Thursday
Dec242009
UPDATED Iran: Is the US Government Now Going to Engage with the Opposition?
Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 11:00 
UPDATE 24 December: At least in its rhetoric, the Obama Administration appears to have made a coordinated shift to the issue of "rights" for the Iranian people. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley made his second statement in two days on the topic on Wednesday: "Iran is increasingly showing itself to be a police state", claimed Crowley, adding that the regime is using its security forces to try to "stamp out" the "aspirations of the Iranian people".UPDATE 1920 GMT: Yesterday the US Senate passed a resolution "condemning the Government of Iran for restricting and suppressing freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly, and for its human rights abuses, and for other purposes". The resolution urges the implementation of the VOICE Act, amongst other measures, but does not appropriate funds or carry any legal authority.
Thanks to EA readers, who have brought me up-to-date on the US Government's initiatives on Iran.
The Latest from Iran (24 December): Another Day, Another Demonstration
The Latest from Iran (23 December): This Time, No Pause?
This includes the Victims of Iranian Censorship (VOICE) Act, unanimously passed by the US Senate in July to provide $30 million for expanded Persian-language broadcasting into Iran and $20 million for a new “Iranian Electronic Education, Exchange, and Media Fund” to aid in getting access to information and circumventing censorship and filtering. The money was not appropriated, however, merely authorised (in other words, a statement of intention rather than confirmed action), and the measure has not been agreed yet with the US House of Representatives.
This is the context for the clearest response of the Obama Administration to the Montazeri demonstrations, issued by State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley,
The fact is that there is a fissure inside Iranian society and the government is pushing by the various means that are available to it, including the use of various security forces, to kind of put this genie back in the bottle. And it is increasingly difficult for them to do that. Montazeri was a significant figure in Iranian society. He had given voice to the universal rights that we think should be available to all the people of the world, including the people of Iran.
It is incumbent upon the government of Iran to satisfy the aspirations of its people. And there is something happening inside Iranian society. It is hard to predict how it will unfold. But certainly the angst that we continue to see within Iranian society is of great concern to us. And we think that ultimately the government of Iran has to change its relationship with its own people, and that's certainly consistent with the universal principles of freedom of association, freedom of expression, open political processes, and so forth.
Fine words, but will this translate into an Administration strategy which moves away from the nuclear-first approach and towards supports of a media-led "engagement" with the Iranian people?
Reader Comments (40)
You know, the nuclear issue is Ahmadinejad's safe haven! It would have been very clever if the administration had not sunk so deep in that mud, but they chose to ignore all warning calls and went with Israeli advice! ... I feel Ahmadinejad will do all in his power now to seek confrontation and attention on that front; and Israeli or Israel-lobby offense on Iran (military or political/economic) is what Ahmadinejad is counting on to restore his totally tarnished image--playing victim!!!
He is an agitator; in internal and external politics ... and quite frankly, I feel this is all happening under severe psychological (even mental) disorder! His frenzy to fire Mousavi from the institution Mousavi founded is an example of how badly he has lost it!
Putting everything else aside for a second, I give a tip of my hat to the Obama administration persistent linking of the rights of Iranians to "universal" human rights. It hits the right tone for a country that (for historical reasons) is very sensitive to foreign meddling, and a regime that exploits that sensitivity.
Naj
I agree with you , well said !
@ ange paris, naj
Ditto!
Naj
You hit it right to the point (bullseye). Good job, well done ;))
If 3 to 5 months ago, Israel had attacked Iran aerially, it would have worked to unite the Iranian's against the world, however today it has all changed. We had the AN administration rape, kill and enforce their will through force. I doubt much unification will happen if we are attacked like that. America too is not stupid. AN is collapsing into the cesspool of excrement he has created for himself and taking with him the SL and the Pasdaran. All America has to do is pull back the leash of its dog (Israel) for another six months.
For all the hoopla, I see this as now only a 100% internal issue. The external angle is dead. When we needed the moral help and support of America, their president chose to acknowledge AN government. The U turn will be expensive as we have learned to move the wave forward without them. As for the money identified above, if you chase its trail, it leads to the office of Israel lover Lieberman (independent senator from Maine) and I doubt any Iranian or Iranian group will touch that money. That's just a little loose change for him to throw at his Israeli high tech companies.
