Sunday
Sep062009
Iran Analysis: How Important is the Mousavi Statement?
Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 9:10
Text: Mousavi Statement to “Green Path of Hope” (5 September)
The Latest from Iran (6 September): The Reformists Speak
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It took 48 hours but, after the assertion of Presidential authority with the approval of the Ahmadinejad Cabinet and the cancellation of events such as the Qadr Night ceremony at the Khomeini shrine, the Green movement fought back yesterday.
There were the criticisms from reformist members of Parliament, both of the Revolutionary Guards' threats against leaders like former President Khatami and Mousavi Khoeniha and of the cancellation of the Khomeini shrine event, where Khatami was due to speak. There was Mehdi Karroubi's vigorous statement that he would "defend the values of the revolution and the nation’s interests as long as he lives".
And then there was the statement of Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Our sharp readers will have noticed our impression that, over the last month, Mousavi was either being pushed or was withdrawing to the sidelines of this conflict. Yesterday he tried to assure his followers (and his enemies) that this was not the case.
We've published the English translation in a separate entry. Let's just say here that this is a rousing call for "The Green Path of Hope". It is forthright in setting out both a defense of the post-election movement and its difficulties it has faced from a regime "creating crises and catastrophes and keeping away from any attempt to solve the problems and quandaries in society". And it declares "a crucial necessity to take a social approach (instead of only a political approach) to solving the current conflict".
Mousavi's implication is that a head-on political challenge to President Ahmadinejad is not going to bring results, given the power that the regime holds through security forces and Parliament's unwillingness to force a showdown. So, to bring about "restoration of...forgotten objectives" of the Islamic Revolution, Mousavi is proposing a "broad social movement to repair and create some of the most fundamental political foundations that will influence all affairs of the country and provide the essential needs of various committees and parties for proper and fruitful activism".
This may dissatisfy some activists as a diversion from the political arena. On the other hand, Mousavi is pointing to a longer-term effort, building links within and across sections of Iranian society to ensure that resistance --- on religious, legal, economic, and social grounds --- is maintained and to build pressure for change.
It should also be noted, contrary to some initial reports, that the statement is not void of political objectives. Mousavi sets out nine demands, including a "truth-finding commission", a revision of election laws, punishment of those committing post-election abuses and crimes, release of detainees, and freedom of the press. Together with the efforts of Mehdi Karroubi and others, the platform maintain a focus on the Achilles' heel for the regime: the continued system of detentions, "confessions", and trials.
The Latest from Iran (6 September): The Reformists Speak
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
It took 48 hours but, after the assertion of Presidential authority with the approval of the Ahmadinejad Cabinet and the cancellation of events such as the Qadr Night ceremony at the Khomeini shrine, the Green movement fought back yesterday.There were the criticisms from reformist members of Parliament, both of the Revolutionary Guards' threats against leaders like former President Khatami and Mousavi Khoeniha and of the cancellation of the Khomeini shrine event, where Khatami was due to speak. There was Mehdi Karroubi's vigorous statement that he would "defend the values of the revolution and the nation’s interests as long as he lives".
And then there was the statement of Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Our sharp readers will have noticed our impression that, over the last month, Mousavi was either being pushed or was withdrawing to the sidelines of this conflict. Yesterday he tried to assure his followers (and his enemies) that this was not the case.
We've published the English translation in a separate entry. Let's just say here that this is a rousing call for "The Green Path of Hope". It is forthright in setting out both a defense of the post-election movement and its difficulties it has faced from a regime "creating crises and catastrophes and keeping away from any attempt to solve the problems and quandaries in society". And it declares "a crucial necessity to take a social approach (instead of only a political approach) to solving the current conflict".
Mousavi's implication is that a head-on political challenge to President Ahmadinejad is not going to bring results, given the power that the regime holds through security forces and Parliament's unwillingness to force a showdown. So, to bring about "restoration of...forgotten objectives" of the Islamic Revolution, Mousavi is proposing a "broad social movement to repair and create some of the most fundamental political foundations that will influence all affairs of the country and provide the essential needs of various committees and parties for proper and fruitful activism".
This may dissatisfy some activists as a diversion from the political arena. On the other hand, Mousavi is pointing to a longer-term effort, building links within and across sections of Iranian society to ensure that resistance --- on religious, legal, economic, and social grounds --- is maintained and to build pressure for change.
It should also be noted, contrary to some initial reports, that the statement is not void of political objectives. Mousavi sets out nine demands, including a "truth-finding commission", a revision of election laws, punishment of those committing post-election abuses and crimes, release of detainees, and freedom of the press. Together with the efforts of Mehdi Karroubi and others, the platform maintain a focus on the Achilles' heel for the regime: the continued system of detentions, "confessions", and trials.
Reader Comments (9)
Mousavi and the green movement have been talking the talk for a while now but have not walked the walk...many people stuck out their necks for him and unless he comes out in force and prays to god that the people will follow him to the streets again, it does not look good for him. He can not lead on words alone...
Quds Day (18 Sept.) and "Eyde Fetr" (which i think is at the end of Ramadan on sept 20) is really do or die for mousavi....
As my dad use to say when I was a kid, there is no taxes on words...
It is foolish to be asking for much from Mousavi when you are dealing with the IRGC machinery. this needs to be a grassroots efforts by the people and Mousavi needs to nudge the movement in the direction which will result in a success every once in a while.
He has been nearly perfect in his moves these few months. As many have already said, this is a marathon, not a sprint!
