The Latest from Iran (1 March): In Like a Lion?

2135 GMT: Rumour of Day. Kalameh alleges that prisoners held in cellblock 209 of Evin Prison have been commanded to fill in forms about their views on election fraud and whether the protest leaders are connected to foreign countries.

2100 GMT: Dr Mohammad Maleki, the former head of Tehran University, has reportedly been released after 191  days in detention. Maleki, 76, suffers from prostate cancer.

Iran: Understanding the Assembly of Experts Statement “Crisis Continues”
Iran Document: Mousavi’s Interview “Reform Within the Current Framework” (27 February)
The Latest from Iran (28 February): What Do The Statements Mean?

2055 GMT: United4Iran has a profile of Jahanbakhsh Khanjani, former advisor to Iran’s Minister of Interior in the Khatami Presidency, who was released on 24 February after spending more than eight months in prison. According to another released prisoner, Khanjani was under pressure to confess and was constantly moved from general confinement to solidarity confinement.


2030 GMT: 2nd Picture of the Day (see 1540 GMT). The staff of Etemaad newspaper just after its suspension (1455 GMT) by Iranian authorities: "Victory".



1935 GMT: Faoud Sadeghi, the managing director of Ayande News, has reportedly been released.

Journalist Mahsa Jazini has been freed on $100,000 bail in Isfehan.

1930 GMT: Khatami Stands Firm. Back from an academic break to find a statement from former President Mohammad Khatami, responding to the Supreme Leader's declaration that opposition figures had put themselves beyond the Iranian system with their post-election challenge. He said in a meeting with students:

It is easy to create tensions in the world, but difficult to eliminate them. Detente requires courage and finesse, and the system has to take steps to that effect. We should not embark on adventurism in the world under pretext of having won so many enemies. We should hold back from speaking in a manner to inflict heavy costs....

Everyone may have had his own interpretation of reforms, but we mean reforms within the framework of criteria born out of Islam, the revolution and the nation's will. In the face of any possible deviation from Islam and Imam Khomeini's line, we have to give warning....

Go and ask the former revolutionary militants if the ongoing conditions reflect what they were after. Ask them if these arrests, blame games, vendettas and the imposition of costs on the nation were what the revolutionary forces sought. If not, our conscience necessitates that we close ranks in order to improve conditions....

We should not retreat from our demands, and we should keep fighting even if certain groups beat us on the head. Unfortunately, certain hard-line groups in the society are opposed to any compromise within the society.

1615 GMT: Really. Not-Very-Much-News. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has denied, amidst the fuss over the International Atomic Energy Agency report on Tehran's nuclear programme, that there is any problem:

The new chief and the new managers of the agency should look at the record of Iran's cooperation. We have fully cooperated with the agency. This cooperation will continue. We have always welcomed and encouraged negotiations and talks.

1555 GMT: Rigi Mystery. This story isn't over....

Kyrgyzstan’s foreign ministry has issued a statement saying that Iran has officially apologised for forcing a Kyrgyz plane to land in Iran. More significantly, the foreign ministry has denied that any passengers were taken off the plane, including Jundullah leader Abdolmalek Rigi, by the Iranians: “According to information available to this ministry, media reports that s two foreigners were arrested in this fight are untrue."

Now, is Kyrgyzstan making the denial to save face and cover up that Rigi was lifted from one of its flights? Or is it the case that the Jundullah leader was never on that plane?

1540 GMT: Picture of the Day. Abdolreza Tajik after his release from prison (see 0945 GMT):



1520 GMT: A Most Symbolic Visit. Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, has visited Ali Karroubi, the son of Mehdi Karroubi who was beaten on 22 Bahman.

1515 GMT: Cutting off Business. Caterpillar, the US building equipment group, has announced steps to sever trading links with Iran. The company is barring its non-US subsidiaries from accepting orders for products that they know are destined for delivery to Iran.

1510 GMT: Not-Very-Much-News (from the Other Side). Press TV gives the Iran version:

Iran has called on the UN nuclear watchdog to bear in mind the West's past breaches of atomic fuel exchange deals with Tehran while reviewing Iran's nuclear program.

