Exclusive: Shah of Iran's Heir Plans Overthrow of Regime

Human Events ^ | May 1, 2006 | Human Events

[Cheburashka]

I think that supporting cavemen dictators that rule "with an iron fist" is wrong.
---
You must be very pleased with Iran as it is presently constituted.
Jimmy Carter worked hard to remove the tyrant. And we see the fruits of his labor.
The blind application of one principle without consideration of any others will generally lead to that sort of disaster.
As an American I think that the best form of government is a republic where all are equal before the law.
Certain countries, such as Great Britain, Canada, various European countries have kept monarchies for reasons of tradition and local preference. It being their preference I do not begrudge them their choice.
Former royalty that have been useful in the stabilization of their homeland's young democracies. The ex-King of Afghanistan was instrumental in the formation of the Republic of Afghanistan. Ex-Tzar Simeon of Bulgaria was elected prime minister of Bulgaria in 2001, and four years later voted out of office.
The removal of the ayatollahs is the priority. After that, the people of Iran should have the right to choose any form of government they desire. I would prefer it be a republic, with thanks given to the former crown prince for his services to freedom. But if it is freely chosen, it is the Iranian people's choice.

[Reborn]

LET'S TAKE NOTE OF THIS---

REZA: Look, I think I can be effective, and the reason I have stayed behind until now was because I wanted to exhaust every avenue of possibility so that the opposition can gather itself and collectively work on a common agenda. Within the next two or three months, we’ll know if the result of two or three years of intense effort is going to pay off.

HE: Two or three months?

REZA: Two or three months. This summer.

Oh how I hope and pray this is real. Reza isn't the type to speak saying nothing. I'm really impressed with him. He says WITHIN the next two or three months so we should see something soon. The world needs a free Persia, and it would be the perfect solution if these folks can (with behind the scenes help-heh) pull it off.

[sebastian-1994]

I used to think Reza Pahlavi is possibly a hero for our nation but now! i have doubt in it.he can not categorize his own way, finally no one could understand that is he supporting the ambitious of Islamic regime or he wants an absolute change in the system.Despite The majesty Mohammad reza shah Pahlavi who was a tough leader and used to announce his position without any fear, Prince Reza Pahlavi is not that hard core and what ever i have observed has been a very soft face who try to gain much popularity a popularity that has no usage at the moment for him.Three years ago he had enough fans(included me myself) that destroying the regime of Iran was seemed so easy but....after sometimes this doubt and this incomplete decision of making the change(as i remember Mr Reza Pahlavi proclaimed this plan 4 years ago in a very great interview and he reassured all of Iranians that this could be done if we believe in him)in the foundation and also lots of casualties one after one in every street protest made people less hopeful to majesty Reza Pahlavi.However if he start the promised movement as soon as possible the popularity will com back for sure, since he is the most famous leader of opposition against the present government.........

[sebastian-1994]

....Also Prince Reza Pahlavi should be so careful of his says and manner about the us government(same as what he did befor)because if optimistically everything goes according to plan and he will become the third king of Pahlavi dynasty then what will go to the relations of Iran and U.S.A the relationship that went unpopular.In my opinion this plan is not possible unless the help of U.S.A be added to the prescription of new revolution.

[angcat]

LOL

What a bunch of freaks. Nothing like notifying the enemy.

[wtc911]

His father was a punk who had to be dragged into the 1953 coup against his will. The CIA AAR describes him as being "pathologically afraid". At the first sign of trouble he fled to Italy and had to be dragged back.

Over 50% of Iranians never lived under the shah and those who did are the ones who threw him out. I find it hard to believe that these same people would rally to his son's flag.

[RoadTest]

Yup. Any enemy of Jimmah Cawtuh is a friend of mine! If peanut brain didn't like him he couldn't have been all that bad.

Another thought: It took upwards of 150,000 of the world's finest to enable a free election in Iraq. I'd hate to turn the Iranians against us by invading their country; but how can free elections be held there if it's anything like Iraq? Wouldn't the defeated military then become insurgents and shut down democracy?

[MadIvan]

People forget that it took a strongman, namely Ataturk, to make it so that Turkey didn't fall for radical Islam. Iran needs another such strongman desperately.

