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‘where to Iran’
Speech Presented
By
Dr. Mehrdad Khonsari
Secretary General of ‘Green Wave’
To the ‘Kensington and Chelsea Womens Club’
Royal Geographical Society
London, 8th October 2010
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It is a great pleasure for me to be amongst you today and I am especially
grateful to the KCWC and in particular Cindy Maceda and the Club President,
Mary Narvel for their kind invitation and their efforts for having arranged this
event.
It is a special privilege for me to have the opportunity of addressing you at this
time of historic and crucial significance for the future of peace and stability in the
Middle East.
The occasion today of addressing the topic ‘where to Iran’ makes necessary for
me to say a few brief words on the subject of ‘Where Fro Iran’ concerning the
past history and tradition of tolerance and fraternal coexistence in my country.
While, in recent years, the international image of Iran has been seriously
tarnished as a result of the Islamic regime's appalling record on human rights –
something which has once again been particularly highlighted by the brutal
suppression of our struggling youth and women since the fraudulent presidential
election of 2009, it is important to underline and bear in mind that this
regrettable turn of events that begun with the advent of the Islamic Republic in
1979, is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Iranian history, reminds us that as
far back as 550 B.C., Cyrus the Great created one of the world's first empires with
a historical legacy that points to something quite different from the situation we
have inherited today.
In numerous articles, reflecting the contribution made by Cyrus the Great, many
historians and academicians have made note of the reference made to Cyrus in
the Old Testament. They have underlined the important point that no other
foreign ruler was given as much praise as Cyrus had from Isaiah, one of the
grandest prophets of Israel, in what Biblical criticism has named the Second
Isaiah. These scholars have concluded that beyond question, Cyrus was deserving
of these eulogies because of his proclamation of what was undoubtedly the
world's First Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and for his granting
permission to the Babylonian exiles to return to their country and rebuild their
Temple in Jerusalem.
Indeed, the empire founded by Cyrus the Great was not based on territorial
acquisition alone, but on international tolerance and understanding. The rights of
all subject nations were upheld, and their laws and customs respected.
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Until recently,
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
the ideals espoused, and the trend established by Cyrus the Great all those years
ago was able to create a 'Modus Vivendi' of relative tolerance and acceptance,
which successfully displayed extreme resilience with the passage of time,
throughout Iran's long and illustrious history. These same principles were
subsequently enshrined in the Iranian Constitution of 1906, and as a result,
Iranians of all ethnic and religious background thrived in a peaceful atmosphere
of tolerance and coexistence. Shiites, Sunnis, Christians and Jews and others,
lived side by side with Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Baluchis and other tribal people,
without any fear of persecution.
However, following the advent of the Islamic Republic, this long established
tradition of tolerance, much like everything else in our country, has been
violated.
Restoring the reputation of our country in the field of human rights, is one of the
most important priorities of any agenda for change in Iran, and I wish to take this
opportunity to pledge and underline our wholehearted commitment to this
cause.
Having said that I should like to remind you that in today's age of rapid
communications, the dramatic events that have transformed international
politics over the past two decades since the end of communism cannot but affect
all nations, and perhaps more importantly serve to inspire thinking individuals
within all nations. In that respect, the demise of totalitarian rule in the Soviet
Union and its former satellite states in Eastern Europe, coupled with the
emergence of elected democracies from Pakistan to Brazil, and from the
Philippines and South Korea to Southern Africa, cannot but further isolate those
remaining bastions of despotism and dictatorship that continue to show utter
disregard for popular will, sentiment, and legitimate aspirations. And nowhere is
that disregard and contempt for freedom and human rights more manifestly
exhibited in our contemporary world than in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where
the only achievements in more than 31 years of theocratic dictatorship have
been unparalleled repression, rapid economic decline and chronic internal
instability.