In a letter to the UN body, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), cited three instances on which Western countries failed to meet their commitments and provide Iran with nuclear fuel.

In other words, Tehran will hold out against a "3rd-party enrichment" deal involving Germany, US, or French authorities because they cannot be trusted.

But (and excuse me for being repetitive)...no mention of Japan as unreliable.

1505 GMT: Stopping the Protests. Rah-e-Sabz claims that 20,000 people were detained during the rallies of 22 Bahman (11 February).

1455 GMT: Back to the (Banned) News. Fars reports that Iranian authorities have banned the weekly magazine Iran Dokht, linked with Mehdi Karroubi. Etemaad has also been suspended.

1445 GMT: Not-Very-Much-News (cont.). Nothing --- yes, nothing --- new in the Amano report to the IAEA. It merely restates the long-standing finding, "[The IAEA] continues...to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, but we cannot confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."

This, however, will not stop many in the media from declaring that something dramatic has occurred. The lead from the Associated Press: "The chief of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency says he cannot confirm that all of Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful."

Nor will it deflect some from overblown declarations and calls to global conflict. Jamsheed Choksy (apologies that you'll have to pay to get the full polemic) in The Wall Street Journal: "Iran's New World Order --- Its nuclear program is part of a larger plan to radically reduce U.S. power."

1430 GMT: Today's Not-Very-Much-News. Back from an academic break to find the media buzzing over the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting, with a report from new Secretary-General Yukiya Amano. The section on Iran:

I would like to inform you about the current situation concerning Iran’s request to the Agency for assistance in providing fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor, as I receive many questions in this regard.

In June 2009, the Agency received a request from Iran for assistance in obtaining fuel for the research reactor in Tehran, which produces isotopes for medical purposes. In October 2009, at a meeting with the Governments of Iran, France, the Russian Federation and the United States, the Agency made a proposal under which Iranian low enriched uranium (LEU) would be shipped to Russia for further enrichment and then to France for fabrication into fuel. Three of the four countries gave their consent to this proposal.

In a letter to the Agency dated 18 February, 2010, Iran said it continued to wish to buy the necessary nuclear fuel or, if this was not possible, to exchange some of its LEU for reactor fuel from abroad. Iran requested the IAEA to relay its request to potential suppliers and to facilitate the provision of the fuel. The Agency circulated Iran’s letter to Member States as requested.

The arrangement proposed by the Agency in October 2009 remains on the table. I believe it would ensure continued operation of the Tehran Research Reactor and serve as a confidence-building measure. At the same time, I am following up on Iran’s February 18 request, in accordance with the IAEA Statute, and have been in contact with the relevant countries....

Implementation of Safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran

You have received my report on Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council Resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is longer than previous reports because I wanted my first report to be a stand-alone document. I tried to make it factual, without overdoing the detail.

The Agency continues, under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with Iran, to verify the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran, but we cannot confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities because Iran has not provided the Agency with the necessary cooperation.

The necessary cooperation includes, among other things, implementation of relevant resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council, implementation of the Additional Protocol and of modified Code 3.1, as well as clarification of issues related to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.

I request Iran to take steps towards the full implementation of its Safeguards Agreement and its other obligations as a matter of high priority.

1200 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Faezeh Hashemi, the daughter of Hashemi Rafsanjani, has declared that her father accepts no bargaining on people's rights and that the only way out of the crisis is to follow the suggestions in his Friday Prayer of 17 July. Replying to the question of why Rafsanjani has not taken the podium at Friday Prayers since then, Hashemi said, “His main reason is not to cause harm to innocent people. In his last sermon, security and intelligence forces attacked protesters and arrested some of them.”

Hashemi, indirectly commenting on last week's Assembly of Experts meeting that Rafsanjani chaired, warned that extremists were trying to unseat Rafsanjani to achieve their goals.

1100 GMT: Claim of the Day. Rah-e Sabz asserts that the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadegh Larijani, has said that the Supreme Leader asked him to execute more protestors.

