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

Abbas Abdi on Mousavi’s 17th Statement: Opportunities are Vanishing like Clouds

by Abbas Abdi
source: ayande
Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010

Mr. Mousavi’s last statement will be a memorable statement in Iranian politics. In my opinion it provides the authorities with a good opportunity to change their policy of elimination and extremism. The extremist authorities should take note that the status quo within Iranian society today requires rebuilding trust towards government. They shouldn’t be fooled with the demonstrations after Ashura. The organizers of that event know better than anyone how much effort and resources they had to put into this event in order to gather those people and yet not all the participants were there willingly and voluntarily and not all of them were in agreement with government actions. Sooner or later the Iranian government will have to face some serious challenges. Whether it be inforeign policy or the nuclear issue or economics , disagreement between people in the powers that be, is the challenge that government will have to face sooner or later. … Continue Reading

Appeal to International Organizations: Ebrahim Yazdi’s Life in Danger

Friends and relatives of Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi have expressed concern over the state of his health and have appealed to international organizations for help in securing his release.

A Jaras reporter  in Tehran has confirmed that Yazdi, a member of the Islamic Revolution Council, had been spotted in prison attire in the revolutionary court on Moalem St last week. He had been brought there to extend his temporary arrest warrant and appeared to look extremely haggard and unwell. In addition, his family had been asked to bring him medicine and personal hygiene items. Dr. Yazdi is 79 years old and suffers from several ailments. Two years ago he traveled abroad to be treated with chemotherapy and underwent surgery months ago. Yazdi’s family and friends are seriously concerned for his health. A member of the Freedom Movement of Iran who wished to remain anonymous told the Jaras reporter: “We plead for all human rights organizations, as well as all those who care about humanity to help secure our leader’s freedom so that he can proceed with his medical treatment. His life is in danger.”

Dr Yazdi has already been arrested twice over the past year. During the latest incident, officials from the Ministry of Intelligence arrived at his home at 3am on 28 December 2009 (the day afer the bloody Ashura protests).. Two weeks ago, counter to the constitution, the Iranian government had completely prohibited the oldest Islamic political party in Iran from engaging in any political activity. Several party members, as well as family members of the party leaders have been arrested..

Yazdi was also held in detention for 72 hours during the aftermath of last year’s presidential election, during the time that he was hospitalized.. Some say that he is the oldest prisoner in Iran.

Mousavi’s 17th Statement: “Killing us will only make us stronger.”

Source: Kaleme
Date: Friday, January 1, 2010

In the name of God, the Merciful and the Compassionate,

“Greetings to Hussein, the third Imam; Indeed, I am a friend to those who are your friends, and I fight against those who fight you. I am companion to those who accompany you, and an enemy to your enemies. I wish I were with you; if this were the case, my success would be a glorious victory.”(A Hadith)[i]

Despite numerous requests, neither Hojatoleslams Karoubi and Khatami, nor I, nor any of my friends, issued any statements for the rituals commemorating Imam Hussein. Nevertheless, pious people went to the streets, proving that the vast social and civil networks that people themselves formed during and after the election do not wait for us or our statements. People took to the streets even while lacking a newspaper to accompany and encourage them, or a fair and impartial national broadcasting channel. Yet again, every nation and, indeed, the whole world, witnessed the mourners of Imam Hussein walking the streets and speaking the name of Hussein.  They marched non-violently, without any radical slogans, down the roads and avenues of their own choosing. … Continue Reading