To make matters worse, until a few years ago when it became clear that the
current Iranian leadership was seeking to develop nuclear weapons while fuelling
unrest in places like Iraq and Afghanistan which continues to result in the
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undeniable deaths of numerous American and British troops, the plight of
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ordinary Iranian citizens had been exacerbated as a consequence of deliberate
and cynical policies pursued by some Western governments, who had
shamelessly promoted the dangerously misleading perception, that the situation
in Iran despite the obvious loss of the initial public enthusiasm for the revolution,
caused as a result of serious policy flaws and mismanagement, gross violations of
human rights, a ruinous 8 year with Iraq and the loss of tens of thousands of
needless lives from which the country has not fully recovered to this day,
continued to remain in line with the wishes of the majority of the people and
that the Islamic regime, although unpalatable, was one with whom one could do
business.
What this cynical attitude had failed to take into account is that the people of
Iran have for a long time been totally disenchanted and dissatisfied with the fate
that has been prescribed for them and have used every potential opportunity to
exhibit their disdain for the current ruling establishment. What they want is a
government that is wholeheartedly committed to the prevailing tendencies of
the contemporary world in which we live, such as an unswerving appreciation
and belief in democracy and human rights. The people of Iran resent their Islamic
dictators for having resorted to hostage taking and terrorism, solely for purposes
of their own advancement and, without question, against the better interests of
the Iranian nation. Furthermore, they detest a leadership that has destroyed
their peace of mind and prosperity through various acts ranging from blatant
warmongering to outright indiscriminate violence.
Before focusing on some of the complex factors that are currently in play and
will no doubt alter the future shape and direction of my country, it is
appropriate for me to underline the importance of the fact that we are living in
a dangerous world where the kind of hopes and visions that we have come to
respect and identify with progress, modernity and civilized norms, are being
seriously challenged.
But contrary to conventional wisdom and media hype, this challenge is not
being made by Islam or any mainstream religion. Instead, this threat is being
projected by a radical and revolutionary coalition of religious fanatics spurred
on by the victors of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, who have come to
successfully misrepresent the greater majority by pursuing rejectionist and
revisionist agendas. Hence, they reject the broader objectives of peace,
stability and development in regions such as the Middle East and beyond on
the grounds that they do not conform to their visions and interpretations.
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The pronounced failure on the part of the West to effectively identify and deal
with this problem at its roots has led to a situation that after almost a decade
of military presence in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, organizations such as
Al Qaeda and its sympathizers have been able to regroup and once again pose
a serious global terrorist threat that has now come to include mainland Europe
as witnessed by the general alarm that was sounded only a few days ago in
places like France and Germany.
There is no doubt in my mind that the advent of Khomeini’s Islamic Republic in
1979, which turned my homeland into the cradle of modern day Islamic
radicalism, has been instrumental in opening the flood gates for the spread of
militant anti‐Western Islamic tendencies, not just in the Middle East region,
but throughout the world. Sadly, it has also turned one of the richest and most
strategic countries in the world into a launching pad for spreading state and
sub‐state sponsored terrorism with its ensuing instabilities throughout the
Middle East region.
So to those wanting to promote the Middle East peace process or defusing the
Middle East as a major source of international tension, I say you can allocate as
much money and time as you like but the key to this desired outcome does not
lie in war torn environments like Iraq or Afghanistan or places like south
Lebanon, Gaza or the West Bank.
The key to peace and stability for the region as well as progress, freedom,
democracy and human rights for the people of Iran rests in dealing effectively
with a bloodstained tyranny that now aspires to equip itself with nuclear
weapons and its menacing surrogates around the world with a nuclear
umbrella.
So long as the ruling establishment in Iran continues to retain its agonizing
stranglehold over our abused people, nothing will change aside from the fact
that the danger posed to humanity and our way of life will only increase as we
move forward in time.
However, it is my view that we are now at the edge of a new era where the
fundamentalist dictatorship in my country may finally be forced to relinquish
its hold on power. I am more hopeful today than any time in the past 30 years
as well as convinced that any such change in Iran would have a tremendous
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and potentially immediate effect in other troubled hotspots like the Israel‐
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Palestine theatre as well as places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, and will
in time lead to a situation whereby troublesome elements such as the Taliban,
Al Qaeda and other radical groups may become more easily harnessed or
contained.