Larijani was reportedly confronted by his relatives and associates, including Mostafa Mohaghegh-Damad, the former head of the National Audit Office, who were unhappy with the  executions of Arash Rahmanipour and Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani in late January. Larijani replied, “Go and thank God that I have lowered the number of executions.”

Larijani allegedly said that he had attended a meeting at the time  including Khamenei. Ahmad Jannati (head of the Guardian Council), Mohammad Yazdi, and Mohammad Momen Qomi all invoked of the Sharia law demanding that the protesters and the "leaders of sedition" be executed.

Khamenei responded that, although this was their religious opinion, a large number of executions would cause political problems for the regime. He then turned to Larijani saying, “In all honesty we expected more than this [two executions].” Larijani later told associates, “I have tried very hard to keep the number of executions low, as my superiors had asked for more”.

1045 GMT: Following Up the Assembly. The political moves from last week's Assembly of Experts meeting continue, even beyond Mr Verde's Sunday analysis. While the official statement --- once it finally appeared --- pledged loyalty to the Supreme Leader, there has been an overlooked postscript.

The Secretariat of the Assembly has published the report by the Assembly’s Investigation Committee into the circumstances of the Supreme Leader and his fitness to remain in the post, under Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution). The report, dated 27 February, is signed by Mohsen Mojtahed-Shabestari (Assembly member, Khamenei's representative to East Azerbaijan, and Tabriz's Friday Prayer leader.

Although the report is similar to the Assembly's closing statement, the Green website Rah-e-Sabz is celebrating the publication of this report as a victory for public pressure on the Assembly. For the first time, the Supreme Leader's fitness for his post is now a matter of public discussion.

1000 GMT: But You Could Just Watch the Nukes Instead. On the nuclear programme front, it looks like another day of media focus on the rhetorical battle between Iran and members of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA, with a new Director-General, begins a four-day discussion of the draft report on Iran's current uranium enrichment efforts, and the occasion has been preceded by a series of Iranian verbals attacks, including the Supreme Leader's denunciation of a US-controlled IAEA.

The Los Angeles Times, for example, devotes a lengthy article to the political theatre: "[Iran has] dramatically shifted its public tone toward the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, dropping its previous deference while harshly criticizing the agency's latest report and its new director-general as an incompetent and biased lackey of the West."

Amidst the furour, few take any notice of Iran's more conciliatory position accepting Japan as a country for "third-party enrichment", signalled by Ali Larijani during his trip to Tokyo. And none, to my knowledge, consider the ripples of Larijani's changed position across the Iranian political waters.

0915 GMT: And so unfolds another week in a crisis which, according to the regime, was over. Mir Hossein Mousavi's interview continues to command attention and more than a few questions about strategy and prospects for the Green Movement. After initial doubts, I'm tilting towards a more optimistic reading. Because of the importance of the issue, the analysis is still being developed: we're hoping to have it out tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the regime --- which, again, has supposedly won this conflict --- continues to bluster. Basij Commander Mohammad Reza Naqdi, continuing the Government's propaganda drive on the capture of Jundullah leader Abdolmalek Rigi, declared that President Obama would confess as quickly if he came to Iran:

This pure form of Islam [practiced in Iran] is such that it will even break our staunchest enemies. This thug [Rigi] was nothing, even if Obama himself, who Rigi has confessed to cooperating with, comes to Iran he will also confess to all his sins under the influence of this [pure form of] Islam.

The U.S. and other Western countries have reached a cultural, military, political and economic dead-end and the only weapon in their hands to bully other countries is technology and if we succeed in prying this tool away from them they will be finished.

Far more significant is the news of the regime's freeing of high-profile figures from detention. Saturday and Sunday releases included editors and journalists Ali Hekmat, Abdolreza Tajik (Farheekhtegan), Mashallah Shamsolvaezin (formerly of Kayhan, Jame'eh, Neshat, and Asr-e Azadegan), Behrang Tonkaboni (Farhang va Ahang), and Mohammad Javad Mozafar (publishing house Kavir and vice president of the Committee for the Defense of Prisoners' Rights), and retired science professor Mohammad Sadeq Rabani.

