Plotting by Americans or Iranians ?

Strained and severed , relations between Iran and America are now facing a new challenge. American officials have been making allegations, during the past days accusing Iran of plotting to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in the US. The media orchestration of this news and the platform on which the accusations stand have been for many observers, reminiscent of the scenario that  Collin  Powell, the American Defense Secretary had put forward for the  Congress in 2003, referring to alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.  After no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, under pressure from anti war activists, Powell was forced to admit in 2007 that he had provided false evidence at that time.

Now, the world is witness to the unfolding of a similar scenario against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Many observers, including former CIA and State Department analysts such as Gary Sick, believe that the evidence provided against Iran is inconclusive and even though Iran has lost the confidence of many Western governments, such scenarios cannot justify any offensive against Iran.  A New York Times Blog (The Lede)
 http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/iran-experts-ponder-an-alleged-terror-plots-b-movie-qualities/ brings up serious questions as to the authenticity of the evidence and the skepticism that many observers have in this regard. Even the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/13/obama-us-toughest-sanctions-iran?newsfeed=true takes a cautious note in its report on the matter and notes: Obama says the US wil impose tough sanctions,despite growing scepticism over the amateurish nature of the plot and the apparently shambolic background of the main suspect. 

The unresolved political stalemate after the 2009 elections in Iran has created many political tensions in the internal scene and left the educated intellectuals discontented with a government now struggling with charges of embezzlement and other scandals. In addition to suppression of reformist activity, the internal strife among the Principalists rival groups in power has also aggravated the situation.

In spite of all said, all political  groups in Iran  are united on one front against any foreign manipulation or intervention. No Iranian political group will support the current unsubstantiated propaganda campaign which seems to provide some political space for the American government in dealing with its internal economic and political crises, like the growing Occupy Wall Street Movement.  Former President Khatami recently gave a message reiterating the fact that he believes that pressures and intimidation against Iran are unjustified. He also made it clear that  the government should not make any pretext for foreign intimidation. He firmly stressed that all political groups including the reformists are united in their position on matters of national security and integrity.

A Street in Tehran Named After an American Woman

We approved a street in Tehran to be named after Rachel Aliene Corrie in the Tehran City Council last Tuesday. This street was named after an American activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003.

Corrie, a pro-Palestinian activist from Washington, was trying to prevent what she and other campaigners believed was a push by the Israeli military to demolish nearby Palestinian homes. She was 23 at the time of her death. I think this was the first time an Iranian street has been named after a US national since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Before the Revolution, we had at least three high streets in the Iranian capital which were named after former US presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, John F Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. They were all changed to revolutionary names later. Eisenhower was changed to Azadi or freedom. Roosevelt was changed to Mofatteh , a revolutionary figure martyred in that street. Now we have a street named after an American citizen, not a President, but a hero and martyr for humanity. Considering the recent news that the Israeli government has approved 1600 new houses to be built in occupied Jerusalem , this decision of the Tehran Council is a strong sign of ongoing support for Palestinians . Nevertheless, considering the escalation of violence in Syrian cities many Iranians also sympathize with Syrian protesters , many feel that they have much in common with them.

On a similar move, I made a proposal last week to name a street after Ameneh Bahrami the Iranian woman who pardoned the convict who had sprayed acid in her face and had permanently disfigured her face and left her blind. She pardoned him only after the man was convicted  and was set for Ghesas meaning legal compensation or retribution in which he would be blinded with acid. Ameneh made it clear that she wanted this to be a lesson for men who practiced this inhuman act.  She also  has set a mark for those who did not understand that in pardoning and forgiveness there were great  lessons for all. "She is a heroine who deserves recognition", I said in the Council . "The Iranian society needs compassion and forgiveness above all , we need to disseminate the message of forgiveness in order to confront the hatred and violence in our society." I noted.

