree? With which do you disagree?
Adrenaline:
None of them totally, but he DOES have some good points in his speech.
Julie:
What are the best points?
Adrenaline:
Helping us with communication and media, like internet, mailing big organizations like U.N. and others, joining the Persian protesters in U.S., and things like that.
Julie:
Mamnun. [Thank you.] Do i have your permission to copy this conversation, change your name to Adrenaline, and post it to my blog at http://jigsawnovich.blogspot.com ?
Adrenaline:
Yes you do, even though my English sux :-p:-p
Julie:
Do you want me to correct your English before I post it?
Adrenaline:
I dunno...u can do it IF U Want.
Julie:
Kheyli mamnun! [Many thanks.]
Adrenaline:
yw
Julie:
I read that Iran's government is reading emails now.
Adrenaline:
Iran has one of the most powerful security organizations--one of the top 5 in the world !
We all are already on their list. We = Persian protesters. There's nothing we can do about it.
Julie:
I'm glad you haven't been arrested.
Adrenaline:
They can't arrest us. Prisons and jails are limited. They can't arrest 30 million people.
Julie:
30 million people there are protesters!?
Adrenaline:
Before it was. But now, it's like 5 million protesters in Tehran, 1 million in Esfehan, 1 million in Tabriz, and 3 million in other cities. These are active ones! Other ones are scared--maybe they're old, maybe something else. But I'm sure at LEAST 40 million in Iran are supporting us...in their minds, in their speeches, behind their computers. They're helping us in the internet, and so on.
Julie:
What do you think the future for Iran is now?
Adrenaline:
More people are going to be killed and everything's going to be the same. Its not our war. The real war is for power between big bosses--between Khamenei and Rafsanjani. We're just nothing--some kind of toys and dolls for them. You can't even imagine the power of Khamenei !
Julie:
You don't think Rafsanjani could be a better Spiritual Leader?
Adrenaline:
They're all the same. There's not much difference between Khamenei and Rafsanjani.
Julie:
The American press says Rafsanjani supported Mousavi.
Adrenaline:
True. But Mousavi is not the super hero. It's like we choose between bad and worse. There's no good in it!
Julie:
What do you think the American government should do or not do?
Adrenaline:
I just sent a video to you. You will get your answer in that video.
[Adrenaline sends a link to the video,
"Reza Pahlavi Speaks About Events in Iran."]
Julie:
You agree with Reza Pahlavi?
[The son of the deposed Shah of Iran.]
Adrenaline:
In some parts.
Julie:
With which do you agree? With which do you disagree?
Adrenaline:
None of them totally, but he DOES have some good points in his speech.
Julie:
What are the best points?
Adrenaline:
Helping us with communication and media, like internet, mailing big organizations like U.N. and others, joining the Persian protesters in U.S., and things like that.
Julie:
Mamnun. [Thank you.] Do i have your permission to copy this conversation, change your name to Adrenaline, and post it to my blog at http://jigsawnovich.blogspot.com ?
Adrenaline:
Yes you do, even though my English sux :-p:-p
Julie:
Do you want me to correct your English before I post it?
Adrenaline:
I dunno...u can do it IF U Want.
Julie:
Kheyli mamnun! [Many thanks.]
Adrenaline:
yw
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