Iran opposition to apologise to US for embassy siege

Telegraph ^ | 2 Nov 2009 | Damien McElroy and Ahmad Vahdat

[FourPeas]

Leaders of Iran's opposition movement are to make an unprecedented apology to the US on the 30th anniversary of the storming of the American embassy in Tehran.

In a gesture likely to provoke fury among hardliners in the Tehran regime, they will apologise on Wednesday for the hostage crisis that gripped the world for 444 days and led to a decisive break between Iran and the US, which is now routinely denounced as "the Great Satan".

Organisers of the Green Movement, the umbrella group that seeks to overturn the official result of the June presidential election, plan to use the official commemoration of the take over to make a fresh assault on the revolutionary credentials of Iran's leadership.

[FourPeas]

An interesting move on the part of Iran's Green Movement.

[FourPeas]

Protesters plan to deliver a letter addressed to President Barack Obama to the US embassy in London and deliver commemorative plaques to American embassies across Europe.

This may get very, very ugly.

[Carley]

Oh please. Barforama

[FourPeas]

Why is that?

[demshateGod]

Obama will reject their apology and apologize on behalf of all Americans for provoking the peaceful Iranians by having American imperialists on their sacred holy ground.

[luvbach1]

A pity the apologies and plaques couldn’t be delivered to a president who doesn’t believe the embassy and diplomat seizures were justified.

[Constitution Day]

Nice.

However, Obama will no doubt FIRST apologize for our being there in the first place so that our embassy could be overrun.

It’s all our fault, you know.

[Yossarian]

An interesting move on the part of Iran's Green Movement.

While I note this move, and am not against it, here's a far better move:

1. Form a government in exile;
2. That government should authorize the raising of an army;
3. That "Green Iran Army" should overthrow by all means necessary Iran's ruling theocracy, and replace it with a Representative Republic.

Only then may the good people in Iran avoid the fate that will befall their country if/when Israel and her allies act on the the mullah's genocidal nuclear program.

Oh, yeah, while they're at it: DUMP ISLAM, AND CATCH BACK UP TO US HERE IN THE 21ST CENTURY!

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[SolidWood]

Big doo-doo for the extremists if part of the “Khomeinist coalition”(of which Mousavi was/is part of) is crumbling and breaking with the doctrinary anti-Americanism of the extremists.

Better late than never. Maybe the former Revolutionaries can apologize next to the majority of Iranians who never wanted them, nor took part in the shameful action against the US embassy.

[toast]

It would be nicer if they were actually sorry instead of trying to pick a fight with the hardliners.

[FourPeas]

How do you know they’re not?

[SolidWood]

It should be underlined that this is the part of the “opposition” around Mousavi etc. in other words those who were part of the islamic regime and now are breaking away in order to stop the power grab by the ultra-extremists (Ahmadinejad).

Other parts of the opposition, such as secular Nationalists, Monarchists and others of course have nothing to apologize for in the first place. To the contrary. The US Democrats owe them an apology for Carter stabbing the Shah in the back which made Khomeini’s victory in 1979 possible in the first place.

[doug from upland]

It’s time to drop small arms into Iran for the good guys who want freedom; add ammo that has a short shelf life. Let’s give ‘em a shot for freedom.

[SolidWood]

Which country would be willing to host a “Free Iran Army”? The US isn’t into the “Exile Army” business since Bay of the Pigs. And with Obama... he’d rather host the “Revolutionary Guards” rather than any opposition group.

[counterpunch]

0bama will find a way turn it into an opportunity to prop up Ahmadinejad again.

[cvq3842]

Yes - a small step, but interesting.

I’m well past tired of hearing from leftist fronts how America, its society and culture are rotten. Let the world worry about what WE think of THEM for a change!

[DTogo]

Wednesday night is B-ball with the boys, and Michelle has latin dance lessons after gardening.

Some other time, uh, maybe...

[Salvey]

Obama will reject their apology and apologize on behalf of all Americans for provoking the peaceful Iranians by having American imperialists on their sacred holy ground.

My immediate thought, exactly.

[nuconvert]

“Only a small and repressive minority who rule Iran today still insist on keeping Iran on a confrontation course with the US, Britain and the West and indeed they have now taken the Iranian people as hostage to their destructive policies.”

Pong

[jennyjenny]

I guess that’s, that. All will be well now.

[SolidWood]

Iran has been held hostage since 30 years. Weren’t it for the war against Saddam (rally around the flag effect) Khomeini and his gang would have been dumped in the early 1980’s. Little surprise that Khomeini dragged the war on for almost a decade. It was his ultimate insurance against internal insurrection.

[RaceBannon]

I am truly stunned, if this is true, I just wont know what to say!

[Islaminaction]

Yea, all of a sudden they care.

[metesky]

Who cares? This is like Presidink Zero apologizing for everything in sight.

[Islaminaction]

Mousavi has already stated that he will keep the Islamic part of the government.

[Repeat Offender]

We should write gracious “thank yous” on J-DAMS and send them express to the Ayatollah.

[FourPeas]

It never ceases to amaze me that some conservatives, faced with people fighting for their own freedom, forget that at one time Americans fought against tyrants. I hope if the next generation find it necessary to fight off a tyrannical government, all the peoples around the world that Pres. Obama has insulted don’t take it out on our children.