The Anniversary of a Coup d'etat

The Center for Peace and Environment (CPE) held its annual General Assembly session last Thursday. About 60 members attended the meeting, in which the Executive Director, Dr. Sedique Babran delivered a report on the Center's activities for the past year. In light of the very difficult circumstances we faced last year, the Center was not as active as before. We had a very important session before elections last year entitled "Expectations of the Environment from the President" .Along with large group of NGOs and experts in this field, we proposed a plan for environmental protection for the next President. The approved plan was taken up by most candidates and Mir Hossein Mousavi even convened a session on the matter, which was attended by a very large numbers of activists and environmentalists from around the country.  Later, after the disputed elections and the ensuing events   the CPE,  like many other NGOs was not very active. This Assembly approved the Director's fiscal report and elected an Inspector for the Board as routine.

Today, the 28th of Mordad is the anniversary of the American coup d'etat against the nationalist government of Dr. Mohammad Mosadegh in 1953. Operation Ajax was aimed at toppling the Prime Minister and reinstating the Monarchy who had fled the country considering the growing power of nationalist and religious revolutionary forces. The event brought a terrible blow to the democratic processes of Iran and returned, Iran to 25 years of dark despotism and backwardness . The Shah then, indebted to the US for protecting his throne became a subservient servant to protect American interests in the Persian Gulf. Iran was coined as the Gendarme of the Region, for more than 60,000 Armed American forces were stationed in military bases in Iran. While in a state of  hypocrisy, common to the cold war era, Americans claimed to lead the world to freedom and democracy, the case in Iran was totally moving in the opposite direction. These double standards led the Iranian nation to stand up during the Islamic Revolution  in 1978 and oust the Shah and establish a Republic based on Islamic standards. Even though  American Secretary of State, Madeline Albright,  during the Clinton administration presented an official apology , the event has left  a deep scar in the history of Iran. Many observers believe that the current democratic challenges and pressures on Reformists, are rooted in such tragic policies of Western powers.
Incorrect American policies during the Islamic Revolution and since then up to now, has strengthened the walls of mistrust between the two countries now for decades. In many international gatherings when we discussed the history of the Revolution and the Takeover of the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979, many observers believed that the American staged coup d'etat of 1953 set a legitimate stage for the skepticism and suspicion that led to the student takeover in 1979.
We still today, stand in a quagmire of mistrust complicated by the bullish approach of a former superpower that needs to learn how to engage in dialogue  not  as a superior, but as equals.

The Rapprochement

"As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us," American President Obama has recently said in an interview with Al Arabyia.
"It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran."he said.

Iranian press is full of new and reactions on these developments. Some sound optimistic ,others are very cautious. The official National TV is however, restraining the news and analysis.

Iran is top on the agenda for not only the US President, but Secretary of State Clinton as well as UN Representative Susan Rice, who all commented on the US strategy on dealing with Iran. Even much has been said on that tone in Davos ,although the Erdogan -Peres debacle which has turned Erdogan into a national hero has topped the news on that matter.

The reality is that Americans do not have a clean reputation in Iran or in the Islamic world for that matter. They need to engage in confidence building strategies before any successful rapprochement occurs.

For the Islamic Republic ,there is no reason to pursue an antagonistic position if it sees any change in the tone and policy of Americans. I think the Government of President Ahmadinejad is prepared to engage within the well defined policy lines of the Supreme Leader. He is however, not the final decision maker on such matters which are classified as national security issues. Three issues have made things more difficult for both Americans and Iranians. First, the terrible assault of Israel against the civilian Gazan population, leaving about 400 children killed along with the biased support of the US government. Second, is the highly polarized political atmosphere in Iran in face of the up-coming presidential elections. Reformists have serious criticism on the economic and general performance of the government and this is giving them a difficult time internally. Third, are the attempts that seem to be pursued by satellite TV programs and other types of US funded activities which are endangering the civil society and internal opposition activity. The US Congress adopted funds to support opposition groups unaware of the fact that most Iranians active in the civil society or human rights activists seriously refrain from accepting any foreign assistance under such pretexts for fear that they would jeopardize their credibility not only in face of the Government but in face of the people as well. This American policy has put the civil society in Iran in difficult circumstances.

In any case , the rapprochement between Iran and the US needs more effort and action from the American side. For the moment it seems that the Iranian government is cautiously keen to pursue this line as it will positively influence their political conditions for the imminent elections.

