The Latest from Iran (30 March): Strategies

2000 GMT: Politics, Religion, and Culture. Reihaneh Mazaheri in Mianeh offers a detailed article setting out how President Ahmadinejad has tried to use financial support of religious and cultural centres, often supervised by his close allies, to reinforce his political base. An extract:

The administration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is using state funds to spread its political and religious ideology and at the same time maintain powerful allies during times of turmoil, critics say.

The authorities have set aside 4.5 billion of the 347 billion US dollar, 2010-11 budget, which took effect on March 21, for cultural matters - but much of it is spent on religious and culturally hardline institutions sympathetic to the administration.

Ever since first becoming president in 2005, Ahmadinejad has made a clear effort to defend religious groups and organisations to a degree previously unknown in the country.

He set out his thinking in a speech to clergy in southern Fars province in 2007, saying, “In the budget of previous administrations, no room was found for religious centres and religious matters. However, we have taken them into consideration in the budget.”

The budget for “mosque centres”, one of the government’s main sources of popular support, has increased to 25 million dollars from 1.6 million in 2005 at the end of the term of reformist president Mohammad Khatami, according to Mohammad Hosseini, the minister of culture and Islamic guidance.

NEW Iran: Preventing Tehran from “Going Nuclear” (Ramazani)
NEW Iran Politics and Music: Sasi Mankan’s “Karroubi”
NEW Iran: The Green Movement’s Next Steps (Shahryar)
Iran: A View from the Labour Front (Rahnema)
Iran’s Nukes: False Alarm Journalism (Sick)
The Latest from Iran (29 March): Questionable Authority

1545 GMT: A Media Note. To the Charlie Rose Show on the US Public Broadcasting Service: I've now viewed what amounted to a half-hour propaganda special for the Iranian regime, aired in the US last night. Given the substitution of polemic, distortions, and misrepresentations posing as "analysis", I'm not even posting a link.


I'm hoping that this unfortunate interview disappears quickly. However, if it receives any attention as supposed "insight" into post-election Iran, I will be back with a fury.

In the meantime, this should suffice: this programme is a disservice and, indeed, a disgrace given the thousands detained, abused, and denied rights and freedoms. Speak to them, not the two "experts" to whom you turned over airtime last evening.

1540 GMT: Today's Propaganda Drama. After the reported rescue of Iranian diplomat Heshmatollah Attarzadeh Niaki from abductors in Pakistan, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has declared, “The Islamic Republic did not capitulate to any of this armed group’s demands which is supported by the US and Mossad.”

1535 GMT: Grounding Iran's Airliine. The European Commission has imposed a ban on flights by Iran Air within Europe.

1530 GMT: The "Other" Khamenei Visits Freed Reformist. Hadi Khamenei, the brother of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, joined others in visiting Mostafa Tajzadeh, the former Deputy Minister of Interior who is on temporary release for Nowruz, at his house last night.

1520 GMT: Revival of the Photograph. Pedestrian reports that Amir Sadeqi of the photo blog Tehran Live is out of prison and again taking and posting his photographs.

1500 GMT: Another Death Sentence. Back from an academic break and an appearance on Al Jazeera English's Inside Story (airing 1730 GMT) about the latest in Iraq's power politics, I find confirmation on websites of the news --- reported yesterday --- that 42-year-old schoolteacher Abdolreza Ghanbari has been sentenced to death for  "Mohareb (war against God) through contacts with dissident groups". This broad charge covers "suspicious emails and having contacts with television media outside the country".

1110 GMT: Joke of the Day. An EA correspondent has pointed out the feature from the blog Persian Letters on post-election humour in Iran but, in my opinion, the best joke came from a reader in the comments:

Q. How Many Basijis Does It Take To Change A Lightbulb?
A. None. The Basijis will sit in the dark and blame Israel and the USA.

0810 GMT: Latest on the battle over subsidy reform comes from "principlist" member of Parliament Mohammad Hossein Farhangi, who says the Government is obliged to act according to the vote of the Majlis.

0800 GMT: Rule of Law. Rah-e-Sabz tries to interpret what a meeting between the Supreme Leader and the head of Iran's judiciary, Sadegh Larijani, means for Iran's judicial procedure and sentencing.

Rah-e-Sabz also claims information on a strategy by the Revolutionary Guards to avoid exposure of human rights violations, including the effort to crack down on human rights organisations in Iran.

