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.
--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.--
It may be that YOUNG (i.e too young to remember 1979) may want modern goodies, but their parents who took to the streets and risked their lives to oust the Shah do not. When the older generation (and the blackrobed fanatics they put into office) begins taking a dirt nap en masse, maybe that's when things will change. IIRC correctly things like sattelite dishes, cell phones, designer burkahs etc tend to show up in the big cities (Tehran, Isfahan etc.)but in the backcountry (Iran's version of our "red" heartland) fundamentalism (and the 7th century) still have strong appeal.
"It may be that YOUNG (i.e too young to remember 1979) may want modern goodies, but their parents who took to the streets and risked their lives to oust the Shah do not."
You're wrong. And the numbers are against those of the Parents, even if you were correct.
70% of the population is under the age of 30.
Many of the parents of those young people who did take part in protests back in the Shah's days (and the vast majority did not), regret what they did.
The majority of the population wants the regime out.
" 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."
Where do you get this crap? Ted Koppel?
MEK/NCRI are bunch of terrorists according to State Dept
Where would you get that idea? Quite frankly, I couldnt care less who runs Iran, as long as they stop giving us a hard time.
I just think that its revisionist history to look back at the Shah with rose colored glasses. His was a repressive regime. He was a bad guy who stole from his people. He tortured his people. He put his people in jail. He got what he deserved.
Would a democratic Iran be great? Absolutely.
Just don't assume that because I am anti-Shah, that I am pro Khomeini.
“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.”
Interestingly, there isn’t a reference to China. I believe there should be (not enough to include it, for example, as part of the UN). China is very dangerous with incredible political and economic ambitions, not only in the Middle East but also in S.America and Africa.
The bottom line is that sooner or later the EU will have to make a 'final choice' between their economic interests based on relations with Iran and their own security (never mind global security). Hopefully, sooner than later. People like Sarkozy, if elected to be the next President of France, can play a positive role in putting more meaningful pressure on Iran.
About the comment that “he will never be the Shah..”
People are entitled to their opinions. But for one thing and as ‘humint’ put it, RP, as an Iranian, has every right to be considered as a legitimate candidate in whatever form of government (especially in a Democracy). Besides, it is and will be up to the Iranian people to choose not others.
The bottom line is that sooner or later the EU will have to make a 'final choice' between their economic interests based on relations with Iran and their own security (never mind global security).
I believe they will choose correctly...eventually. (Well maybe not the French) But only when it is almost too late, in the mean time it will be...interesting.
"I believe they will choose correctly...eventually.(Well maybe not the French)"
My hope is that Sarkozy gets elected and the French come to the party. From what I've read and heard thru the French media lately, the French are looking for a change too, given last year riots in France and more recent situation in Lebanon and also this piece of news:
"Al-Qaida joins Algerians against France"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060914/ap_on_re_eu/france_al_qaida_video
With Blair gone in the near future (Gordon Brown as a potential replacement), there will be no telling which way the political scene might shift.
Also, I think the outcome of the mid-term elections in November in the U.S. will have implications and an impact across the Atlantic.
"Al-Qaida joins Algerians against France"
I saw that. Birds of a feather.....
The thing about the French is they can always be counted on to do what they think is in their best interest and the rest of the world can go suck an egg.
"world can go suck an egg"
lol... I know what you mean.
Can their cheese come back and bite them in Le Derrière? ;-) hehe
<< I hope and pray for a free Iran. However, this guy will never, ever, be the shah. >>
Please God!
His father's SAVAK savages set the standard for all of the mid-east's similarly seriously murderous 'security' savages.
"Where do you get this crap? Ted Koppel?"
WTF does Ted Koppel have to do with anything? Trying to democratize an Arab or Persian society is like trying to get a cat to bark!
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