I am optimistic because the Iranian presidential election of 2009 has proved to
be a most controversial and politically damaging event in the 31 year old
history of the Islamic Republic. With hindsight, it is easy to see that the
resultant crisis that emerged was not about electoral fraud but rather about a
far deeper malaise having to do with the structure and the ideology of the
Islamic Republic. So in effect what transpired in the streets of Iran was
essentially a crossover of a debate concerning elections to one over
governance and the role of Islam in society.
As a result, the so‐called election of June 2009 has dramatically altered all
previous calculations regarding Iran and has for the first time created a
situation whereby the collapse of the Islamic order that has governed the
country since 1979 is no longer within the realms of wishful thinking.
This is mainly due to the fact that the political environment in Iran has
undergone a process of major realignment that is yet to complete its full cycle
as we speak. Consequently, the order which prior to 2009 had successfully
neutralized numerous domestic and international challenges to its continued
domination of the political scene in Iran in the course of the previous 30 years,
has in my opinion, been irreparably fractured by the kind of purges and
defections provoked which have been instigated by Ahmadinejad and backed
by Khamenei.
However, that is not to say that the fall of the regime is imminent, since a great
deal of work still needs to be carried out for the upcoming coalition before it is
able to put an end to the current nightmare.
But it is certain that the picture has become much clearer and serious
elements can today sense that with prudence and dedication, it is now possible
to see the long sought after light at the end of the tunnel.
I would contend that for the first time, there is a sober realization that it is
impossible for a 747 filled with members of the exiled opposition to ever land
in Iran and form the future government of that country. Moreover, the
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the eyes of any potential future Iranian leadership that it is both undesirable
and counterproductive to contemplate a political future in Iran that is in any
shape or form contingent upon US or outside support. Therefore, it goes
without saying that any legitimate alternative has to be one that is capable of
securing the benediction of the majority of Iranians who are sick and tired of
the current tyranny but are at the same time sceptical of foreign conveniences
that have proved so damaging in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
In short no realistic Iranian politician wants to emulate the likes of Chalabi or
Karzai and what is more no self respecting Iranian would accept such an
alternative. What remains therefore is the creation of a new coalition
consisting of nationalist elements within the country who have served their
nation with diligence and devotion under extremely difficult circumstances and
progressive elements amongst the exiled opposition who are capable of
providing the types of assistance that will be required to end Iran’s
international isolation and begin its process of rejuvenation and
reconstruction.
Such a coalition is at the heart of the strategy that has been announced by
Green Wave. Unlike the Green Movement which ignited hopes and created
international awareness of the true feelings and aspirations of the Iranian
people, we in Green Wave – as clearly spelled in no unmistakable way by our
founder – seek a complete break with the Islamic Republic. We are committed
to consigning this dangerous theocracy that has ruined the name of Islam and
the reputation of our country to the dustbin of history. We will never accept a
modified version of the current theocracy and its undemocratic constitution or
aspire ‐ as some have – for a return to the golden days of Ayatollah Khomeini.
We seek a new start for our nation and we believe that the majority of Iranians
today want nothing less.
We are also aware that most Iranians who have seen the kind of violence and
instability that has rocked the lives of ordinary citizens in Iraq and Afghanistan
are naturally concerned that such a situation should never take place in Iran
once the back of the current system has been broken. It is for this reason that
a document entitled ‘Direction, Responsibilities, and Duration of a Provisional
Government in Iran Under the Supervision of ‘The Supreme Council for
Security and National Interest’ was produced by Green Wave’s Founder, AHJ,
which sought to elaborate and assure all Iranians that it is possible to plan for a
situation whereby the kind of ugly scenarios witnessed in Iraq and Afghanistan
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can be avoided.
