Hardliner of Parliament Open Letter to Mousavi

Source: Jaras
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010

Dear Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi

Please accept my greetings. I have read your interview with the Kalemeh news agency, an interview which rather resembled a statement. Considering that you have issued this interview in the days leading to the anniversary of the revolution, I am assuming that this was an action with an intended purpose and would have practical positive and negative consequences. As a result I thought I would send you this open letter.

In my view, you have enumerated the problems very well, but no the solution. The spirit of you statement and your words is that we have come for a reform not for vengeance, or power or destruction. This can be the common goal and the point of unity for the current political crisis, specially considering that continuous reform in society is one of the pillars of Islamic teachings known as ‘encouraging to virtue, and discouraging from vice.’ But what path can achieve this goal easier? … Continue Reading

Statement of Association of Combatant Clerics on 22 Bahman

Source: The Association of Combatant Clerics
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010

The amazing Islamic Revolution, which succeeded after many ups and downs and numerous incidents on Bahman 22nd, 1357 [February 11, 1979], has shown the greatness and the capacity of God’s religion [Islam] in providing freedom, dignity, and independence to a nation. In addition it has been the symbol of competence for the people with great honors throughout history. May God’s salutation be with this great nation and with its leader and grand founder Imam Khomeini, who was the symbol of this nation’s faith, power, honor, and freedom. We salute the pure spirit of all martyrs to whom this nation owes greatly. May God’s mercy be with the pure hearts of those who made sacrifices, the honorable martyrs’ families, and all men and women who always and devotionally have been and will be present in and play a role in our common fate.

The Islamic revolution was nation’s clear response to the call of their leader, who saw the religion as a mean to free people from despotism and colonialism. In his view religion recognizes people’s right to rule their fate. It demands essential rights, dignity, and respect for all the people who live in this country. In his view a government that is compatible with Islam should not only benefit Muslims, it should belong to all Iranian people regardless of their faith and beliefs.
… Continue Reading

Mir Hossein Mousavi ’s Interview with Kaleme

Source: Kaleme.org
Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Kaleme reports that in this interview, which took place close to February 11th [22 Bahman, the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution], Mousavi stated that the main reason for the collapse of the Shah’s dictatorial and unpopular regime was its illegitimacy [in the eyes of its citizens]. He emphasized that the resistance displayed by the Iranian people is a cherished legacy of the Islamic revolution, as is their intolerance for dishonesty, fraud and corruption. The complete interview is provided below.

We are approaching the 31^st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. How can we benefit from the recollection and commemoration of those days?

First and foremost, I want to congratulate everyone on the [upcoming] 31^st anniversary of our [victory in the] revolution, specifically the families of our martyrs, our [war] veterans and our [former] prisoners of war [with Iraq]. Analysis of the Islamic revolution has not yet come to an end. There have been thousands of books and articles written about it and many still to come. It is interesting that the recent elections – as well as the events that followed – have brought forth new critiques of the revolution. … Continue Reading

Statement of the Mojahedin of the Revolution Organization Regarding the Executions

Source: Mojahedin of the Revolution Organization
Date: Monday, February 1, 2010

Have any of the judiciary officials thought of how their failure to defend their establishment from power-hungry and short-sighted political ‘expediencies’ could result in the people’s loss of confidence and trust in the fairness and commitment to justice of this establishment? Even aside from the worrying and deeply saddening news regarding how the [execution] verdicts for Arash Rahmanipour and Mohammad Reza Alizamani were issued, it would still be an undeniable fact that the judicial procedures for these two individuals were incompatible with the usual methods.

Today, the general public understanding is that the verdicts for these two cases were issued and carried out with political goals and the current [social] environment [in mind]. Such a thing signifies that in the critical eyes of the people, the judiciary has not responded to public doubt and accusations of its [lack of] impartiality.

The Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution Organization has asked the judiciary to answer [the following questions] with clarity and transparency: When exactly were these two people apprehended? What documents, evidence and tools have been acquired from them? What were their goals and what did they do to achieve them? Why have their trials been held along with those of the other recently-detained individuals? Why was there such a rush to carry out the verdict? Why has the judiciary been silent regarding  the propaganda seen on national television, which stresses the relationship of these executions to those detained during Ashura? Why…

Needless to say, as long as there are no clear responses to questions like these, the judiciary branch cannot hope for a more positive public opinion regarding what they do.

The Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization expresses its deep sorrow regarding the fact that judicial procedures were not followed for these two cases. Furthermore, this organization condemns the approval and rushed execution of the verdict, and asks that the judiciary issues a responseregarding the ambiguities that surround these two cases as soon as possible.

–Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution Organization

Interview with Hossein Karroubi and Alireza Namvar Haghighi

by  Maryam Mohammadi

Source: Radio Zamaneh
Date: January 26, 2010

On Monday, January 25th [2010] a sentence was quoted from Mehdi Karroubi on almost all foreign and domestic media outlets. In response to the pro-government Fars news agency’s reporter who had asked “Do you recognize the current president as the legally elected president of Iran?”, Karroubi had [allegedly] replied positively. This response was reflected in different outlets with varying accompanying explanations.

We first hear what happened from the perspective of Hossein Karroubi, Karroubi’s son, and then in an interview with AliReza Namvar Haghighi, Canadian-based professor and political analyst, we discuss the effect of Karroubi’s recent position about the government on the ongoing resistance movement that has broken out after last year’s elections in Iran.

Here are Hossein Karroubi’s explanations about the incident: … Continue Reading

Interview with Alireza Namvar Haghighi: A Mediating Group Must be Created

Alireza Namvar Haghighi, political analyst, talks to Radio Zamaneh  about Mousavi’s  recommendations.

by Hassan Alavi

Source: Radio Zamaneh
Date: Monday, January 4, 2010

Radio Zamaneh: There are different assessments about Mir Hossein Mousavi’s seventeenth statement regarding where the focus of his declaration lies; a five-step proposal has been put forth in order to escape the current crisis. If the statement is considered a consensus for all factions within the government as well as a way out of the crisis, is there any possibility of it succeeding and, , if so , what are the mechanisms? Dr. Alireza Namvar Haghighi, a political analyst living in Canada, speaks to Radio Zamaneh:

Alireza Namvar Haghighi: Mr. Mousavi has attempted to offer solutions and propose a compromise to overcome the violence while considering the existing realities among political parties in power as well as the goals of the social movement created following the [June 2009] election. Mr. Mousavi has based his work in the fact that his demands are in accordance with the constitution and aim to restore its forgotten principals; that in the current situation, employing violence is worthless; that arresting the leaders [of the green movement] –  Messrs Khatami, Karoubi and Mousavi – will not impede the progress of the movement. Therefore, he has raised suggestions [that are in their best interests] to accept.
… Continue Reading

50 Prominent Iranian Academic Figures in Support of Mousavi’s 17th Statement

Source: BahmanAgha
Date: January 13, 2010

Mir Hossein Mousavi’s 17th statement can be considered his most influential during the seven months since the green movement was born. After its release, prominent figures, groups and political factions reviewed and evaluated its contents from different angles and highlighted various aspects of the text.

The signatories of this statement – those who desire structural, democratic change; who support the rights of all citizens regardless of faith, ideals, ideologies, ethnicity, or gender; who also promote the separation of church and state – believe that [Mousavi’s 17th] declaration provides notable suggestions. A broad consensus regarding these recommendations can facilitate unity and coordination within the non-violent movement of the Iranian people and, like never before, isolate the authoritarian and aggressive regime. We believe that: … Continue Reading

Farrokh Negahdar on Mousavi’s 17th Statement: Let’s Believe the Spring

Source: Roozonline
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010

Now, a week after Mousavi’s 17th statement was issued, I can say with greater certainty that it has changed the tumultuous [atmosphere], which has been redirected toward finding a political solution to the crisis at hand. [I say this in light of] the horrific Ashura protests and the subsequent, less-than-enthusiastic pro-government rallies. Mousavi’s statement has helped to calm the apprehension of our activists and bolster their hope while marking the “overthrow of the establishment” or an “inevitable blood-bath” as increasingly unlikely options. Moreover, he has neutralized the tactics of terror and intimidation [utilized by the establishment]. Mousavi’s innovation was very timely and paved a path of rational decision-making to move the country farther away from falling into a whirlpool.
… Continue Reading

Mehdi Jami on Mousavi’s 17th Statement: Mousavi’s Statement on the Day of Ashura – The Last Option Before Collapse

by Mehdi Jami
Source: Sibestan
Source: Jaras
Date: January 13, 2010

Without doubt Mousavi’s statement on the Day of Ashura was voice of reason in [this] chaos of irrationality and ignorance. The chaos that is instigated by domestic Taliban and their disciples and supporters. The domestic Taliban is tempted to continue until the last one in opposition is eliminated and feels the lust of having the power of destruction. It knows that at the end of the road there could only be complete annihilation and defeat but it desires to destroy you even at the cost of destroying itself. … Continue Reading

Farrokh Negahdar on Mousavi’s 17th Statement: Relevance

About the Author: Farrokh Negahdar (1946) was born into a middle-class family of civil servants. He was an activist and, thereafter, a leader of the Iranian student movement during the 60s. He was imprisoned for about 10 years (1968-1978) and was a member of the founding group of the Fadaian Organisation. From 1978 and onwards, he was a member of its leadership.

Farrokh Negahdar was elected as leader of the Organisation of Iranian People’s Fadaian (Majority) (OIPFM, www.fadai.org), in May 1982 and held the position until August 1990. He has been living abroad, in exile, since May 1983. He is married and has one son, 28. … Continue Reading