Mr. Obama Your Silence is Complicity

We are facing extraordinary times. The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has passed the limits of humanitarian disaster, it is an evident crime against humanity. Now, more than 1000 civilians have been killed, while European surgeons in Gaza believe that very few combatants have been killed. The statistics indicate that over 230 children have been killed, in addition to over 90 women. Israel has now resorted to phosphorous bombs, in addition to the cluster and napalm bombs used before. Independent analysts believe that Israel should be taken to the World Court for its evident war crimes. The relative silence of world governments , excluding of course, Iran, Venezuela and Bolivia and a few others that have severed or downgraded ties with Israel, is again a clear indication of the hypocritical mentality governing today's world.

Mr. Obama, you are stepping into the world stage in very sensitive times. You have promised to change the current policies and the expectations of many in your country and worldwide are anticipating that change. Hundreds of innocent humans and children have been sacrificed in the past weeks due to the biased policies of the American government in support of Israel. Up to now, you have been surprisingly complacent and silent in face of these crimes against humanity. The reality is, Mr. Obama that your silence is complicity.

The Obama Season

There has been extensive coverage and much attention on the American elections in Iranian media over the past week. Even while the Iranian President had initially predicted that Obama would not be allowed to become President, he congratulated the President -elect in a message impressing many Iranians and others alike. Although many Iranians and most political groups reformist and principalist are hopeful that President Obama will bring a change in American foreign policy , many are yet skeptical and feel that he may not be able to keep his promises. The question that many put forward is how profound and genuine is the 'change' that Obama will bring about in the directions that the Administration has been taking for the past years. Will he stand firm to change the domineering and militaristic policies America has pursuing for the past decades? Will he keep the spirit of multilateralism that he professed in his famous Berlin speech or will he succumb to the imperial policies of the conservative elements in Washington? There are many historical and political reasons for Iranians to be cautious in expressing their content for seeing a new President after Bush in the White House. Can President -elect Obama gain their trust and confidence after more that three decades of a " tall wall of mistrust"? It remains to be seen .

Jewish Rabbis, Quds Day and Zionism

I met a group of anti Zionist Rabbi in Tehran , in 2005 on the sidelines of the International Conference on Environment , Peace and Dialogue Among Civilizations. As the Vice President of Iran I welcomed them and stressed upon the difference that we see between Judaism and Zionism and our common Abrahamic values. I also met some Rabbis from France in the sidelines of the Arctic Cruise I attended last year in Greenland. In reaction to a Russian Scientist who said in her speech that divine religions have nothing to say about the environment , I told them if leaders of Abrahamic Religions had worked together on the valuable themes projected in the Torah, the Bible or the Quran on nature and conservation , this Russian lady would have known better than to say such incorrect words. They were first taken aback, hearing this from me from Iran, but then they appreciated it and agreed that we need to work on some of the common themes that we have and to emphasize on the unity of the Abrahamic tradition.

Our President spoke at the UN General Assembly a couple days ago, I believe he stroke a more moderate and reasonable tone. Even though most of what he has to say has been the core themes in Iranian foreign policy for a long time now, I would not agree with the way he put his speech , as if it were a sermon, nor would I emphasize so much on the differences and disparities in today's world.