People chant "independence, freedom, jomhori Irani" note the "Islam" word eliminated. Mousavi keeps emphasizing "Islamic revolution" and "Islamic values". The thich head is not willing to realize people have had it w/ "Islamic" ways, and the 30 years has shown its true face. People will not be poised to demonstrate for "Islamic" values but for democracy and secular Gov. no one is willing to sacrifice his/her life for something already have tasted. Mousavi's main goal is to save Islamic Regime and return it to Khomeini’s 1979. But we know what that means: another 30 years of oppression and tyranny. The Guardians may be changed with mousavi but the principles are intact. "Velayat Faqih" is the main problem. What is Mousavi’s stand on this? Does he want to keep it and put his own favor up there or does he want to abolish it? Someone should ask mousavi.
@ Free-Iran
Yes this is not a sprint but there is a fine line between doing to much or to little. Unless Mousavi acts soon he is going very dangerously in the too little zone.
@Essi55
One can not expect Mousavi to be to to much of a Revolutionary. This bythe simple fact that Mousavi is wanting change from within in a position of very little power (unlike the former USSR where change came from the top). He needs to be repackage his ideals in a ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY way. Having said that one has to note that even if his own ways and his own ideals are pro democracy and pro secularism, what are the ideals of his allies, He can not pull this off alone, and he is backes by people like Hashemi, The Marja's, Qom etc, so even if he come to power he needs to pay them back, Same as the US presidents have to answer to all the billions being poured into their election campaign by lobby groups.
At the same time People like Mousavi, Karoubi and Khatami also have to answer to the public, they know how the chips lie on the table and they realise change in needed. Perhaps this can mean gradual change.
Still your point that the choice in Iran for the moment is (Clerics vs the Guards) is something that we have discussed here in detail before. People in Iran also realise this and know that even the least of the two evils is still far from their own ideals, yet in a country were every little bit of hope is so scarse to come by, people tend to follow even a leader who gives them that little bit of hope.
"He needs to be repackage his ideals in a ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY way." Of course Mousavi is a liar and a farce leading a movement for western values pretending to uphold the legacy of Ayatollah Khomeini. It is time for him to crawl back into his cave and let Iran continue on its march to regional preeminence.
[...] der Osten-Sacken Enduringamerica mit einer Übersetzung der jüngsten Stellungnahme Moussavis und einer akuraten Analyse, was sie bedeuten könnte. Veröffentlicht in Hintergrund, News. Kommentar schreiben [...]
Look, I read the statement, and I found it far more revolutionary than others here. Saying that only the people should determine the government should set off major alarm bells for Khamenei He touched on free press, free expression, and equality under the law.
Most of all, notice how he chose what history to use. Yes, quite a bit is post-’79, but at least twice he invokes pre-Revolution history by referencing the Constitutional Revolution 0f 1906-1911. He does so in accord with the idea of fulfilling Iran’s long journey to freedom.
Finally, not ONE direct mention of the Leader. That’s almost more damning than if he had.
[...] here: Iran Analysis: How Important is the Mousavi Statement? | Enduring … Share and [...]
[...] Iran Analysis: How Important is the Mousavi Statement? Posted by: Scott Lucas in Middle East & Iran Iran Analysis: How Important is the Mousavi Statement? | Enduring America It took 48 hours but, after the assertion of Presidential authority with the approval of the Ahmadinejad Cabinet and the cancellation of events such as the Qadr Night ceremony at the Khomeini shrine, the Green movement fought back yesterday. There were the criticisms from reformist members of Parliament, both of the Revolutionary Guards’ threats against leaders like former President Khatami and Mousavi Khoeniha and of the cancellation of the Khomeini shrine event, where Khatami was due to speak. There was Mehdi Karroubi’s vigorous statement that he would “defend the values of the revolution and the nation’s interests as long as he lives”. And then there was the statement of Mir Hossein Mousavi. Our sharp readers will have noticed our impression that, over the last month, Mousavi was either being pushed or was withdrawing to the sidelines of this conflict. Yesterday he tried to assure his followers (and his enemies) that this was not the case. We’ve published the English translation in a separate entry. Let’s just say here that this is a rousing call for “The Green Path of Hope”. It is forthright in setting out both a defense of the post-election movement and its difficulties it has faced from a regime “creating crises and catastrophes and keeping away from any attempt to solve the problems and quandaries in society”. And it declares “a crucial necessity to take a social approach (instead of only a political approach) to solving the current conflict”. Mousavi’s implication is that a head-on political challenge to President Ahmadinejad is not going to bring results, given the power that the regime holds through security forces and Parliament’s unwillingness to force a showdown. So, to bring about “restoration of…forgotten objectives” of the Islamic Revolution, Mousavi is proposing a “broad social movement to repair and create some of the most fundamental political foundations that will influence all affairs of the country and provide the essential needs of various committees and parties for proper and fruitful activism”. This may dissatisfy some activists as a diversion from the political arena. On the other hand, Mousavi is pointing to a longer-term effort, building links within and across sections of Iranian society to ensure that resistance — on religious, legal, economic, and social grounds — is maintained and to build pressure for change. It should also be noted, contrary to some initial reports, that the statement is not void of political objectives. Mousavi sets out nine demands, including a “truth-finding commission”, a revision of election laws, punishment of those committing post-election abuses and crimes, release of detainees, and freedom of the press. Together with the efforts of Mehdi Karroubi and others, the platform maintain a focus on the Achilles’ heel for the regime: the continued system of detentions, “confessions”, and trials. [...]