Iran's Mousavi calls for new opposition demo

Malaysian Mirror ^ | February 27, 2010

[nuconvert]

TEHRAN -Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi Saturday called for the staging of a fresh anti-government rally in Tehran to prove depth of support for his so-called Green Movement among disenchanted Iranians.

Opposition attempts to hold anti-government protests on February 11, when the nation marked the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution, were crushed by security forces and eclipsed by regime-sponsored mass rallies.

"I and Mr (Mehdi) Karroubi think that the Green Movement be allowed to stage a rally... in order to put an end to all speculation," Mousavi said, referring to Iran's other main opposition leader.

The supporters of the two leaders, who were defeated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June election they claim were massively rigged, have taken to streets whenever possible to stage anti-government demonstrations.

In an interview on his website Kaleme.com, Mousavi said the February 11 mass rally in Tehran marking the revolution anniversary was not spontaneous.

"I say that this rally was an engineered one," the former premier turned opposition leader said.

The presence of security forces on that day, he added, was "unprecedented" and the "tough (security) agents were not even tolerating a single person wearing green bands" -- the colour sported by his supporters.

"Never have we seen so many military police and security personnel in the streets. The violent and savage confrontation in Sadeqieh Square was unprecedented," he said referring to a Tehran square where protesters clashed with security forces on February 11.

[MuttTheHoople]

Until the Iranian people arm themselves, it’ll just be another exercise in martyrdom.

[combat_boots]

[ledzep]

Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. would disagree.

[gleeaikin]

Iran protest ping

[ATX 1985]

Until the Iranian people arm themselves, it’ll just be another exercise in martyrdom.

I read a great article in the Weekly Standard about the Iranian protests and the role of Islam. It is remarkable how different the Shi'ite Persians are from the Arab Sunnis who are much more rigid and dogmatic. In Khomeini's case, Islam works against him because unlike Marxism and Socialism, Islam transcends mankind's aspirations. Therefore Muslims in Iran have a sense of Justice, and that sense is written in scripture that cannot be changed by the mullahs. When Khomeini arrests senior clerics, it hurts his regime's credibility. The regime looks weak when instead of subtle micromanagement of society, they have to use henchmen like the Basij and Revolutionary Guard to quell an dissent. The Iranian people can be driven by martyrs. It is no surprise that Mousavi is still alive. The regime already has Neda on the minds of the Iranian people, they have to be very careful because if they kill another beautiful young girl from the right family there could be hell to pay. The article said one of the keys to toppling the regime is the low level Basij being more of a part of the movement as they see their family members killed and jailed.

[nuconvert]

I think you first need to differentiate between Khomeini and Khamenei. The former is dead, the latter unfortunately is not.

Next, IRI is a unique religious theocracy : Khomeinist. This is what it has been for 30 yrs and senior clerics have been arrested throughout that period, as well as use of IRGC & basij to control the people - nothing new to the Iranians.
It isn’t shiite as shia in other parts of the world and hasn’t been for it’s 30yrs of existence.

Yes, if basij & IRGC turn against the regime, they are done for.

[MuttTheHoople]

Gandhi and MLK were also protesting to Britain and the US, where justice and a sense of fair play rule. In Iran, the Persians have historically been cruel with little regard for human rights.

I just don't see Iran becoming free until we have a President who will stand up to the Mullahs.

[odds]

When Iranian people take up arms against the Regime, they are labeled: “terrorists”, who are supposedly funded and supported by CIA, and other “foreign enemies”, and are accused of being threats against national (mullah) security, enemies of God, drug traffickers, and so on..

When a very much armed Regime tortures, rapes and kills its own people, others are either silent about it or say Regime is trying to restore law and order..

>>>”……. it’ll just be another exercise in martyrdom.”

Totally agree. Unfortunately Regime insiders such as Moussavi/Karroubi, thru their foolish and futile calls for protests, re-election, negotiations with hardliners, and demands for more freedom, are facilitating this “exercise in martyrdom”, without achieving anything.

[odds]

>>>”In Iran, the Persians have historically been cruel with little regard for human rights.”

Do you have specific, historical, example(s) in mind?

I’ve no doubt there have “Persian” Dynasties, particularly post-Islam, who have exercised cruetly. But, let’s bear in mind that post-Islam in Iran, most dynasties ruling Iran, have not been of “Persian” ethnicity. And, the most cruel dynasties and rulers of Iran, post-Islam, were not ethnically “Persian”.

Certainly, historically, the depth & breadth brutality excerised by the Mullahs’ Regime toward Iranians of All religions, sects & ethnicities, in Iran, is almost unprecedented.