An Iranian activist adds that journalist Rozbeh Karimi was released today and 20 protesters arrested on Ashura were freed from Rejaie Shahr prison in Karaj last night.

It is too early to tell if this is an orchestrated strategy of mass releases by the regime --- an effective "amnesty" if those freed will just shut up, stop writing, and stay off the streets --- but it follows Sunday's carrot-and-stick statement by Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi (see yesterday's updates). Doulatabadi promises detainee releases on the eve of Iranian New Year but added that those who did not recent would be treated harshly.

The "stick" part of the strategy also has come out in a Rah-e-Sabz report:

Many of those arrested and released over the past few months have been contacted and told to be prepared for interviews, which are subsequently conducted inside Evin Prison....

Interrogators contacted these former prisoners, who have either received their initial verdict or are waiting to receive their verdict, and force them to participate in these interviews. A transcript of the interview is given to the prisoners by their interrogators and they are told to memorize the content and say it in their own words. These former prisoners have been threatened that if they refuse to participate in the interviews they will have to spend the [Iranian] New Year holiday in prison or receive a heavier sentence.

The Jaras [Rah-e-Sabz] reporter said, "Transcripts of these interviews are given to news agencies close to the Reformists and they are forced to publish them. In the recent scenario, aside from the Islamic Student News Agency (ISNA), where prisoners were escorted to upon their release to conduct interviews, Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) has been forced on board [as well]. For the news scenario, the date of the interview is sometimes days or months from the time of the prisoner's release and secondly the exact transcription has been forced on news agencies."

Still, even if the Green Movement could be quelled, the Government faces the trouble within. The latest sign of unhappiness is over the recent 18-minute video, shown on BBC Persian and then spread on YouTube, of the 15 June attack on Tehran University's dormitories. Kazem Jalali, a member of Parliament's "truth-finding committee", has hinted that some colleagues are holding out against an acknowledgement of possible wrongdoing:

It would be better if the members of the truth-finding committee all watch this film....I have followed up on the issue a few time via Mr. [Mohammad-Hassan] Abutorabi who heads the committee. I think you should also ask him this question.

However, the head of the National Security Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has tried to pre-empt any consideration of the evidence of damage, beatings, and even killings by the attackers, whose exact affiliation with the regime is still unclear: "Since the narrator of the film is the BBC, we must look at the matter with doubt because we do not consider the BBC a reliable source."

Comments

[kevina]

Samuel's problem is that if one criticizes HIS ideal Islam, you are wholly "anti-Islam." The problem with that is obvious.

Now, Samuel, why, in your apparent view, is Ali Khamenei's judgments the only "last word" in Islam? Why him, a man who was made SL through a thoroughly political, corrupted process? Because you say so?

[Cyrus]

@Samuel
watch this, US constitution is a very Persian thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw2J_qN24Kc

Islamic orders designed to control the barbaric Arabs of 1400 years ago have no use in a modern 21st century government and an Islamic Regime may only survive in form of dictatorship

if you really care about preservation of Islam and not your paycheck, you should also support the establishment of a secular government

[kevina]

"In any event your scenario is wishful thinking. Naqdi and company have done an extraordinary job and we are getting ever closer to a Basij state, the latest stage of development of the IRI."

So you admit that IRI us evolving into a militaristic state run by religious fanatics? This is a good thing?

And you heap scorn on Iranian youth who might enjoy some Western aspects. Fine. It is your right to bitterly disagree with them, even consider them "anti-Islam" and/or heretics.

But what right have you (or, in this case, the state) to oppress, arrest, torture, or even kill them, simply for disagreeing with you? Who made you (or Ali Khamenei) God?

[kevina]

^^In last paragraph, "what" should come after "But."

[Publicola]

Truly a great film that recommended by you, Cyrus!,
that does indeed do justice to Iran.

In return I would like to thank you for that film with a quotation from Brockhaus Encyclopaedia (abridged version):

“ONCE UPON A TIME ….. 2500 YEARS AGO ….”

A FAIRY TALE ?