Obama and America is liked by many in Iran, but they need to do more than speak eloquent words. The speed of events and change in Iran has now increased to such level that the end of AN is inevitable. Protests have spread from Tehran to everywhere. Once you have this level of dissent and dissatisfaction the end is in site. The cancer has spread, no amount of chemo or radiology will now eliminate it. The only solution's is to eliminate the leader and the AN administration.
Whereismyvote
I am muslim and I have all the religious symbols on the wall of my sitting room, even jewish symbol ; I don't like your tone when you speak about jews and Israel; I hope we will belong to a country where there won't be this kind of segregation !
Ange Paris
For the past 30 years (I and other westerners) have witnessed, time and time again, large groups of Iranians chanting "Death to (**** - fill in the blanks)" . At this time, I am not convinced that much will change in Iran - even if there is an overthrow of the current Regime. I am certain that is why Obama has not engaged with the so-called "Iranian opposition" so far.
I feel very sorry for those Iranians who are peace loving, freedom seeking and want to live a quiet life like I do - but I fear that there are so many others who have "Death to (*** fill in the blanks)" firmly ingrained in their psyche - and frankly, it is a big question mark as to who are the majority???
Barry
Ange paris,
I dont see the word 'jewish' or any derivation of it in "Whereismyvote" entire post. please dont confuse or intentionally link the country of Israel with the jewish fate. criticizing israel doesn't mean criticizing the jewish religion.
and Barry,
Things are not as simple as they look; death to xxxx doesn't mean killing everyone that lives in that country and its not a psychological illness. It's an expression of dissatisfaction with a policy; and as you've noticed lately it has been targeted towards the figures in Iranian government.
Farzam
Hmmm - I now fear that you are perhaps one of those Iranians who have “Death to (*** fill in the blanks)” firmly ingrained in their psyche.
You are drawing a VERY fine distinction there - which I am sure I can tell you that Westerners do not recognize. Even taking the problem of correct translation into account, the vitriol expressed at these demos over the past 30 years has been plain for all to see.
Also, your assertion that there is no link between the State of Israel and jewish fate is an indication that you do not understand or accept history. There will be no peace in Iran until Iranians come to terms with this. But I suspect that I am wasting my time in a discussion of this particular matter.
Barry
Farzam
"pull back the leash of its dog (Israel)", " I doubt any Iranian or Iranian group will touch that money. "
All this shows the" hatred" and I don't like at all; supposedly we want to change !
We have begun an other revolution dreaming to live in peace inside of the country and around, with our neighbors; at shah's time we had a good relationship with Israel and since the revolution of 1979, we have found them "dirty" ; I dream,( with all the people dead as far in the country, we have lost too much ), to have a peaceful atmosphere without saying "death to" marching 7-8 times a year in the steets to demostrate the anger against an other people !!
Where have you seen this ?? normally, people demonstrate in other countries for raising their salaries or improving their well-being and not several times a year against an other country !
I was shocked and wanted to express my opinion and you can disagree .
Thx
hello ange paris
I always like what you say and agree with you.
I wish you a merry chrismas , although I have no religion and you are a muslim!
;)
Dear AngeParis
Please don't label me as an Anti Semite and don't succumb to the propaganda of the west. Stop screaming and look at what I wrote first.
For me to say that Israel is on a leash and can be controlled by USA, is not against any religion. It is a fact, and many people including writers of Foreign Affairs Journal and many reputable American accademics and journals also state the same point. For me to say that touching money connected to an anti Iranian senator who has repeatedly called for the anaylation of Iran and who has worked tirelessly to support the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, embargo of Iran and support of the AIPAC lobby, (Senator Liberman) is suicide by Iranian groups is not anti semantic. It is again a fact. If you don't understand what I am saying, don't attack me, but talk to some exiled Iranian groups. I wish you a merry Christmas, as I wish Jews a happy Hannica and the Iranians a great Yalda. I am pro all religions and love (Yes I do) Jewish people. However I hate oppressors.
As others have pointed out to you, split your love of Jewish people from Israel, just like you have learned to Split your love of Islam from Islamic Taleban of Iran.
To dislike occupying, repressive regimes who use tyranny and military muscle and metal to put down innocent people and to force them into submission, raping them, harvesting their organs, removing their self respect and treating them like animals is wrong. No matter if done by Israel or by Iran.
Dear Florence
Thank you for your kind words; I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
2010 be an unforgettable for all of us.
Free Iran V
Dear Florence
I have forgotten a word in my comment; I have written it in my head but not in the text, sorry ! so again :
Thank you for your kind words; I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
2010 be an unforgettable year for all of us.
