Posted on 09/15/2006 5:21:32 AM PDT by nuconvert
Reza Pahlavi Offers Senators Three-Pronged Approach on Iran; Confront and Pressure the Regime, Support the People
9/14/2006
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Hosted by US Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) Reza Pahlavi of Iran affirmed the world needed to focus on the big picture regarding the crisis facing his homeland, proposing an integrated three- pronged policy approach to the clerical regime of Iran. Offering his views to US law makers, he said "the best way to deal with the Iranian regime is by confronting it, pressuring it, at the same time supporting the Iranian people."
Elaborating on his three point policy recommendation, the Iranian opposition leader said "Where ever the regime is up to mischief, it needs to be confronted." Prefacing his second point by emphasizing that meaningful pressure needed to be applied on the regime in such a way as to avoid hurting the Iranian people, he prescribed "a progressive set of smart and vigorous sanctions targeted at the economic, political and personal interests of the regime's inner circle and power base." The third and what he referred to as the most critical point of his policy recommendation was the need for the "free world to provide unapologetic and robust support for the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people."
Rejecting war as a policy option, the former jet fighter pilot said, "the option of war must be taken off the table." Pronouncing "endless diplomacy" as equally ineffective, he said "it has been fruitlessly pursued, with the full weight, backing and prestige of the European Union, Russia, the UN and the United States for several years now, only resulting in the clerical regime's inching closer to its objectives of acquiring WMDs." Pahlavi reminded his audience that the Iranian regime had been dangerously emboldened by "the lack of resolve it has seen amongst practitioners of international diplomacy on Iran."
Agreeing that war was not an option, Senator Santorum said, of Reza Pahlavi: "He is a leading and enthusiastic advocate of the principals of freedom, democracy and human rights for his countrymen;" adding that "Reza Pahlavi has upheld the honor of his country in a time of upheaval and darkness."
Marking the second of such appearances, in recent days, Reza Pahlavi was joined, last week, by Senator Brownback (R-KS) and Congressman Sherman, (D-CA) at a press event, at which the forty six year old Iranian leader introduced torture victims and former political prisoners of the Iranian regime converged in Washington to protest the U.S. tour of former Islamist President Khatami. At that event, Senator Brownback introduced the "Iran Human Rights Act," while Congressman Brad Sherman criticized the Bush administration's approval of Khatami's visit, calling it an appeasing concession to the clerical regime of Iran.
Earlier this summer, as part of his continuous campaign against the clerical regime, Reza Pahlavi was received at the French National Assembly where he addressed over 40 French lawmakers, pressing them and other senior policy makers on issues relating to the democratic movement in his homeland.
Asked what role he envisioned for himself, Reza Pahlavi said "my function is that of a catalyst -- raising global attention to our national plight, and helping bring the Iranian opposition together." He added "my goal is to enable my compatriots to participate in an all inclusive, transparent national election, beyond this regime, whereby they can choose their form of government; beyond that, should the Iranian people embrace my vision of a secular, modern and democratic system of constitutional government, I will be honored to serve."
Leading a campaign of political defiance against the militant Islamist regime of Iran, Reza Pahlavi is the former Crown Prince of Iran. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force training program, has a political science degree from the University of Southern California and has authored Winds of Change, The Future of Democracy in Iran. He is married and is father to three daughters.
Senator Santorum, Senator Martinez thank you for inviting me here, thank you especially for holding this meeting in this great house.
My respect for this institution is enormous as it embodies the best of America's promise to the world -- in terms of what liberty and representative democracy means. You see it, and you practice it here everyday; a dream my compatriots -- I am hopeful -- will see in reality someday very, very, soon.
Senator Santorum, over the years your leadership has stood apart when it comes to the issue dearest to 70 million Iranians. You have been among the first and strongest proponents of democracy in Iran and have stood up for freedom wherever it has been suppressed, in Iran or elsewhere around the world.
Senator Martinez, I thank you also for your leadership and am heartened that liberty and freedom are two words particularly close to your heart in view of your heritage, sir, and that of the constituency you so ably represent.
As you have both so well articulated, the dangers and issues confronting us today are very, very real; the biggest question however is how to best deal with the increasingly militant and adventurous regime in Tehran.
Clearly, war is an option rejected and which, as far as I am concerned, must be taken off the table; equally ineffective, is the process of endless diplomacy which has been fruitlessly pursued, now for several years -- with the full prestige, backing and weight of the European Union, Russia, the UN and the United States. The net result of this process has been that the militant clerical regime of Iran is today not only closer to reaching its enrichment objectives, but also recklessly emboldened by the lack of resolve it has seen amongst the practitioners of international diplomacy.
I believe and would like to present for your serious consideration, and sharing with your colleagues, my view on how to best deal with the clerical regime of Iran: It is an integrated three-pronged policy of "Confrontation, Pressure and Support." I believe the regime needs to be confronted where ever it is up to mischief (i.e. Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia or even right here in the western hemisphere); simultaneously the regime needs to be pressured by way of a progressive set of smart, vigorous and targeted sanctions aimed at the economic, political and personal interests of the regime, not the people; all while, the world will need to provide unapologetic and robust support for the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people.
This is a policy that will without a doubt require international support, but one which need not necessarily be kept hostage to the commercial interests of certain nation-states that have proven less than reliable in terms of standing up to the bullying of the clerical regime.
In closing, I wish to leave you with this thought: Throughout our long and proud history, the Iranian nation has had to, time and again, stand up to, and overcome much adversity. This too, is a passing storm in our long history. We are determined and have no doubt that we will ride this storm to victory -- achieving our goal of liberty, modernity and democracy. Our struggle, however, will become much easier knowing that we will have the unwavering support of nations that choose -- today -- to side with us, in our national quest for democracy.
