"I am a strong proponent of law, order and justice."

The link below was sent to me by a friend and an active member of the Green Movement. I had written:  "What attracted my attention was the threat made by Dr. Habibollah Payman, if their offer with regards to prisoners is not accepted. My point is how can any authority decide to release prisoners if they have violated the laws of the land, burning the public and private properties, and causing the deaths of other human beings? Eradatmand, Ardeshir Ommani 

The following posting by a member of the AIFC is a response to the above email and statement with regard to release of "political" prisoners in Iran, per this link:
Dr. Habibollah Payman: Iran's Political Structure

"Dear Ardeshir Ommani,         February 07, 2010

Thank you so much for your email regarding the Dr. Payman’s interview.

Per this interview, and my previous understandings, the Green Party’s main issue is free election within the Islamic Republic constitution, which, “has not been implemented”. Dr. Payman’s point in this matter refers to, not only in the last election, but in any other previous elections.

We need to remember that Dr. Payman is NOT a member of the Green Party. He is a political activist from the “Muslim Movement Activist”.  He calls for peaceful demonstrations by the Green Party during the 22nd of Bahman ceremony. I, from the AIFC, push further than what he suggests; I think there should be no demonstrations by the Green Party at all in that day. One never can anticipate what kind of mess mobs can create among the masses of people.

With regard to the political prisoners in Iran, there has to be innocent, non-rioters, and also extremists (who strongly believe in their cause, like a lot of people, especially youngsters), among those prisoners.  I am a strong proponent of law, order, and justice. I also am a believer in that saying, “It’s better to let a thousand guilty men go free than to convict one innocent person”.

There is something called justice, but also there is something called diplomacy, thoughtfulness, and /or politics, that need to be considered in this situation. With all that said, I think it is a good politics that the government of Iran politicized two or three extreme riot cases. Bring about strong evidence against them and charge them with the destruction of properties. Having political prisoners in general, especially in today’s Iranian political atmosphere, is the least desirable policy.

No opposing political party is responsible for rioters. I am sure they were delighted of the demonstrations. We need to remember that the people of Iran had been quiet for at least 8 eight years.

At the end, I think or at least I hope that almost all the eleven million voters, Green or otherwise, are not as much against Ahmadinijad, if any, as they are for more freedom in Iran. The timing of those demands is my question. On that, I trust the wisdom of those eleven million voters, like Dr. Habibollah Payman, in this matter. "

Submitted by: Ahmad Aleagha

What is Going On With The Recent Unrest?

This piece was written by a sympathizer of the American Iranian Friendship Committee, with the intention of inviting comments and discussion of his ideas. We therefore encourage responses and polite debate. Please send your comments/analysis to: AIFC@optonline.net and put in the Subject Line: Response to Unrest in Iran. Thank you! AIFC Editors


What is going on in the political arena in Iran is what started in the midterm of President Khatami--the formation of two distinct political parties, which most recently declared their existences during the last presidential election. These two established parties were so well known to the Iranian people for so many years, to the point where each party had its own candidate in the final round of the presidential election. The result of the election: Mr. Ahmadinijad (fundamentalists/principalists), with 21 million votes, and Mr. Mousavi (green party/reformists), with 11 million votes.

The election was an appropriate time for the Green Party to announce itself. By marching in the streets at first peacefully, they were showing their discontent with the election results. Later demonstrations turned into riots, using election fraud as their slogan. The principalists also declared their enormous numbers in the streets later. After the issuance of Mr. Mousavi’s letter of “national unity/concession”, Tehran has been quiet.

These events are normal for a new democracy. From all these events, one may conclude: first, there is enough democracy in Iran that allows such demonstrations; second, that Iranians can resolve their differences; and third, that American dollars with its propaganda machine have failed.

The world should recognize that democracy and freedom are stronger now than ever in Iran. Iranians are trying to “walk and chew gum at the same time”, meaning defeat the Imperialists and seek more freedom, concurrently. Iran needs more time for its people to develop, because educated people are often the agents of change.

The Principalists are also for change: “Our problem in Iran is not the woman’s dress code,” Mr. Ahmadinijad said. The Green Party is also against any friendly relationship with the United States: “We did not send any letters to them, like some people did,” Mr. Mousavi wrote.

Iranians now are proving that they are ready to be freed from some of these strict and religious rules, which were established, in part, to combat the Imperialists. The political leaders once more proved that no matter how big their differences are, at the end of the day they unite.

Iran should not have any friendly relationship with the United States and its cronies; otherwise, Tehran would turn into the center of terrorist activity by those neighboring countries oppressed by the United States. Also, depending on the terms and the extent of a relationship with the U.S., Iran’s interests can go either way. It has the potential for Iran to lose its allies around the globe, face economic sanctions and even bombardment and war. Because of its strategic location, its oil, and its growing political power in the Middle East, Iran is important to both the West and the East. Iran needs to benefit from the attention and relations with both sides. Many of the political leaders in Iran have proven to be savvy. Misters Larijani, Khatami, Ahmadinejad, and Mousavi are among the prime examples. Iranian political leaders have done well for the people so far, considering the messy political world situation caused by the powerful oligarchies based in America, Israel, and England. Now is the time for the slogans to say, “With the East AND with the West”.

Mr. Ahmadinejad put emphasis on education, similar to his predecessors. Again, education enables people to change society for the better.

There is no room for violence. It’s obvious not all Green Party members are rioters, but the government needs to punish those who in fact did riot. Mr. Mousavi himself denounced the rioters.

Active democracy was in full swing during this last election in Iran, shown by the fact that 85% of the eligible voters went to the polls and cast their ballots, which beats any western election in modern history. The rate of political progress is directly proportional to the percentage of moderates in a society. In the Iranian political system, there is no need for extremism. Support for one party, at the cost of unjustifiably smashing the other, creates a wedge among Iranians.

But dividing up the Iranian people is exactly what the Imperialists want, and this should not be allowed to continue.

The question now is whether there are enough moderates in Iran to “walk and chew gum at the same time”, meaning to both keep the struggle for independence going while also striving for more freedom.

Submitted by Ahmad Aleagha