Free Iran V
whereismyvote
There are form and content; the form was not respected !
Merry Christmas and Happy new year with lots of VVVVVVVVVVVV
Barry,
It may be a fine line and semantics, but "Marg bar xxx" ("Death to xxxx") can as easily be translated as "Down with xxxx". The expression is used against ideas (eg "Marg bar communism") as against individuals or countries.
Putting aside their last 30 years of recent history, Iranians have never proven good at killing or defending themselves physically. All the invasions the country suffered are proof of that, plus the fact that whatever victories Iran won over the last many centuries was by using mercenaries (like Nader Shah using Afghan tribes to conqueer India). I'm personally convinced that any post IRI regime will start by integrating Iran in the global economy, accelerate development, free Iranian business ingenuity and reduce military expenditures.
Thanks,
Hamid
Barry -
A couple comments from a different perspective if I may. I actually grew up in the US my whole life and would consider myself a very "american" person. To your point, I also have seen and heard all the "death to the us" chants from Iran and struggled to understand how this could be. Over the years I became more and more integrated into the Iranian community and can say with a great level of certainty that those who are behind these chants are a minority. Most if not all of those in my generation and younger have a strong afinity to the West, specifically the US and even those in my father's generation. It takes going back to my grandfather's generation to see some skepticism to the US. Without giving a history lesson (you may have learned a lot just from your frequent visits to this site) I can understand as an Iranian AND an American as to why this skepticism exists. What we see in the news is propoganda and nothing more. Also, if you find time there are many great videos/interviews with people all over Iran that will show you how Iranians truely feel towards the US. Yes there are some in Iran that have anger towards the US..some for specific reasons and some due to other factors (eg brainwashing) but let us not forget we have the same issues here. Death to the US chants simply make better news but lets not assume this is the sentiment of all Iranians because it is not.
And to the discussion regarding WhereisMyVotes comment regarding Israel. I feel the need to defend/support him here - not that he needs it. I do not read what he wrote as an attack on the jewish faith but rather as a criticism of the Israeli government. As an Iranian American I am critical of the US policies to Israel vis a vis our policies towards other countries in the region (here read Palestine)..for this discusssion I will call myself an American Iranian putting the american view first. This does not say that I am critical of the Jewish faith. To say I am critical of some US policy does not mean I am critical of Christianity does it? Let's be honest, the Christian faith has imprints all over US law..from common law to IRS codes. To question the policies of a government is simply exercising our rights to think. This is what our brothers and sisters are doing today in Iran.
I commend Ange Paris' comments regarding her openness to the jewish faith despite being Muslim...we need more people like her in this world. True Islam embraces other religions and discusses that Islam and Judism are connected to each other.
Happy Holidays to everyone and may peace be with all of us.
Barry,
You were pretty quick on the draw to put me in a box and judge me. Its always difficult to sepreate the misinformed and fanatics. What I said IS a fine distinction that if you were slightly curious about would have followed up on. The fact that you didn't and dismissed it outright and felt comfortable enough to judge and cateogrize me means that you lean more towards the fanatic camp than the other. The camp that has a certain idealogy and looks for facts or interpretations to support that idealogy.
pro shah people chanted 'death to mossadegh', anti shah chanted 'death to shah', chants of 'death or down to russia or england or america' due to their very strong hand in the domestics politics during the past 100 years, and like i said before the same chants are targeted towards current government officials. I'm sorry that this concept doesn't fit quite nicely in your ideology, but it is the fact on the ground.
But I suspect that you are wasting your time as I've hardly seen anyone of your disposition engage in a civil and cordial conversation without being judgmental based on certain hard core beliefs.... and that is not that different in approach than taliban or any other fanatic group.
Happy holidays to you.
Farzam.
Hamid
"I’m personally convinced that any post IRI regime will start by integrating Iran in the global economy, accelerate development, free Iranian business ingenuity and reduce military expenditures."
I am very happy to hear that - it is certainly a good starting point for the future. I am not convinced at this time - but I am an outsider. Time will tell us the truth.
Barry
Farzam
It is always difficult to carry out conversations over the Internet. I am no fanatic - Australians are generally not known to be fanatical about anything (except perhaps what football team they support or which beer they prefer to drink) :)
However, I do believe that Iranians are known/perceived? to be fanatical about a number of things - I certainly do - the fact that Iranians commonly gather together and shout Marg bar "anything" points me in that direction of thought/judgment.