We are celebrating the Day of Quds today. What began in Iran as a proposal by Imam Khomeini to support the Palestinian cause is now an international campaign marked by worldwide rallies. In many international fora, I have said that the unresolved issue of Palestine, the historical facts and the conditions of Palestinian people today all point to the inability or the unwillingness of the international community, the Security Council and its apparatus to resolve the matter. Quds is a standing symbol of global mismanagement, a reminiscence of the double standards that govern today's world, a sign of continuing injustices that plague humanity . The plight of millions of displaced people , who are now living for more than 2 generations in refugee status in camps with very dire conditions is now easily dismissed in negotiations, the plight of millions living in siege in Gaza or the inhuman conditions of Apartheid in the West Bank are overlooked and forgotten.
I do not agree with the denial of the Holocaust, it occurred and it was a tragedy for humanity which will always be condemned . I do however agree with the question that why should the Muslim Palestinians who resided in Palestine for generations, why should they suffer for the crimes committed by the Germans in Europe?
The expansionist and racist stipulates of the Elders of Zion and the outrageous crimes committed in the name and by Zionist regimes are well known to the international community. More important today is the influence and dominion that Zionism has in American political and economic apparatus. I have spoken with many Americans who are now very fearful of the pivotal role that the Zionist lobby plays in American politics and the dreadful role that they play in manipulating American foreign and national security polity to serve the interests of the State of Israel first and above all. The American public have not realized that the prosperity and good life that they enjoy , is in part due to the sufferings that their government has inflicted upon nations in the world . They need to understand that if they believe in the democratic nature of their political system then they are accomplices in the actions of their politicians and will be held accountable for the policies of their government .
The understanding has grown, after 9-11, but more after the 33 day war in Southern Lebanon and the human tragedy Israel created by attacking civilian areas and targeting freedom fighters. The Palestinians have resisted occupation, terror and war for several decades now, their cause is a symbol of injustice and oppression in the world. For this reason it becomes a duty for every liberal, freedom seeking and enlightened fellow human being to stand up to this entity and to voice their protest and objection and to uphold the truth for the sake of their own dignity and future .
The Palestinians have the right to a State and the right to decide for their future. The question is where do we stand on this matter?

Clinton and Obama, The Lost Anima

Amidst a very busy week that I had due to endless ceremonies and activities for Earth Day celebrations in the City Council and with the NGOs, I've had a glimpse of BBC and English Aljazeera every night.

I was lucky to see parts of the recent morning debate of Senators Clinton and Obama and particularly that suspicious question dealing with Iran. They were asked :"what would you do if Iran nuked Israel?". The intentional inclusion of such a question in the debate was an outright attempt to create a delusion for the audience, inferring that Iran has nuclear warfare capability (which American security reports have denied), and that they might employ it against Israel.

More important however, was the approach that each of the two Senators took in their responses. Clinton, trying to look very stern, went too far in trying to convey a sense of power using the phrase "... we will attack Iran and obliterate it". Obama took a different approach, while also responding forcefully, Obama said that he did not find the employment of such terms as obliterate useful and said he thought that the correct choice of words was important, he also said that he would respond forcefully.

Thinking about the feminine archetypes which I believe are needed in the management of global affairs, I had come across a clear example. On the basis of Jungian psychoanalysis, I have written and spoken about the anima ( the feminine archetypes such as compassion and love) and the animus ( masculine archetypes such as strength, mathematical order, and control)and about the need for a balance in these archetypes not only within individuals but also at the level of global decision making. I believe that in the current world order the anima has very little influence and say.

When I heard Hillary talk, I felt she had so strongly denied her anima to remain in the race. She had mistaken ruthless revenge for firmness and strength. Does Clinton for one moment think that she can obliterate a 70 million nation like Iran? She has not learned her lessons.

Obama had responded with a thoughtful ,balanced and more rational approach. Here we have the case of a man who is capable of displaying some anima in his words and a woman who denies her womanhood to gain power.

Negotiations with the US

Etemad a daily newspaper of the reformist camp published an interview last week with John Limbert one of the political officers of the American Embassy who was held hostage by the revolutionary students in 1979 a few months after the Islamic Revolution. Limbert stressed that he believed relations between the two countries were unhealthy after the 1953 Coup d'etat against the nationalist priminister Dr. Mohammad Mosadegh.

He said he believed that in addition to the foreign factor there were other elements that provided support for the Shah's dictatorial regime but circumstances were such that everyone thought the regime relied only on the US for its existence. He pointed to a reality and an image and said that in the takeover of the American embassy the Iranians saw the image. He acknowledged that granting entrance to the US for the deposed Shah was a strategic mistake.

Paul Newsom a former deputy Secretary of State also had mentioned the fact that he and even President Carter initially opposed the idea but gave in to the pressures by David Rockefeller and Henry Kissinger (More about this at New York Times).

Limbert regrets the fact that relations between the two countries have been in a deadlock and attempts to improve them were always thwarted by parties who do not want to see this happening.He said he believed there were many reasons for the two countries to work together on the basis of their mutual interests.