The time to make that choice is now.
P O N G
PONG
Perhaps he should have introduced some torture victims of his father's regime.
I hope and pray for a free Iran. However, this guys will never, ever, be the Shah.
Two questions:
You prefer Khomeini and his heirs over the Shah?
hmm can you point out where that has been said... I couldn't find it .
The one thing the regime fears most is it's own people.
I think Reza Pahlavi is the scariest thing to the mullahs; Scarier than anything we or the EU might be willing to do at the moment. Pahlavi represents true hope for ending the regime. He's a bona fide contender for their replacement.
We should be backing his efforts and supporting the Iranian peoples' desire for freedom and true democracy.
Whether Pahlavi becomes head of state, is up to the Iranian people to decide. They may choose a form of gov't similar to that of England, with a king as more of a figurehead. He wants a democracy.
I would like to see the formation of a temporary, interim gov't in exile to be ready to take over and see the people thru their referendum vote on the type of new gov't they would like. That would have the regime soiling their robes big time, and I think it would be a catalyst for the Iranian people to unite against the regime.
Don't forget, the reason Pahlavi's dad got tossed out in the first place was because he was trying to modernize (i.e. westernize)Iran; the atavistic, backwards-looking Iranian masses rebelled against this, and that's why they're stuck with the mullahs (parenthetically this is also why their nuke program has stalled; it's a wonder that folks with a 7th century mindset have gotten this far with it). Pahlavi Jr., with his preppie, Williams College education, is going to have a tough time squaring this circle.
When it comes to opposition, there is real evidence the [PMOI, MEK, NCRI] are the scariest thing to the mullahs. To be sure, the mullahs will do anything to stay in power, no matter who suggests an ambition to depose them. When it comes to RP, LA based TV broadcasts have yet to depose the mullahs or reveal details of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Do you think he’s softening the ground for democracy’s arrival in Iran or a return to pre79 dictatorship?
Perhaps introducing torture victims of his father's regime would tend to obsure the fact that his father was fighting a battle with forces that wanted to align Iran with the Soviet Union, and were equally guilty of heinous crimes.
Of course, apologists for the Ayatollah's actions, which were hundreds of times more offensive (and more random, rather than focusing on those who sought to establish a more tyrannical regime) will continue to point to the Shah's flaws, while ignoring the far worse offenses that took place once the Shah was deposed.
Reza Pahlavi is already on record as not seeking the Peacock Throne - but to try to establish freedome for the people of Iran, and a more democratic country.
Mike
"Don't forget, the reason Pahlavi's dad got tossed out in the first place was because he was trying to modernize (i.e. westernize)Iran;"
That was a small part in a much more complicated scenario. and that part was organized by the mullahs, whom the Shah had unempowered. They were teaching the evils of modernization to their loyal followers in order to gain back what the Shah had stripped them of, but the general population was enjoying the freedoms of modern life.
The Iranian people and the cities have modernized and moved on from that time. The regime is trying to hold things back, but it's a futile battle for the most part.
Satellite dishes and computers and cell phones have taken over. The people want what the rest of the free world has.
Reza Pahlavi is very in touch with Iran and on all societal levels.
Reza Pahlavi is a walking zero--read Kenneth Timmerman's book about the coming crisis with Iran for details. Basically, he's a playboy, not a crown prince.
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nice Stalinist trick to state that any sober and accurate look at the offenses of the shah must come from apologists for the ayatollahs. Like all stalinist tactics it is cute but dishonest. The shah (who was described by our own CIA as being 'pathologically afrtaid') was a corrupt dictator who was put on the make-believe throne by a foreign power and kept there through the gestapo-like tactics of his secret police. His own people died to throw him out.
Junior shah lives in safety and luxury that is paid for by the billions that his father and his cronies stole from their own people. He will likely die in wealthy exile without ever having accomplished a thing.
MEK is scary to the regime because of their forceful ability as an armed resistance. However, the regime is well aware that very few Iranian people would back MEK. So again, it is the power of the people that is the decideing force.
The population themselves are the true power and the real fear of the regime. Anyone with real knowledge of Iran agrees.
Do I think that Reza Pahalvi is even capable of being a dictator? Absolutely not.
He wants a democracy.
IMO - The Iranian people couldn't ask for a more dedicated, honest, loyal, nationalist, democratically-minded, respected leader.
I truly think he's the hope for Iran's future.
I just hope he's strong enough for the job. The first gov't after the current regime will be under attack from the mullahs and whomwever remains of their followers - and the MEK.<They will be a source of trouble until the Rajavi's are dead.
It's going to be a very dangerous job.
You seem to think that Timmerman is against Pahlavi. They've known each other for years and shows up at rallies in favor of Pahlavi quite often.
Which book are you referring to?
You're absolutely correct.
He certainly painted a very negative picture of him in his book.
They've known each other for years and shows up at rallies in favor of Pahlavi quite often.
Well, if that was the case, after his description of Pahlavi's spending habits, their next get-together must've been quite strained.
Which book are you referring to?
I believe the title is The Coming Confrontation with Iran.
I think Jimmah Carter had something to do with it also.
And don't forget the feckless French for warehousing that lunatic Khomeni.
--I think Jimmah Carter had something to do with it also.
And don't forget the feckless French for warehousing that lunatic Khomeni--
Sure, but in any civilized nation, Khomeni's rantings would have fallen on deaf ears. The Iranian masses liked his "lets go back to the 7th century" line and Khomeini thus became the focal point of an ultra-reactionary movement favored by the vast majority of Iranians AT THAT TIME anyway.
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