Ex-spy chief says Iran government about to collapse

bangkokpost.com ^ | Jan. 3, 2010

[Free ThinkerNY]

A former high-ranking intelligence official in Iran has called for his country to form better relations with the United States and Israel and says the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is on the verge of collapse.

In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post Sunday, Mohammad Reza Madhi, a former officer in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards' intelligence service, described Mr Ahmadinejad as ''crazy'' and unfit to lead his country.

''He has already destroyed international relationships with many countries and made them enemies of Iran,'' said Mr Madhi, who was forced to flee Iran in 2008 after being jailed for 73 years on what he described as ''trivial'' charges. ''This has cost the Iranian people so much. His ideas are dangerous.''

Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said on Friday he was ready to sacrifice his life in defence of the people's right to protest peacefully against the government after the worst unrest since the disputed June presidential election.

Mr Madhi, who says he was once the right-hand man of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and passed on information to respected cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died last month, has been in regular contact with the opposition Green Path of Hope group since he left Iran.

He said while his country should remain the Islamic Republic of Iran, religion and politics must be separated. ''The good clerics should help the people and the government, while the bad ones should be ousted from government,'' he said.

[C210N]

after being jailed for 73 years...

Pretty good trick for a 46 year old guy.

If the author means to say sentenced to 73 years, why don't they just say that?

[Navy Patriot]

I don't believe this report is accurate.

Too easy.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The former intelligence officer said that instead of imposing sanctions, western nations should look to supporting opposition groups and not recognise the Ahmadinejad government."

I agree a lot with this. We should fund and help the opposition groups covertly and not recognize the illegitimate government of Achma nutjob. If we have sanctions, they should be high end items like expensive cars, electronics, boats etc.. The stuff the regular people can't afford, but stuff Achma nutjob and his ilk can afford. Mostly, we need to figure out which opposition groups are legit and work with them.

[LibLieSlayer]

Was this the same guy that said we would be welcomed in Iraq with flowers and parades?

LLS

[1776 Reborn]

The people seem to being doing rather well without any further involvement from us. Obama would only mess things
up..........

[hennie pennie]

*ping*

[SengirV]

Yeah, just like all the experts and ex-whatevers saying WMDs were all over the place in Iraq.

Most seem to be full of it and only interested in advancing themselves in some way, shape or form.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

I don’t buy it.

[nikos1121]

I think it’s accurate, but Iran’s leader are able to rule with impunity because they don’t fear us.

Anyone who thinks this guy Ahmadinejod is going to cave in is nuttier than a fruit cake....

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Bump Dat...

[surrey]

If it ever happens you know O will take all of the credit.