I think this was a noteworthy interview and being published by a reformist newspaper I think it is an indication of the sensitive times we have ahead of us. Inspite of the harsh rhetoric that the neoconservative administration is using against Iran , I think there are many people within the system who believe in changing the approach. The neocons are not ready to relinquish their arrogant tone and policy vis a vis Iran. Bilateral negotiations for the future of Iraq, cooperation on issues like terrorism and narcotics , increased exchanges at the non governmental level are issues that should be promoted.

Constant threats and pressure for sanctions and regime change and adopting 75 million dollar bills to weaken Iran are futile tactics that only serve to increase security pressures leading to more difficult times for the civil society, independent social and political activists and independent media. In short it serves as a major impediment for democracy in Iran.

Americans and Democracy in Iran

I voted yesterday with millions of Iranians.The nationwide voter turnout is estimated to be between 55-60%. The Reformists could compete for only about one third of the 290 seats in the Majlis due to the widespread disqualification of the Council of Guardians. Nevertheless the Reformists are hopeful, since they are well aware of their high popularity among the people. It is clear that people take part in elections with high hopes vested in change for the better.
Regional and international developments are noteworthy as well. The English Aljazeera asked for a live telephone interview the other day. They wanted to hear my reaction on the resignition of the Commander of American forces in the region,Admiral Richard Fallon. He had apparently spoken to Esquire newsmagazine about his reluctance to follow the administration's line in planning for a potential attack against Iran. I told them this is a indication of the deepening rifts within the adminstration and the military apparatus on their strategy vis a vis Iran. It is also an indication of the opposition that exists to the radical neocon ideologues. Fallon probably realized that any attack against Iran would ignite the whole region , destablize many other states and thereby begin a chain reaction. He was also aware of the military preparedness of Iran and the fact that the Iranian administration is very very different from Sadam or the Taliban. In any case I told Aljazeera that when these things come up before national elections they negatively influence the democratic processes in our country. If America is true in its claim to support democracy and freedom in the world it should change its antagonistic and arrogant approach on Iran, since that approach has made things more difficult for the democratic movement in Iran.

The American people will bear the costs

The Israeli attacks on Gaza residential areas are unrelenting. They claim they are targetting rocket launchers. An Israeli minister has threatened the Palestinians with a Holocaust for them ! Have you seen some of the footage from the recent attacks? The scenes of injured or killed babies transferred to ambulances or morgues is shocking. But more shocking is the indifference of major international bodies like the UN and the censored reporting of international media. During the past 72 hours more than 100 civilians have been injured, over 35 have been killed, more than 10 among them are children.

The Palestinian people have been suffering under occupation, as refugees or in Israeli prisons now for more than half a century. None of the unimplemented plans for peace have undertaken the plight of the occupied territories or the 4 million refugees. They are overwhelmed by despair. Hamas leaders speak the truth, they reveal the true intentions of the occupiers and their supporters. It is broadly held among political circles that without the unconditional support of the American Government the occupiers could not have gone this far in their excesses.
In another development, in an act of military intimidation, the Americans have deployed two warships to the eastern Mediterranean. In light of the pressures on Hezbollah, the pending Presidential crisis in Lebanon and the very tragic situation in Gaza, this act is viewed with suspicion .

The interference of the American government in the Middle East has a long difficult history . In addition to a handful of pro-US undemocratic regimes, they now have the honor of being largely detested by the public opinion in Muslim countries.
The case of Iran is however paradoxical, while the US has uprooted the Taliban regime whose enmity with Iran was evident, and it also led to demise of the despotic regime of Saddam, but yet at the same time the historical enmity between Iran and the US has not subsided. Today contrary to the NIE report, or the recent IAEA report, which indicate there is no hidden agenda behind Iran's quest for nuclear energy, the US has braced for a propaganda campaign and a third resolution from the security council.
In any case the American people should know that if they live in a free and democratic country they will bear the costs of the adventures of their leaders in this part of the world and they be held accountable for the decisions their leaders are making and for the devastating consequences that those policies have for millions of people in the world.

