The Latest from Iran (21 March): Happy New Year, Mr Ahmadinejad

1750 GMT: It's All About US and Us. A slowish news phase, so the media are focusing on Ayatollah Khamenei's Sunday speech. It's on the lines of the Twitter publicity put out by his office (1330 and 1420 GMT), but this extract is especially provocative:

The enemies wanted to divide the people... and to create a civil war, but the nation was alert. If they were able to do it, the US and Zionist regime would have sent troops to Tehran's streets, but they knew it would hurt them. Thus they spread propaganda and supported the rioters.

1730 GMT: We've posted Iranian New Year videos featuring defiant chants from the opposition.

1440 GMT: Parliament v. President. Islamic Republic News Agency is claiming a fight-back against Parliamentary resistance to Ahmadinejad subsidy reform and spending proposals, quoting Arsalan Fathipour, head of the Parliament's economic commission, "We believe it is not possible to implement the subsidy reform plan at 20,000 billion tomans ($20 billion). So delegates intend to raise the figure to 35-38,000 billion tomans ($35-38 billion)." That would be almost all the $40 billion demanded by the President.

NEW Latest Iran Election Video: Nowruz and the Green Movement
NEW Iran Snap Analysis: A Rights-First Approach in Washington?
NEW Iran Video and Summary: Karroubi’s New Year Message
Latest Iran Video and Transcript: Obama’s Nowruz Message (20 March)
Iran Appeal: Japan’s Deportation of Jamal Saberi
Iran Analysis: Ahmadinejad Fails in Qom? (Verde)
Iran: Inside the Mind of the Interrogator
The Latest from Iran (20 March): Nowruz

1430 GMT: Obama and Iran. Edward Yeranian of the Voice of America claims that there was a "mized" reception amongst "Iranians inside and outside Iran" of President Obama's Nowruz message.


1420 GMT: "Rights" Annoys Khamenei. The emphasis in Barack Obama's Nowruz message on rights for Iran's people has annoyed the Supreme Leader. His office's Twitter barrage continues:

USA President sent letter and message to normalize relations, but his actions was against his words....USA President called distruptives "civil movement" and supported arsonists in recent events....Aren't you ashamed of killing in innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan while talking about Human Rights?

1340 GMT: Winning on the Internet. The Guardian of London offers an interview with Austin Heap, the creator of the Haystack initiative to assist Iranians with access to the Internet, evading regime blocks and protecting their security.

1330 GMT: Everything Most Excellent Here. Really. The Supreme Leader's Twitter machine is extracting English quotes from his Nowruz message. My favourite so far: "Last Iranian year was the nation's year and their victory; a year of seeming presence in glorious arena."

1005 GMT: Speaking of Rights. Nooshabeh Amiri, writing in Rooz Online, considers "Women’s Movement [As] a Prelude to the Green Movement".

1000 GMT: US, Iran, and Rights. We've put our snap analysis of a possible shift in US policy on Iran into a separate ent

0900 GMT: The Ruling of the Umpire. The Iran-based blogger Persian Umpire is back after an absence with three entries: one on the events of 22 Bahman (11 February), one on waiting outside Evin Prison for a detained friend, and one on last week's Chahrshanbeh Suri (Fire Festival) ceremonies.

The summary of the festival offers one of the classic observations of this post-election crisis: "No one gave a certain rodent’s bottom for the fatwa [of Ayatollah Khamenei]. In fact it solidified people’s resolve to come out and celebrate."

0700 GMT: As Iranians celebrate Nowruz, they have been greeted by messages for the New Year. And there is more than a bit of politics behind the best wishes. The most pointed intervention may have come from Mehdi Karroubi, who derided the regime (a "small barge" not a "galleon") as illegitimate. We have the video and a summary.

President Ahmadinejad offered his own message, but the question is whether it has been overshadowed by events which do not point to 1389 as his happiest year. Consider....

As EA's Mr Verde predicted, the President got both a slap and a warning with the release of Hashemi Rafsanjani's relative and political ally Hossein Marashi from prison. Officially, the freedom is only temporary for Nowruz --- Marashi was jailed on Thursday after an appeals court upheld a one-year sentence for "propaganda against the regime". Beyond the official, the political significance will be whether Marashi goes back to prison; if not, it will be a dent in the authority of the Government.

Rooz Online echoes Mr Verde's assessment of an Ahmadinejad failure in his Thursday mission to Qom to get the support of senior clerics, claiming "the chief authorities refused his presence". (Rooz adds a name to those who did meet with Ahmadinejad: Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi.)