I am just a "westerner" who has indeed made observations and hence judgments over the past 30 years. I like to think that I am well informed - and I do personally understand the fine distinction we are discussing. A lot depends on the inability to truly and completely translate one language into another. But, even forgetting for the moment, the actual language used, the vitriol remains on public display - as I said before.
I wish the Iranian people the very best - but I am interested to see whether they can indeed cleanse the "hatred" that I see in them, especially in regards to Israel. ( Obviously not all have this hatred - but VERY many do) Megan put into words elsewhere, my exact thoughts about that matter. But it is a matter that is very difficult to discuss because of entrenched positions by just about everybody.
Barry
Barry
Yo painted Australia as happy go lucky football loving beer drinking people. Well may I ask what you think us Iranians are fanatical about? Apart from the images you have seen on your TV, about Iran, which I completely believe is hog wash and a propaganda, what fanatical behavior do you believe we have had?
1) During the closing chapter of the 70's we were portrayed as fanatical, because we wanted America to leave our country and stop medal-ling in our internal affairs, especially the unconditional support of the dictator Shah. You say fanatical, we think democracy loving free thinkers.
2) During the early 80's we were fanatical to take the hostages - Do you realize that in 1953 the US government and the British Embassy orchestrated a coupe to remove a democratically elected prime minister only to install a dictator king to protect their interests and assets. You see fanatical hostage takers, we see dynamic students that wanted to protect their revolution against another embassy orchestrated coupe.
3) During much of the 80's your TV portrayed us as fanatical warriors that sent their 13 year old kids to clear mines. We were a nation united to fight Sadam Hussain and all the guns and ammunition that the west was unconditionally supplying him. We were fighting for the existence and soil of our nation and were forced to turn back his metal with our muscle. The west supplied him with chemical weapons and this was not fanatical, but to resist this mad man was?
4) The west called us fanatical terrorists when we resisted them, yet when an American captain shot down an Iranian passenger jet he was called a hero and America gave him a medal of honer. Who was fanatical here?
The game goes on and on. As you see, from the narrow prism of Western media we are fanatics. (and may I add that the media in USA, Britain and Australia especially) is heavily owned and influenced by the Israel view). From the view of Iranians those who have so doggedly fought Iran at every turn, are equally fanatical. We have fanatics in Iran today, and they have gained strength and power because people have labeled everything about Iran this way. If it was not for the axis of evil speech, we would not have the Sepah and the SL have such free hand to take power. 95% of Iranians have no wish but to become football loving (played with the foot and not your version) and beer drinking fanatics like yourself. We are forced to fight, for the basic right to be free, to have a vote, and to have it counted.
As for your desire to see people stop hating Israel, I fear it will only happen when and if Israel stops being such a hate mongering expansionist state. When Israel recognizes the rights of Palestinians to peace, a nation state, and stops being a bully and an occupier, I am sure the hatred will evaporate. However you can not act in such brutal inhumane fashion for 50 years, and demand that peoples hearts and minds be full of love towards you (Israel I mean). I am not entrenched in any position but the position of justice and my thoughts are formed by facts and no emotions.
Barry,
I dont think any people on this planet are pre-wired or preferr to hate; regardless of religion or nationality. And people certainly dont get together and chant death to anything for no reason. You are correct; lots of things get lost in translation in soundbites; but the only way to get to the true meaning is to look a bit closer.
One of the chants by students in iran is "death to dictator; be it shah or leader(referring to khamenei)". Think its obvious that this does not mean that they want to kill all dictators; but its an expression against the concept of dictatorship.
In fact poll after poll has showed that the iranian people are the most pro-western population in the middle east with regards to personal freedom and cultural values, and they make a clear distinction between the people and government of countries they oppose which if you think about it takes a lot of social and cultural maturity.
I urge you to look beyond the main stream media that you've been observing for the past 30 years and you will see that iranian people are no different than ausies or brits or any other people in wanting civil liberties and personal freedom.
And I honestly dont know what you mean by hatred of Israel. Oppression is oppresion. Be it Islamic republic or Israel. And criticizing Israel doesn't mean criticizing the jewish faith. If I say mcdonalds sucks doesn't mean I'm a vegetarian.
Farzam.
Farzam and Whereismyvote
One thing is for sure - we should not be "arguing" - there are bigger fish to catch and fry!!
We obviously do see some things through different lenses- that is only to be expected. I will admit that we here where I live can hardly imagine the circumstances that Iran has endured for a long time - and I would wish those circumstances on no one.
I wish the green movement well.
Barry