0655 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Children's rights activist Maryam Zia Mohaved has reportedly been released from Evin Prison after a 13-day hunger strike.

0645 GMT: We begin today with three Iran specials. Josh Shahryar thinks about the next steps for the Green Movement. R.K. Ramazani evaluates the best US strategy to deal with Iran's nuclear programme. And, after the arrest of underground rap artist Sasi Mankan, we post his April 2009 single "Karroubi".

Comments

[Catherine]

Another joke of the day: Citizens Rights Commission established by Iranian police force
Iranian police department has announced that respecting citizens’ rights is one of its priorities in the New Year and reported that to this end they are establishing a Citizens’ Rights Commission within the Security Forces.
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/03/citizens-rights-commissio.html

[Catherine]

This is the keynote speech given by Maziar Bahari at the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards on 25 March. Maziar Bahari was imprisoned by the Iranian regime for attempting to report on 2009's disputed election. He describes his ordeal, and suggests what can be done to help journalists jailed by the Islamic Republic.

There is no difference between journalism and intelligence
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2010/03/iran-maziar-bahari-censorship/

[Arshama]

To whom it may concern: somehow nuclear as well...
Livestreaming the press conference on today's experiment at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) in Geneva: http://webcast.cern.ch/lhcfirstphysics/

[Catherine]

Death Sentence watch: Judge Salavati Sentences School Teacher to Death
Abdolreza Ghanbari, a school teacher and a university lecturer for over 14 years, has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.
http://persian2english.com/?p=8997

[Catherine]

Have you ever wondered what websites look like when they've been "filtered" by the Iranian authorities? Pedestrian shows the normal message yuo see plus the special one they've made for "the jolly Norouz season":
http://www.sidewalklyrics.com/?p=5587

In 2008, I tried to access my webmail provider from an internet cafe in Shiraz, a totally innocent site not involved with news or politics, and completely in Dutch. It, too, was blocked. When we looked at the page soure, the html codes told us the name of the culprit: "Imam filter 4" :-).

[ange paris]

"that 42-year-old schoolteacher Abdolreza Ghanbari has been sentenced to death for ”Mohareb (war against God) through contacts with dissident groups”. This broad charge covers ”suspicious emails and having contacts with television media outside the country”.

Rezvan
This is the image of your regime everywhere in the world !

[gunni]

The latest articel written by MUHAMMAD SAHIMI about "Ahmadinejad and his men: embodiments of Fraud and Corruption" will keep your blood pressure very high.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2010/03/ahmadinejad-and-his-men-embodiments-of-fraud-and-corruption.html

[munzz]

In reply to Charlie Rose show last night:

These two stooges, Hillary Mann Leverett and Flynt Leverett, are regime mercenaries and they are exception to the norm of reality the world became aware of over last ten months. In the eyes of Iranians they are as laughable and trusted as Jannati or Vali Vaghih himself are in the country. And the failed Coup D'etat reaction did not left any outsider as any doubt as what was "selection" all about. Besides, the entire scenario is well documented not leave any shadow of a doubt.

They can claim all they want but it is the people of Iran who must be convinced that the "selection" after all the vetting process was not rigged.
In a country that peaceful march is confronted with 42 people being shot in one day, in a country that there is not a single free press or even relatively free, in a country that her citizens are raped in prison to stop the Green Movement, in country that number of security forces double those of marchers on 22 Bahman, as I said they can claim all they want. It is the people of Iran and only they that should believe in all these 10 months propaganda now coming out of mouth of a couple of mercenaries.

[gunni]

Muhammad Sahimi from the adjacent channel is talking about at least of
43 Billion $ which trickles away under the regency of AN. And nobody seems to be able to stop it and - not even to notice it! And religion is used only to squeeze the people - nothing else is left. Do anybody think that this kind of political system is reformable? Totaly lack of human rights, no division of political powers ( judicial,
legislative and executive) totally absence of any forms of enlightment, and
additional totally absence of any form of controlling. It`s not a republic -
its an self service shop for insane presidents, leaders, clerics and dingbat basidsch.