[FourPeas]

Uh....not exactly. It’s been years and years that Iranian young people have sought to change their government. They are gaining strength. Young Iranians will likely shed blood attempting to deliver this apology.

[FourPeas]

All will likely not be well. This is an unheardof step. Ahmadi’s regime will likely respond with at least baton wheilding thugs.

[Chode]

but didn't the Zer0 already apologize to the Iranians for forcing them into taking the hostages???

[FourPeas]

This is much, MUCH different than Pres Obama apologizing. This isn't the Iranian regime going through the motions. This is people willing to risk their lives to deliver a message their government may likely kill to stop.

[FourPeas]

If he hasn’t already, I’m sure he’ll try to work it in somewhere.

[AliVeritas]

Speaking of which...

It’s strange how some remember it in hindsight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRussuLdqog

[rlmorel]

"...embassy siege..."

Embassy siege? WTF. How about an illegal violation of US sovereign territory and the 444 day IMPRISONMENT of AMERICAN CITIZENS?

Screw them. They can shove their "apology" up their own backsides.

[Randy Larsen]

Efem!

[guitarplayer1953]

does Iran have any embassies here?

[glock rocks]

Why is that?

[Islaminaction]

Uh....when what is happening in Iran actually slows down the advancement of Islam across the West, let me know.

Also let me know when Islam is actually taken out of their govt.

Thanks.

[SolidWood]

does Iran have any embassies here?

No. No direct diplomatic relations since then.

[SolidWood]

Reports of a blast near Khomeini's shrine

Pro-Ahmadinejad cleric killed in Iran

Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack

[SolidWood]

Screw them. They can shove their "apology" up their own backsides.

I'll hold you responsible for everything Carter, Obama and Pelosi did and do. You may have never had anything to do with it... but who cares... you are American, so are they. Isn't collective guilt wonderful?

Sheesh.

[SolidWood]

Mousavi is most certainly part of the old (and current) regime. Many major Revolutions had a transitional figure which was dumped after a time. The French Revolution didn't get rid of the King right away, Russia had it's Kerensky and after the Islamic Revolution 1979 there were for a year or so still leftist politicians in Government who weren't die-hard islamists.

Mousavi isn't going to be the destiny.

Removing the current regime should have top priority. The people won't settle for a mere personal change on top, they want an end to the repressive regime itself.

[guitarplayer1953]

Did not know sometimes its one sided.

[G8 Diplomat]

when what is happening in Iran actually slows down the advancement of Islam across the West, let me know.

Did killing Saddam stop the advancement of Islam in the West? Did overthrowing the Taliban stop it? Does killing AQ commanders hiding in Pakistan stop it? Just because something doesn't directly further this particular goal doesn't mean it's irrelevant.

Anyone who knows anything about Iran will tell you the majority of people under 30 (70% of the population) are not pious Muslims and are tired of having Islamic this and that shoved down their throats. They try to dress Western, only to be stopped by the religious police, some drink alcohol, and many have a favorable opinion of the US. More so than in the UK or Germany or France. Iranians were the only people in the Middle East to hold a 9/11 candlelight vigil, risking their lives to do so. It's not like Iraq or Afghanistan where Islam still has a strong hold among the population.

This isn't about Musavi, it stopped being about him months ago. He was simply the catalyst to anti-regime protests. Neda for example was not pro-Musavi according to her fiance. Anti-regime protests have been going on in Iran for a decade, these are simply the most intense ones. I saw a quote on one of the older Iran protest threads by an Iranian blogger explaining this and saying that religion should be left out the government. I also posted a picture awhile back of a protest sign that said "Down with the Islamic Republic."

As for Islam being taken out completely...the Shah was nominally a Muslim, but he was not a *true* Muslim and was quite secular, and thus a great friend of the US. The people do not want an Islamic constitution, and although a new government may be Muslim in name only, it doesn't mean it's truly *Islamic.*

[rlmorel]

Get off your high horse. If they want to issue a fake apology for the “siege”, let them. If they want to issue a genuine, heartfelt apology not as some political tool to give them leverage, I might listen.

Sheesh.

[SolidWood]

If they want to issue a fake apology for the “siege”, let them. If they want to issue a genuine, heartfelt apology not as some political tool to give them leverage, I might listen.

The overwhelming majority in the "opposition" (a heterogenous umbrella of several million people) had nothing to do with either the Revolution (done by 10% of the population then) nor the hostage taking. 70% of Iranians are under 30 years. That leaves 3% maximum who might have had direct relation to the Revolution. I fail to see the significance of a "heartfelt apology" for something a couple dozen extremists did back then and whose current representatives are being fought by the opposition.

Of course they apologize for political reasons... Considering that it is about toppling an hostile regime, I'm all for giving them that leverage.

These "collective guilt" platitudes are akin to demanding every white American to give an "heartfelt" apology for slavery.

[Islaminaction]

Like I said let me know....

Because if Islam is not addressed in the West, nothing happening overseas will matter.

[Islaminaction]

That’s nice, when Islam is stopped advancing across the West please let me know.

Because if it is not, nothing overseas matters.

[dervish]

They should apologize for the barracks bombing in Lebanon too.

This is a desperate attempt to attract US support. Unfortunately with the Appeaser-in- Chief it will not gain them official US support.