I saw this earlier (not here). Why would they be discussing it publicly? It seems like strategically, they'd not want it known?
I think it's part of a very complicated "chess game" in trying to put pressure on the Mullahs, but they only understand force.
Yeah, I had seen him pop up somewhere just this week and didn't *dare* hope that he'd be saying any thing like this. It's just so tempting, but I agree that my own somewhat superstitious nature wants it not to be jinxed.
He's saying a lot of right things, IMO, but I'm scared of the "too good to be true" syndrome. More prayer is needed.
Khomeini made his intentions known in France for years before he went back to Iran. He simply prepared the ground in Iran prior to his arrival and the people were ready to accept him. I think the Shahlet is thinking along the same lines but I seriously question whether the people of Iran would welcome the scion of one dictator to replace another.
In answer to why this is being publicised, here's my conspiracy theory.
1) Irrespective of whether there is such a movement, any authoritarian regime is paranoid. Now, any ayatollah pigeonshit who read this will be contacting all the republican guard families to make sure they are still in their fold. Different families who dont get along will be pointing fingers at each other. The ensuing confusion will be fun to watch.
2) All this seems like right out of a Mario Puzo classic, but it sure gets the regime worried.
3) If the movement isn't already underway, it will get some people interested, they'll contact Reza and it might turn out this way.
4) As for why people might welcome one dictator's son to replace the current dictatorship, just read a bit about politics in India with the Gandhi family. Especially about Indira Gandhi and you'll know how families work in Asian politics.
"Why would they be discussing it publicly? It seems like strategically, they'd not want it known?"
If you read Alan Peters' article of Iran - Justified Final Solution posted on FR and also on http://www.antimullah.com you would realize that someone or something has to replace or provide administrative coherence in the event of a large scale bombing attack which destroys the elite military to a man (insofar as possible) and leaves the ruling Mullahs (and not so ruling ones) at the mercy of the populace.
One of the points is that a government in exile or an NGO has to be prepared to help contain and control the chaos that would follow and step in with aid and comfort as if it were a massive earthquake instead of bombing.
With the hate the populace feels toward the mullahs unleashed by the removal of their military forces "bodyguards", there will not be many Mullahs left alive, so the current regime in any form would no longer be operational.
Because the late-Shah in reality served his people well, but certainly by contrast, was paradise on earth compared to the rule of the Mullahs, it's a natural catalytic umbrella to use initially to restore some semblance of order in a situation where nothing remains as authority or guidance. At least the Monarchy has a multitude of eager followers inside Iran, who like a drowning man would clutch at the royal straw and receive direction till democratic systems could be set up and other decisions - whatever they may be - take place.