[Pedestrian]

just a thought ... wondering what you all think: while I have STRONG reservations about the Leveretts ... given the amount of anti-regime propaganda out there (I'm not talking about the legitimate critique that goes into of Sahimi's articles or Scott's here at Enduring America) but actual blatant, baseless propaganda ... Isn't some pro-regime propaganda better for balance? I mean, best of all is fair critique ... but given the amount of airwaves the pro-war, right wingers hog on US media ... what's half hour of baseless pro-regime rant?

[Amir in Tel Aviv]

EXCLUSIVE: Iran Nuclear Scientist Defects to U.S. In CIA 'Intelligence Coup'

An award-winning Iranian nuclear scientist, who disappeared last year under mysterious circumstances, has defected to the CIA and been resettled in the United States, according to people briefed on the operation by intelligence officials.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/exclusive-iran-nuclear-scientist-defects-us-cia-intelligence/story?id=10231729

[Barry]

@PEDESTRIAN

Just for some balance - would you care to write some positive complimentary words about the German Nazi regime. There has been a lot of anti-Nazi propaganda presented over the past 50 or so years!!

Barry

[Bozorg]

@pedestrian

I'm having trouble taking your comment seriously.

Does the truth need to be balanced out by some untruth?

No.

[Arshama]

Barry,

For once in a while - well said :-)

Gunni,

Thank you so much for Sahimi's article. I did not believe my eyes, when I read it: finally someone is speaking out! Though it's difficult for expats like me to verify Sahimi's allegations (given the oppression it's certainly difficult to do so in Iran too), I have next to no doubt that they are well-founded. Most of AN's cited cases frauds were put up by domestic media, but never followed up. It's certainly no coincidence that more than 50 journalists are imprisoned by now. However what struck me most was the fact that a lukewarm commentator has suddenly become a sharp critic.

Put it together with Reihaneh Mazaheri's article in Mianeh (usually critical of the government), and you get a clear picture of AN's efforts to create his own Islamic royal court with a bunch of well-paid yes-men and thousands of dependant subjects.

Mazaheri's data on the number of titles published are most revealing (ca. 52,000 in 2005 vs. ca. 45,000 in 2008). Compared to the average book production rate in Germany, the number of titles published in 2008 should have been around 55,000 -- a clear indication of the severe censorship coerced by Vezarate Ershad (Islamic ministry of education) in this short period.

I always wonder, why AN and his messianic guru Mesbah Yazdi undertake such huge efforts to prepare the return of their Hidden Imam, when the solution to all their problems is so obvious: for meeting him they should just hop into the Jamkaran well.

Arshama

[Pedestrian]

I find the Leverett's arguments very problematic. But there is so much propaganda out there, that I don't see why this is specifically targeted. If you tune in to any mainstream channel, night and day, there's so much disgusting propaganda on it about Iran ... it just happens to be anti-regime. Either we target every baseless, idiotic commentary on Iran ... or why just target those that happen to be pro-regime? ... My problem is that propaganda only seems to be problematic if it's pro-IRI. Anti-regime propaganda can be just as harmful to Iranians in the long run, especially if you consider the drums of war that go along with it.

[Scott Lucas]

Pedestrian,

I appreciate the point but, speaking personally, this type of "analysis" crosses a line (be it of objective commentary or of morality) when it willfully disregards or minimises injustice, brutality, and denial of rights. At that point, I cannot bring myself to engage with the points that can and should be discussed, such as whether there should be discussion with the current Iranian Government on a grand resolution of political differences, both over the nuclear programme and over regional issues.

S.

[Catherine]

RE Arshama's post 15,
Censorship is rampant and doesn't just affect modern works of political science, but Persian classical literature as well! Read and weep:
http://www.rferl.org/content/Reading_Persian_Classics_In_Iran/1996719.html

[Megan]

Re Post 11

Is this a cruel joke???

We should accept and promote Leveretts support of a criminal regime for the sake of balance?????????? That sounds like Ahmadi logic.

What is the unfair news that needs to be balanced?? Reports of Islamic Republic violation of human rights or is it the report that nuclear activities of a rogue government with unstable leaders should not be trusted?

How about for “balance” we feature Islamic Republic and its good deeds on nightly news? What are those good deeds anyway? Can daily arrests of innocent people for breathing the populated air or participating in a funeral procession be used as examples of good deeds?

Regime is really desperate. It controls the media in Iran and now wants to control the media outside of its borders. And the code word is “balance”.