»The rule of the ACHAEMENIDS [lasting from c. 560 to 330 BC] over the subjected nations and peoples was altogether RATHER LIBERAL, and the diverse peoples and ethnicities of the Achaemenid Empire enjoyed a considerable autonomy, in particular the ancient civilized nations of the Babylonians and Assyrians, Elamites, Jews and Egyptians. There was NO centralized standardized administration, which would have aimed at a CULTURAL EGALITARIANISM and STANDARDIZATION. The different nations and peoples were allowed to maintain and keep to their own institutions, customs, RELIGION and language, in brief: they were allowed to maintain, keep to and preserve their individuality, as long as the general administration of the empire was in Persian hands. Evidence of this practiced POLICY OF TOLERANCE is for instance the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile and the reconstruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem - in both cases by authority and permission of Cyrus II. Not least of all the fact that highly different ethnicities and highly different religions were living together in urban centres of the Empire like Susa or Persepolis […] led to MUTUAL TOLERANCE […].«

From:
Ruediger Schmitt, “The Persian Empire: The first world power”
in:
Brockhaus [encyclopaedia] multimedia premium 2010 [DVD] - © wissenmedia GmbH, 2010

(translation and emphases by the commentator)

[Some people in Iran are in dire need to learn from the Achaemenids, I suppose]

[Bosco]

From your cult. Hussein and Ali have replaced Muhammad. There is very little mention of Muhammad anymore. It's all about the rahbar and Ali and Hussein. Have you ever visited mosques in Iran? Aslan shoma irani hasteen?

You're part of cult, and you've convinced yourself this khomeini's politcized shiasm is the the truth. But, we'll all eventually find out if the beating, torturing, raping of innocent people, mistreating prinsoners of war, deception, corruption was what God intended.

[Bosco]

Kevina,

"Samuel’s problem is that if one criticizes HIS ideal Islam, you are wholly “anti-Islam.” The problem with that is obvious."

That's the defense of small minded individuals. It's like when someone criticizing Israel is considered anti-semitic. The same principle which tries to avoid discussion or criticism.
The IRI is a political cult. And they have their cyberwarriors like samuel spreading sloppy propaganda all over iranian sites.

[rezvan]

If it is true that the Iranian people are currently in the frying pan, then judging by the anti-Islamic comments and fascist commentary expressed by some in these columns who would wish to push them into the fire.

[pessimist]

I have yet to read the whole thread, i'm just at 1505 gmt.

Yet what do I find, yet another attempt at western corruption of the pious islamic republic.

Of course Google may say it has done it's best, but sometimes, it can't hide its insidious western tendency for vulgarity or downright pornography. But, as we can see, this time, it's not from Satan USA, but from those leery Russians, and, wow, newcomers the Chinese !

Ooooh, may Allah preserve the Greens from suffocation !

<Jrs are adding tremendous number of journalists detained and officials on Iran is unprecedented. Total officials including police, guard, Basij, clothes and information to cities around the bus were brought to Tehran to field so high that Hdfasl Imam Hossein (AS) to Azadi Square "security tunnel" was formed and The demonstrators were through the tunnel terror. This rule tactics of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had learned Chinese and Russian protests Greens could have suffocated in the sperm.

[Bosco]

"if you really care about preservation of Islam and not your paycheck, you should also support the establishment of a secular government"

They don't want to preserve it, they want to change it.

[Megan]

Hi Cyrus,

Sorry, I am not sure if you had any question for me.

I read your posts. Keep up the good work. Our pirouzei (win) is just a matter of time.

[Bosco]

Samuel says with excitement:

"Excuse me for a second but my “masters” are just delivering the food with which they pay me everyday. As always delicious!!! "

Glad you liked your turd sandwhich.

[Megan]

Rezvan,

The only ones who are on fire are you and your Basiji and IRG brothers who sense the end is near. The ones on Fire are those who know they cannot loot Iran any more, those who know there will be no more free lunch, and those who have blood of innocent people on their filthy hands. We can smell the stench of IR criminals burning in Hell on Earth.

Rezvan, go and do your rozehe khoni someplace else. We are not your mushroom (living in the dark).

[Megan]

IR morons give themselves away so easy, no measurement is necessary.