American Elections : Hillary and the Denial of Feminine Traits

We are closely following American elections here from Iran. The recent Iowa results found their way in top news of both government and independent media in Iran. Many political observers have reasons to believe or speculate that political developments in Iran and the US are somehow interrelated after the Islamic Revolution. A look at the attitudes and rhetoric of Iranian and US Presidents during the past decades implicates some sort of reciprocal behavior between the two. Iran, once considered only an inferior outpost for American governments , has now become a serious rival by all means.

Take, for example, when during reformist President Khatami, Iran reached out to the world to maintain relationships on the basis of mutual interests and dignity; Secretary of State Albright came up with an apology for the CIA engineered Coup-d’état in 1953 which had toppled the nationalist Government of Dr.Mohammad Mosadegh and had plunged the nation into 25 years of dark tyranny and dictatorship. However, when Mr. Bush changed direction to label Iran as a member of the Axis of Evil, the atmosphere in Iran also changed drastically , reformists came under pressure to stiffen their foreign policy and ultimately politics shifted, partly in response to the American aggressive tones, to the very sharp and yet ultraconservative rhetoric of the current administration in Iran.

In any case, as an Iranian involved in politics both in the national and to some extent international domain , I think it is important to provide an independent perspective on global affairs including American elections. Some media have considered the recent Iowa elections to be a political earthquake. In the election process Iowa has always been the first contest, but this time it has proven to be critically important as well. Here, many Iranian analysts are skeptical about the current bipartisan political system in the US. They feel that American politics are heavily influenced by outer forces, including market forces, oil cartels, the military machinery, the media conglomerate , but above all the influential Zionist lobby in Washington. Even if the majority of the American people wish for something, it will not emerge from the election before gaining the consent of those forces. This is the tragic fate of democracy in the US. These analysts believe that ultimately whoever wins, Democrat or Republican , little change will occur in terms of foreign policy and the” arrogant” attitude of the administration.

It seems that the Iraq War has helped Iowan voters decide and over come doubts that they have to take part in the election process. This a doubt that Iranian voters have also faced and this being very related to trust and belief in the possibility for genuine change. 220,000 democrats voted in Iowa which is twice the turnout in 2004. ( It is still less than the votes I individually obtained from the city of Tehran in 2006). They have understood that the system is facing a serious test and if it fails to restore the confidence people lost during this period, they will face more troubles in the future. Realizing the terrible social and economic woes at home and the immense losses they have face abroad, “change” is the key word all candidates employ. It seems that America has reached an impasse where desire for change out powers everything else.

There are two “firsts” in this round of presidential elections, the first black president and the first woman president are major temptations for voters cross cutting through gender and racial issues. Hillary Clinton has feminine appearances, money , organization, party stars and the popular Clinton name. She however lost in Iowa among the women and the whites. There are several possibilities to explain this voter distaste to Hillary.

The first may be, as explained above, the general aversion of the public opinion for anyone who seems to have strong ties to the administration and have supported the current President in some of his critical policies including going to war in Iraq. The second may be the name calling and smearing campaign she has followed in competition with her rivals. She seems to have taken the ethical judgments of the religious American society very lightly. It is interesting to note that we have had a similar challenge in election campaigning in Iran and the worse case emerged during the 2005 election presidential campaigns where contrary to all human and Islamic norms certain candidates relied heavily on the smear campaign for their votes. Interestingly both Iran and America have a very religious social fabric and despite this reality, many candidates on both sides of the divide have failed to demonstrate their ethical integrity. Not to mention that this fact weighs more heavily in a state which claims to be religious and Islamic like Iran. A paradoxical deduction worth contemplating!

Hillary, like many women reaching up to the helm of political power, has resigned from her feminine qualities . She has failed to draw upon her womanhood, her sincere affections , her moral integrity, her altruism and above all her sincerity in this campaign. In this race, Hillary has denied her sublime feminine traits. Hillary has made the mistake in trying to send the message that she is man enough to be president of the United States. She should have claimed she is woman enough to be president.

It is no surprise that Obama has won a remarkable appeal across cultural and racial lines. It may still be too early to say, but it seems that Americans are signaling for change. Americans must know that if they believe in the democratic nature of their political system , each one of them will be held accountable for the decisions they make and the votes that they cast since it will ultimately influence not only the livelihoods of millions of Americans but the lives of billions of others in the world.