[Catherine]

I have just read the transcript of the interview and I found this programme to have a strange focus (Mr Rose's responsibility I assume) on the Leveratts *themselves* almost equal to the attention paid to their statements about Iran and what sort of policy they think the US should be following. I expected more from Mr Rose, whose questions and responses also showed a clear lack of preparation.

These two are just like Prof. Marandi - they mix blatant untruths with facts and conveniently cherry pick from all the issues which are germaine to any discussion of current events in Iran and the formulation of US policy, omitting those they don't want to discuss. They abuse the fact that most people have not visted Iran to create the impression they have insider knowledge by virtue of having gone there, full well knowing that the interviewer will not have done any background check on who they met, who invited them, who was behind the polls in the US and Iran, etc. Although they do make some points I agree with, their intellectual dishonesty in combination with the viewers' (and unfortunately also most of their INTERviewers') ignorance makes them dangerous. Like Prof. Marandi (and Mahmoud Ajadinejad I might add), they need to be challenged by presenters/interviewers who bother to find out the facts first. Too bad Nick Clark (AJE) or Tim Sebastian (BBC World) never get a crack at these types.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10936#frame_top

[ange paris]

Hi Megan
"dometo bezar roo koulet " is fantastic ! thank you .

[gunni]

Hi pedestrian,

You bend a broad bow – between “legitimate critic” and “propaganda” to “idiotic commentary on Iran”. You are pondering about a “balance” – for what? To make sure not to provide “war mongers“ with arguments? You are right in one point – of being carefull because cyber - basidsch are everywhere. But there is no doubt - doing experiences with “balanced news” is surely the beginning of the end of free covering.
And most people for different reasons are here for getting unfiltered information.
One example - the press of the country I live is “not to bad” – but their background service about Iran is not really sufficient.
And sometimes the press is biased – they are always seeing a “special type of bombs” when they have a short look to Tehran. And sometimes they are colour-blind - because they won’t see all the 50 Millions of green coloured people – mostly females.:) (Is this statement enough balanced?)
That’s the way it is – you have to deal with “idiotic comments” – it’s the only way of a sustainable democratisation. I am sure - at the end you want the same.

Regards Gunni

[Arshama]

RE Catherine's post 18,

Look, what Abbas Djavadi, the author of this fine article about censorship, wrote in a post-script: "Well, add to that late Rosa Montazami's standard book on Iranian cuisine which is still sold but they have added made "zhambon" (ham) to "zhambone eslami" (Islamic ham)!! "

Distortion or reduction are the main strategies of Ershad's censors, which reminds me of an impressive comment by the belated author Hushang Golshiri: In Persian translation Garcia Marquez' famous novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude" shrinks to fourty years...

[pessimist]

re 11:10 joke of the day

I really laughed at them, I hope it spreads, and spreads and spreads.. I wonder if they'll make a new sentence 'death for making jokes', I wouldn't be surprised. Well it would be the excuse for more, more black, dark jokes, it can be fought and won on all fronts.

[rezvan]

Pedestrian you are absolutely right. Unfortunately (fortunate for them) some of these ranters are paid handsomely for their rants. They are so arrogant and self righteous that they see only wrong on the other side. But the good thing is that they believe their own propaganda so strongly (but I bet they will accuse us of doing so) that there is little chance that the majority of the Iranian public will be attracted by their brand of extremism. There used to be an old adage, that propaganda against your enemy is only useful if you do not start believing in it. Fortunately for us this lot has!

[gunni]

Yes, you are right. I am believing the slogans - no extremism - no violence.
and I like this type of "propaganda". But what would you say to the following article:

RAHANA- Dissident cleric Mr Boroujerdi was beaten and insulted by prison officers in the clerics ward of the prison. He has also been threatened with being transferred to the solitary cells.

According to Gooya newsletter, the prison officials have not presented any explanation in this regard; however, this incidents seem to be a planned tragedy carried out following the failure of Clerics Prosecution Officials in February. Prosecutor Ghadyani had previously threatened Mr Boroujerdi with exacerbating the insulting several times.

Would you say that this is an example of the Iranian regime acting peacefully without extremism? Would you say that this is a good example how the Iranian regime is loving their clergyman? Would you say that this is one of thousands
good examples how honest and righteous the Iranian juridical system it is?

Many questions - but always interested to find answers.