[Samuel]

Bosco,

"Hussein and Ali have replaced Muhammad" This is classic Sunni anti-Shiite propaganda most recently spread by Wahhabbis.

[Samuel]

Kevina,

“In any event your scenario is wishful thinking. Naqdi and company have done an extraordinary job and we are getting ever closer to a Basij state, the latest stage of development of the IRI.”

"So you admit that IRI us evolving into a militaristic state run by religious fanatics? This is a good thing?"

No the Basij are neither professional military or militaristic which is exactly their strength. One can be anything in society and be a valuable member of the Basij. When the Basij is 20 million strong as envisioned by Imam Khomeini it will be a presence in all spheres of social life e.g., education, the economy, communication, the arts, science and sport.

In essence the Basij must aspire to form the core of a new political and cultural order and to spearhead a long, determined march through every IRI institution, large and small, and impose its own hegemony.

And you heap scorn on Iranian youth who might enjoy some Western aspects. Fine. It is your right to bitterly disagree with them, even consider them “anti-Islam” and/or heretics.

But right have you (or, in this case, the state) to oppress, arrest, torture, or even kill them, simply for disagreeing with you? Who made you (or Ali Khamenei) God?

[Samuel]

"And you heap scorn on Iranian youth who might enjoy some Western aspects. Fine. It is your right to bitterly disagree with them, even consider them “anti-Islam” and/or heretics.

But right have you (or, in this case, the state) to oppress, arrest, torture, or even kill them, simply for disagreeing with you? Who made you (or Ali Khamenei) God?"

Disagreeing is not the problem. However when you try to overthrow the system that is a different story. We disagreed with Khatami (AND SO DID THE SUPREME LEADER) and yet he was president for EIGHT LONG YEARS.

[Barry]

@Samuel

A man made "system" is just that - man made. It is not Divine, not pre-ordained. Man made systems have come and gone since man/woman first walked. I am sure that Ghengis Khan had a "system" too - I'm not sure what it was, but whatever it was, it is now dust.

The German Nazis had a system too - it was a system and an ideology that they believed in and defended. But it too is now dust.

Whether your system will be overthrown or whether it implodes, is yet to be seen. But sooner or later, it will die - as we all must. The most important question is - how much pain will it cause before this? It is the duty of the Western world to keep that to a minimum.

Barry

[Bill]

Samuel,

As usual your causing a fuss all the while "enjoying your free snacks courtesy of the regime."(your retort referencing food had me rolling in laughter) On a serious note you say "When the Basij is 20 million strong as envisioned by Imam Khomeini it will be a presence in all spheres of social life e.g., education, the economy, communication, the arts, science and sport." Oh yes they will and it will be an Islamic mono culture very much akin to what the Wahhabis, you detest, envision. Won't be as harsh but it will be a police state in which "no compulsion in religion" is entirely ignored.

The twenty million figure in itself is damning when you realize it takes that many for the regime to enforce its way of life on the population. This also contradicts your many statements that the majority of the people are with the regime. Which is it? All the people love the regime and thus they don't need Basiji enforcers?--or---The majority of the people are against the regime and thus they need 20 million Basiji to keep them in line? If it is the 20 million you envision what does that say about the strength and security of your reigme? What does this say about the "Islam" of your regime? It says to me that the people are losing their religion largely due to the regime and it's espicially ironic considering the regime bases its legitimacy on religion.

If you trully love Iran and your religion you really need to take a hard critical look at the current regime. It is not the people who are the problem. It is the regime who has violated the people's rights outlined in the consititution and Sharia. When will it sink in that your regime is actually driving people away from the relgion you love so much!!?? For me, while I have many issues with Islam, the fundamental issue with the regime is that they have submitted to the system instead of God like their supposed to. Now save me some snacks you glutton!!! :)

Thx
Bill

[Catherine]

Jamsheed Choksky's article here for free:
http://www.zawya.com/printstory.cfm?storyid=ZW20100228000098&l=035501100301

[Barry]

@Bill

I think you will find that Samuels "system" has a much broader horizon and a much greater global ambition then merely staying inside Iran. No - they intend to emerge one day like a plague. That is the purpose of the intended 20 million.