Regards, Ivan

[wtc911]

Read the history...he was dragged, kicking and screaming into the coup and then built his own gestapo to do his dirty work.

[nuconvert]

I know.
I've said before, this summer is going to be a hot one in Iran. Lots going on.

[wtc911]

You need to read THE PERSIAN PUZZLE. Mossedegh was a loony, and while popularly elected, he drifted into loonyness and started coddling the Soviets. The Russians controlling the Persian Gulf was unthinkable. Mossadegh even entertained people in his underwear according to the book. (Ex-Pat Iranians widely love the book)

=========================================================

The only pertinent words in your first sentence are "popularly elected"...the rest is excuse for trashing international law.

Of course iranian ex-pats love the book...it tells their side.

[nuconvert]

Dorood, Sebastian.

I have noticed a renewed dedication and vigor from Reza Pahlavi, especially since January. He has been doing many more interviews and I believe working sincerely hard to bring an end to the regime thru cooperation of the various opposition groups.
This interview was the most revealing I've seen and I like what he says.

The problem with the democratic-freedom movement in the past, has been a lack of solidarity and unity between the opposition groups. Reza understands this and the absolute necessity to bring people together for the common goal of overthrowing the regime. No one group can do it alone.

There is strength in numbers and I hope Reza Pahlavi can bring the numbers together under one unifying cause.

[nuconvert]

I think Pahlavi has been trying to keep Washington out of his speeches and interviews as much as possible, so that Iranians don't feel they're having a repeat of history.

[wtc911]

You guys in the "blame Carter" school of propoganda always avoid the hard truth that it was the iranian people who took to the streets and faced death for months who threw the thug out(although here you accidently admit it with the admission that Carter 'allowed' the shah's fall).

The shah wasn't booted simply because Carter said so. He was booted because his own people were tired enough of him and his gestapo to force a change.

None of what I say exonerates Carter...he was the worst POTUS in the 20th Century.

And, using the regime that the iranians got stuck with as an argument for why they should have kept the shah is a straw-man. They thought they would do better and got screwed. Nobody knew what was coming.

Finally, are you or your parents iranian ex-pats enjoying the freedoms that even California offers?

[freekitty]

Nothing like broadcasting it to the world, that is, if it is true or not.

[SittinYonder]

mark

[wtc911]

The majesty Mohammad reza shah Pahlavi who was a tough leader and used to announce his position without any fear...

__________________________________________________

A couple of things here...you are obviously not American, just here to push your agenda....We do not regard anyone as majesty (it runs contrary to our view of ourselves and our own worth)....you call the shah fearless, our CIA called him a coward. I think I'll take their word for it....his gestapo (the sAVAK he hid behind) was tough...he wasn't....but good luck to you...

[Fred Hayek]

I worked with some Iranian engineers shortly after the Iranian Revolution. Through family contacts in Iran, their assessment of Iran was that the problems under the Shah were nothing compared to the mess made by the mullahs. I asked if it was going from "bad to worse", the reply was "No, things have gone from very mildly bad (under the Shah) to impossible (under the Ayatollah). Things have gotten so bad people would even welcome the Russians."

IMO, I don't want to see a war in Iran (but realistically I would also say "keep your powder dry"). This is the best opportunity to help change the regime since the Solidarity union in Poland.

[nuconvert]

You're a bully and a Troll on these threads. You always have been. You come to them to make trouble and start arguments.

FR is open to people from all over the world, whether you like it or not and they don't have to abide by your rules.

Your insults about the Shah ("His father was a punk") are fighting words and I'm sick of it.

[wtc911]

I bully no one, ever. I state facts that disturb you.

Our own CIA AAR report described the shah as a coward (it was written by Schwarzkopf's father). They had to use his own sister to shame him into action.

When the coup did not succeed on day one reza fled the country and had to be dragged back from Italy. That is the action of a punk, not a hero. This is not opinion, it is historic fact.

The shah needed a gestapo-style secret police to maintain power and even that didn't work. His own people threw him out.

There is no royal reza "dynasty". Two rezas either seized power or were put there as our (US and UK) puppets.

I do not call freepers any derogatory names. Many freepers know next to nothing about iran's modern history. Many iranian freepers use this forum to mis-educate. I do not come to these threads to do anything but set the record straight. If that interferes with the propoganda then so be it.