In Tehran three lawmakers, prominent in economic discussions, criticised Ahmadinejad for his Friday suggestion of a referendum on his subsidy reform and spending plans, saying he is legally obliged to execute the economic reform plan approved by the Parliament. Gholam Reza Mesbahi Moqaddam, Ali Tavakkoli, and Elyas Naderan  said in ajoint statement, "The president does not have the right to disobey a law which has been approved by the Parliament."

Comments

[Catherine]

Yes? No? Maybe so?
Iranians train Taliban to use roadside bombs
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article7069779.ece

[Catherine]

And this one, too.
Taliban fighters being taught at secret camps in Iran
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7069817.ece

[ange paris]

It was terrible yesterday night in Tehran, "the chants of “God is Great” once again echoed in the sky of Iran from rooftops in protest at the moment the officials were on TV giving their New Year address... No winter can last forever ... We Are Countless" :
http://www.facebook.com/mousavi

[Catherine]

Sorry - this was supposed to go here instead of the 'Gaza is boiling...' thread:

Achtung all EA readers in Germany! Did you know you now have a new cultural project, Iran Haus?

On March 14, a conference was held in Hamburg to commemorate the new cultural project, Iran Haus. Rahim Mashai, Ahmadinejad’s adviser and former head of the Cultural Heritage Foundation, was a featured speaker. The event was held at Hamburg Airport’s Terminal 2 to prevent protestors from disrupting the conference, though a dozen nonetheless managed to assemble with green banners.

The Iran Haus project was initiated by a group of Iranians with German citizenship. Under the banner of “maintaining a cultural dialogue with Iran,” they aim to reaffirm Germany’s economic ties with the Iranian government and to seek opportunities for strengthening trade relations between the two countries.

Read all about it and check out the neatly appropriate ‘Mephisto-Faust’ photo provided for the occasion: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2010/03/a-haus-for-the-islamic-republic.html

[Kevin Scott]

Re: 1420

Scott, there was a question at the NIAC conference about this in the Q/A after the first panel. A woman got up and asked how the U.S. could push human rights in Iran given its problems with Abu Ghraib, Guantanemo, etc, and the fact that the Iranian regime would inevitably hit the U.S. over the head with these things.

This may be another case of hearing the question, because the acoustics in the room and the microphone were poor (to say the least.) However, if I recall, you answered with something about how you protest all civil rights violations in all countries - since you protest Abu Ghraib and Guantanemo, you also protest the civil rights violations of the Iranian regime.

This would have been a great answer if in fact we were talking about Scott Lucas, who has no human rights record (Mrs. EA's complaints of neglect nonwithstanding LOL) Scott Lucas, or the EA blog, can hold everyone to account equally. However, this question more pertains to the U.S., which does have a human rights record.

The Iranian regime defends against the U.S. prodding Iran on human rights almost every time by attacking the U.S.' human rights record. Occasionally Ahmadinejad will pull something out of his hat like "Iranians have more freedom than the people of any country in the world.". However, for the most part, their policy is "The Best Defense Is A Good Offense." And its arguable that few do it better. The regime probably has several people in its employ that focus on nothing but finding potential human rights violations in the West to retaliate with in order to deflect attention from their own issues.

The Iranian regime also frequently pulls a related technique, which is to point out actions of the U.S. and other Western countries involving public safety that do not constitute human rights violations, and then claim the Iranian regime is doing nothing different. For example, they equate riot control in the U.S. with what the Iranian regime is doing with the green movement,

So, in light of all that, I have a question. Lets say that the White House decides on a human-rights first approach. In light of your exquisite performance on Capitol Hill :) , you are summoned to the White House to assist them in formulating their approach. White House advisers request your wise counsel on how best to assert the human rights approach - and especially how to defend against the inevitable attacks and responses by the Iranian regime. What do you advise them?

[Scott Lucas]

Kevin,

I'm a bit tired tonight so this may be a scattered and too-brief answer but:

1. Your case illustrates vividly why the US Gov't should deal with issues like Guantanamo Bay firmly and quickly as well as acknowledging the past errors in US policy and operations. I think Obama realises this --- "we must reconcile values and security" in his Inaugural --- but has fallen short in execution because of the bureaucratic disputes within his Administration.

2. But, even US Government was a role model, respect for sovereignty (and sensible politics) means establishing that USG is not intervening beyond its general sentiment for respect for rights. "Iranians have to make the change" has to be the mantra. In support, USG can support those groups who are developing links in support of Iranians, not through funding but through endorsement of measures for access to and dissemination of information and political, economic, and cultural interchange.

S.

[Arshama]

Catherine,

Thank you so much for this information!
I searched in vain for a relevant website, perhaps the Greenies from Hamburg know more about it. In any case this "cultural" Iran Haus is another fine example for the IRI's massive propagandistic efforts abroad. Holding their commemoration at Hamburg Airport’s Terminal 2 is of course nice news, proving how difficult it has become for the putschists to rally in Germany. I should also mention that this year's 22 Bahman celebrations of the regime had to be cancelled in Berlin and Munich hotels due to fierce protests of Green activists.