Barry

[Catherine]

Don't know if anyone's still subscribed to this thread - or still interested after your exertions of the previous night :-) - but here's a recent Amanpour show on CNN including Ayan Hirsi Ali among the guests. Judge for yourself what she and her ideas are like: 'The Growing Fearfulness of Muslims in Europe', February 3, 2010

8-min video fragment: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/02/03/islam.europe.amanpour.cnn

Complete transcript: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1002/03/ampr.01.html

[pessimist]

Publicola (1 march 22:21)

I didn't know about the birds.

Just to compare with modern Iran, there is a video somewhere on youtube that shows a (rare) vist by a british journalist to one of the most liberal clerics in Qom and he films a typical day. (I forget the title of it), I think the cleric was 'Sanei' (?).

The morning is spent in answering phone calls and hundreds of emails by his assistants. Many want to know if it's auspicious or not to do such and such a thing. He opens the Koran at any page and says it is, or it isn't. One question was something like 'I'm intending to cook (this meal) for my husband today, is this auspicious ?' And he answers her !!! He says, during conversations that he is against extreme forms of interpretation of Islam, but wow, this shows how superstitious many of the population is and how Islam is the same as at the time of the Romans. To be honest, christians also practised this with the bible, but I doubt that the bishops spend their days doing this :-)

[pessimist]

@Samuel (1 march 16:57)

you don't see to be very aware of what has happened with France's National Front, for the others I don't know, except for some echos in some articles and comments in British media.

The fact is that the immigrant, and mostly muslim criticisms of the extreme right in past years were not addressed by the other parties, even conservative ones because it was always seen as pandering to the NF.

It was only with Nicolas Sarkozy that this stalemate was broken. It was obvious that the majority of the population was getting very upset with muslim radicals (more and more), and the high number of clandestines (many from the poorest of muslim countries). So he cleverly took the carpet from under the feet of the FN by openly talking about the whole problem. He brought in several mesures like French training for Imams, more mosques, a group that represents the various muslim groups and are their spokesmen (no women yet), and a whole ministry of immigration and national identity. He also did what was sorely needed, lots of measures and incitations to end discrimination in many areas - work, education, medias, political representatives.

He has repeatedly supported muslims in general while insisting on curbing fundamentalists and their wish to impose their sharia ways on the country.

The latest discussions around the wearing of the burka or full niqab shows what most want - a banning of it in the streets.

In fact a similar thing is happening in Britain that is far more tolerant of extremists, and the people are leaning more to the extreme right because they are fed up.

The whole story of Hirsi Ali is revealing and the problem has gone on for far too long. All her criticisms are right, there is a sort of 'romantic' notion of islam and together with deluded leftists who think that by defending palestinians, they are defending human rights against bigoted zionist fascists.

Fortunately many socialists have seen the light and realized what was going on. This isn't helped with the present stagnation of the Israeli/palestinian situation.

But I can tell you one thing, Ahmadineajad and Iran's behaviour in the last 8 months has given a huge blow to islam and provided an ideal weapon to the extreme right, but also to the conservatives. The leftists don't have much to defend now. This hasn't been helped by the scandalous behaviour of the Iranian Ambassador.

We could do with a Hirsi Ali, a women talking from experience, although we do have a woman muslim minister who is very outspoken.

So your argument is, once again null and void.

[Publicola]

pessimist,

thanks for your response; I think I remember / I've watched that video mentioned by you.
[For me it is irrelevant, if people are Christians or Muslims - religion can be somehow a consoling force, but also a destructive force (religiously tinged civil war in Ireland), independently of a particular religious creed]

You are writing: "this shows how superstitious many of the population":

not knowing the situation in Iran I wrote my postings Nr. 26 plus Nr. 33 plus Nr. 34 on the question of religion and if possibly a political movement or party might have to take account of it in a political process/discussion,
under the condition and if one ought to assume that religiosity is widespread in a respective country / among a respective population
(as your contribution seems to affirm).

Best wishes

Publicola