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Moreover, the document sought to elaborate in clear and explicit terms the
more or less exact structure of the ruling apparatus, the kinds of key reform
needed, as well as a draft constitution for a future secular and democratic Iran
that would be introduced by the provisional government in the estimated
period of 18 months that it will remain in power prior to holding free elections.
The document also contained provisions that were aimed directly at key
members of the present ruling establishment by saying in quite explicit terms
that by remaining neutral and desisting from any hostile action against the
people at the point of transition, they would receive immunity from
prosecution and their properties would not become subject to confiscation.
However, were they to side against the Iranian people, they would be arrested
and prosecuted by special courts charged with dealing with such matters
during the life of the provisional government.
Finally, it is our belief that many key elements within Iran understand the
predicament that is before our nation at this time. If for no other reason than
sheer self interest, they are quite capable of seeing in clear terms where the
kinds of policies that are being carried out by Ahmadinejad and his band of
radical fundamentalists craving for the emergence of the ‘Mahdi’ which is a
perhaps their version of an ‘Armageddon’ will lead them and our nation.
There is no reason to assume that these key elements are incapable of being
rational or being part of the new political realignment that is taking shape at
this time. It is perhaps too soon for me to elaborate further, suffice only to say
that in the course of the past few months, no fewer than 3 serving senior
diplomats – persuaded by the arguments advanced to them by Jahanchahi ‐
have made such a choice and have openly joined Green Wave. Numerous
other key figures, hitherto unimaginable, have also made similar approaches
which gives credence and credibility to the path we are pursuing at this time.
Before closing, let me say a few words regarding Iran’s nuclear file:
It is now fully clear that the Islamic regime has sent an unambiguous rebuke to
all of President Obama’s goodwill initiatives and gestures. Having offered the
Iranian regime an olive branch and having remained ominously low key in his
condemnation of the regime’s gross violations of human rights in the
aftermath of the brutal clampdown of last summer, the Islamic government’s
only reward for the US has been to play for time while ratcheting up its
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hideous claims last month in the UN that 911 was an American creation
designed to protect the Zionist state.
Today, it is clear that the Iranian government has no intention of honouring
the wishes of the international community with regards to ending its uranium
enrichment or other activities. The question is what can be done about it in the
absence of any meaningful leverage on the part of the US and its European
allies? So far neither the imposition nor the threat of more economic sanctions
or even a potential military strike has been sufficient to deter Iran from
pressing forward with its nuclear agenda.
On the other hand, Iran has for its part has relentlessly pushed forward with its
own policy of leverage building to dissuade the West from taking any action
against it by solidifying its foothold in places like Lebanon, the Palestinian
territories, Iraq, Afghanistan and more recently in Yemen.
It is hard to believe that matters will be allowed to drift on like this for much
longer. There is a most dangerous clock that is ticking, and I am confident that
responsible leaders around the globe are not oblivious to its implications.
Whether any of the new punitive measures enacted as a result of the passage
of UNSCR 1929 in June 2010 will prove sufficient in persuading Iran to change
its nuclear policy will remain to be seen, but I am sure that the clerical regime
in Tehran is now fully aware of the reality that the cost of intransigence is likely
to be significantly higher and potentially more dangerous than ever before.
So let me conclude by saying that I am optimistic about the future, and I am
confident that my compatriots will in the end succeed in supplanting this
tyranny that has brought so much havoc to our lives in the last 30 years. But
the road ahead is anything but easy or straight forward. Ultimate victory will
require great courage and sacrifice on the part of millions of ordinary people in
my country. But the rewards emanating from a peaceful and democratic Iran
will not remain merely confined to Iran. It will be a major catalyst for change,
as policies such as promoting instability, terrorism and proliferation will give
way to notions such as regional cooperation, economic development as well as
the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East region and beyond.
In this regard, every peace loving member of the international community has
a vested interest in the success of the Iranian people, and it is my hope that
they will not desist from supporting them in every which way that they can as
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they gather to confront a brutal regime that is bent on brutalizing and
intimidating them into silence.
Thank You
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