In Hamburg they were forced to celebrate on a boat, as Jürgen Elsässer, a German anti-Semitic and radical leftist, reports on his blog, obviously due to the "pressure of the pro-Israeli lobby": http://juergenelsaesser.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/video-iransolidaritat-in-hamburg/

Shouldn't we charter a ship and send AN, the SL and all their crownies within Iran and abroad to the North pole? It would certainly be less expensive than sending them to Mars ;-)

Arshama

[pessimist]

re Catherine # 1 #2

What I liked most in those Taliban comments were (from memory ) " of course the intel services knew about it, as if you 'wiggle your ears in Iran, they know about it'".. So even a taliban fighter recognizes the immense security cloud that exists in Iran today, what more could you want as proof ?

[Samuel]

I'm not sure if this has been posted already but we now have an Iranian CHARLES DE GAULLE!!!

THIS IS FANTASTIC!!! I strongly urge everyone to get behind the heroic Mr. Jahanchachi and his wonderful movement. Just read the man's brilliant, inspiring, earth shaking words. Please, please contribute to this Mullah destroying figure who has suddenly stepped forward from the pages of history when we most need him.

"The opposition cannot lead the street to victory," Jahanchahi said in an interview on the eve of the Iranian new year holiday. "The leaders are not ready to accept a full change of regime. The Iranian people are ready to accept the truth that this regime will not be changed by a velvet revolution. It has to be changed by force."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/19/iran-green-wave-opposition-jananchahi

Iranian exile calls for overthrow of Ahmadinejad Businessman Amir Jahanchahi says he will nurture 'cells of resistance' to force regime change in Tehran
Middle East editor guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 March 2010 15.33 GMT larger

Iranian opposition supporters abroad are being urged to unite in a new Green Wave movement to work towards overthrowing a divided Islamic regime in Tehran.

Amir Jahanchahi, an exiled Iranian businessman, today called on his countrymen to rally round and act more decisively, suggesting that elements of the powerful Revolutionary Guard could be persuaded to turn against the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"The opposition cannot lead the street to victory," Jahanchahi said in an interview on the eve of the Iranian new year holiday. "The leaders are not ready to accept a full change of regime. The Iranian people are ready to accept the truth that this regime will not be changed by a velvet revolution. It has to be changed by force."

Jahanchahi, 49, left Tehran after the 1979 Islamic revolution and has since lived in London and Paris. His father was the country's last finance minister under the shah. Unlike many other Iranian exiles, he has no other citizenship.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, who claims to have won last June's presidential election, has insisted that no one represents his Green movement outside Iran.

Jahanchahi said his Green Wave would be open to any Iranian who subscribed to democratic principles – although it was not clear whether that would exclude monarchists and groups such as the People's Mujahedin, described as terrorists by the US and several other countries.

"It will be a constellation of all the Iranian opposition, not an organisation or a party. I do not represent anyone. I am not Ahmed Chalabi," he said – a reference to the Iraqi exile who was highly influential in Washington before the 2003 US-led invasion but was later discredited.

The movement is to be fronted by Mehrdad Khonsari, a London-based Iranian academic. Plans include convening a group of experts to draw up plans for a provisional government to take power once the regime has been overthrown. Jahanchahi also talked of "flooding the country with money" to support transport strikes that would "bring this regime to its knees", and of setting up a Farsi-language radio station to broadcast into Iran.

Jahanchahi argues that Iranians have proved themselves capable of heroic sacrifice since the disputed election, with scores of dead and thousands of arrests in protests met with a brutal crackdown. In recent weeks the authorities appear to have regained the upper hand.

"I want to transform the cells of discontent into cells of resistance," he said. "I will help people from the regime leave the country and admit to their mistakes." He declined to explain how this would be done.

Jahanchahi is confident, persuasive and evidently wealthy – he lives in a luxurious home in one of London's choicest residential areas and insists money is not a problem. But he is unknown to Iranian opposition supporters at home or abroad. "There are a myriad of these self-publicising and self-proclaimed spokesmen and they are virtually all very dubious indeed," said one Green movement activist.

Jahanchahi compared himself to General Charles de Gaulle, who announced the fight against the Nazis from exile in London in 1940. Last year Jahanchahi published a book in French entitled The Iranian Hitler: Ending Ahmadinejad's Dictatorship.

"The Iranian regime needs to be overthrown by force," he said. "The key to all the problems of the Middle East is in my country. The aim is not just to change the regime. It will happen sooner or later. The question is whether it can happen before Ahmadinejad leads Iran and the region into instability and war."

[Barry]

@SAMUEL

Thanks for that link.

But you really only need to provide a link to the article - not reproduce the whole thing yourself. But I am not too sure whether that sort of link and article is what the Regime really wants to see propagated around the world?? Is it?

I guess some will mock the article and it will resonate with some others - who knows the final outcome at this point?? Perhaps we will all eventually die? Have you ever drunk any cows milk?? It has been proven statistically that all people who have ever drunk cows milk during their lives eventually die.

Barry

[Samuel]

Barry,

"But you really only need to provide a link to the article – not reproduce the whole thing yourself."

I realize that but I'm am just so excited by this brilliant, courageous, fellow and his even more brilliant campaign, and his super heroic and brilliant movement (did I mention that Mr. Jahanchachi was BRILLIANT???) I mean I'm not even sure that the comparison with De Gaulle even does him justice.

"he lives in a luxurious home in one of London’s choicest residential areas and insists money is not a problem". Amazing!!!

“I want to transform the cells of discontent into cells of resistance,” He's like Mandela, Churchill, Imam Khomeini, Napoleon and Disraeli combined.

“I will help people from the regime leave the country and admit to their mistakes.” I understand that Naghdi, the head of the Basij, has already accepted the offer, will confess on the BBC next week, and will then live in "a luxurious home in London"

"Jahanchahi also talked of “flooding the country with money” to support transport strikes that would “bring this regime to its knees”, and of setting up a Farsi-language radio station to broadcast into Iran." Oustanding tactician and strategist of the first order.

[Barry]

@SAMUEL

We may all one day be surprised at what is brewing outside of Iran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-HGEDR5ztI&feature=youtu.be

Barry

[Samuel]

Barry,

It is all wonderful and all thanks to Mr. Jahanchachi. Please contribute generously.

[Aryajet]

@ Samuel

You always manage to come up with the most meaningless and annoying posts of all, specially when you use caps thinking you probably have a point.
One full page of blah blah blah about jahanchahi whom (just like you) has never been taken for real and I can assure the other readers he will never be.
Why don't you get a hobby, or you might want to try some river dancing lessons.

[Samuel]

Aryajet,

Thank you for the kind words. Mr. De Gaulle, excuse me, Mr. Jahanchahi will now be taken seriously. Please contribute generously.

[Barry]

@SAMUEL

It is looking like ALLAWI may have won the Iraqi election??? What are your thoughts on that situation?

Barry

[Megan]

Aryajet,

If you are a mullah you are not allow to river dance and if you do you go to hell; it is Khamenei’s fatwa. Would it not be better if we recommend another hobby for him; something like kissing Khomeini’s rotted A** three times a day or much as his heart desires?

[Catherine]

RE: Iranian exile calls for overthrow of Ahmadinejad Businessman Amir Jahanchahi says he will nurture ‘cells of resistance’ to force regime change in Tehran

Yeah, I saw that last week and thought, "This man has a death wish":-).

[ange paris]

From the beginning of the turmoil in Iran Jahanchahi had made his first statement in sept 2009 ; he's in Paris :

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68uhUw8-6v8

- http://www.google.fr/search?q=amir+jahanchahi&hl=fr&client=firefox-a&hs=KMf&sa=G&rls=org.mozilla:fr-FR:official&channel=s&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=7ESnS54D0rbhBvKjsN8C&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CB4QqwQwAw

[danial]

Iran detains grandson of powerful cleric
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100322/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran

[danial]

EU considers 'jamming Iranian Press TV'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8579719.stm

[Arshama]

Megan,

River dance is certainly much too sinful for our pious friend. While I was fretting over a convenient hobby all through the night, you found it instantly, LOL
Your comments are priceless :-)

[Barry]

OK - I have to ask this.

I understand that "River dancing" is a form of Irish dancing, ostensibly created so that Irish could dance behind stone fences without showing movement of their arms ( because dancing was forbidden for some reason)

Something like that anyhow.

But what has "river dance" got to do with Iran??? :)

Barry

[pessimist]

re- #19 ange paris

During this interview, he is very 'reasonable', he says the iranian people should decide etc, with peaceful means. That the movement should last, that it would take time, that the present regime is going towards an expansionist totalitarian policy and is a danger for the whole region.

He supported Mousavi right after the elections, but he must have changed his mind after seeing what happened in the last months. I see that's what lots of others feel, that reforms won't be enough and, in any case someone with money who can help is always useful, helping people leave, organizing resistance inside and outside. It might have to go to the next elections, if there will be any !

@Samuel

And why shouldn't Iran have it's Charles de Gaule ? Whoever it is. The fact you are so excited must mean that even you admire the good general. Only bad point for you though is that he wasn't very religious.

He did use force at first in trying the quell the may '68 riots, but the workers got their demands and reforms were made.