MOJAHEDIN

ham1328

My mother was a very active member of the National Front. She was and is a strong admirer of Dr Mossadegh. She also opposes MEK as much as I do. In my opinion MK is doing JM a great disservice.

By associating JM with MEK he is soiling the good name of JM. I showed some of MK's writings to my mother. She was more than shocked and refused to accept it as JM's official line. I hope she is right and MK is speaking for himself not JM.

There is still a lot of admiration for JM. Not in me but among many people I respect such as my own mother and many friends. Associating them with MEK is a great way to destroy or weaken their support. Is this what you want to happen.

Shazdeh, That's it.

Shazdeh, That's it.

Simorgh

I like it that your are able to put aside emotions and look at things logically. Yer I agree IRI has to go. But I do not think that MEK will be of any help. On the contrary it would hinder the process. The same way your say that having Molla in NIAC turns people off, having MEK in opposition turns people off.

With MEK as the primary US supported opposition IRI will have a much stronger hand. It will be able to say "Aha! Didn't we tell you that it is USA and Israel who are behind the opposition{". They would actually be right! On the other hand with RP there is the nostalgia of the good old days of the Shah. Yes that puts MK and some Shah haters into a frenzy. But most of us remember those days as in fact the "good old days". Most of us did not have Savak after us. Most of us have fond memories of being able to walk the streets in safety. Without the hijab police. Without our children being send to war. Without gangs of Hezbollah beating us up. When 25 rials bought you a book! 

Anyway the approach of supporting a nationalist secular Iran worked for America. It worked for 25 years and would be working today if not for Carter. Why try something so risky as the MEK when you have the true and tried way? A strong Iran would keep the region including Iraq and Afghanistan in line and reduce the burden on the USA.

A MEK run Iran will not be realistic. First of all it won't happen democratically. If it was done by force it won't be stable. People will resent it and there will be non stop fighting until MEK are gone. After which there will be hell to pay for those who supported them.

That means the only use for them is as canon fodder. But there is not enough of them. And they are still hated by the people. So if America wants a harassment brigade like the contra. They should abandon MEK and make up something new.  At least it will not have the weight of Rajavi misleading bear. 

Masoud jaan, it was very

Masoud jaan, it was very enlightening to read your educational and factual comments. As a life time National Front member, I salute you and all those who keep the dream of great Dr. Mosadeq alive. 

....

اس‌ پنج پنج پنج پنج

تو که انقدر با هوشی

پس چرا هشتم شدی ؟

No Molla

Its actually 24 degrees celcius in Tel Aviv. 

VPK

Very true. As simplistic as it sounds congress is beholden to Israel because it is a vital demographic section of the electorate and provides a lot of political funding. But this is mainly the fault of the US political system where politicians running for power are beholden to interest groups. But it isn't just Israel which steers ME policy- there are all the Christian Evangelists who are even more Zionists than Jews. Then there are companies which are linked to the Industrial Military Complex and oil companies that want to see the status quo continuing. How much of the 2003 invasion of Iraq was motivated by pro-Israeli neocons and how much of it was by companies such as Haliburton and BP and Texaco? There were even people on the Left like Christopher Hitchens who supported it. The whole situation stinks too high heaven and this is exactly the unholy alliance which Trita Parsi talks about and which he himself is ironically part and parcel of.  It is very easy to pick on Jews as the key architects (and this is partly there own fault) because people like Wolfowitz, Krystol and Perl gave a face to Warmongers but most people did not see the more sinister invisible forces behing this messy conflict.

I say this is a compliment VPK. You are certainly knowledgeable but I think your good nature believes that these matters can be resolved honourably without sacrificing your integrity.  Israel brokered peace with the PLO not because it particularly cared about Palestinians but Arafat who had the blood of many Israelis on his hand actually managed to enforce the occupation of the West Bank by using Palestinians themselves to do it. And to a certain extent it worked! They kept Arafat happy, gave him a personal fortune and granted them autonomy but at the same time retained control of the border and continued to build settlements. Was Israel brokering peace with Arafat and the PLO an act of betrayal or a cunning means to an end. Alternatively, you can argue that trusting PLO was a bad idea because once Arafat didn't get what he wanted at Camp David with Barak and Clinton he started the next Intififada. 

Accpeting that the regime must be removed,  is empowering the MEK a good or bad thing? This isn't an easy answer. No, because it is immoral and the MEK have carried out henious criminal acts like the PLO in Lebanon. Yes, because they are good at killing akhunds and given that the US military is overstretched in Iraq and Afghanistan it seems they are the only people willing and crazy enough to carry out regime change.  How does this make me feel? Absolutelty terrible. But again I must stress that no action is unacceptable. If I was having this conversation with you 15 years ago I too would be opposed to all military action. Hell, I may have even worn a green wrist band and carried placards in support of Mousavi. Give peace a chance. It is far too late for that. The economy is ruined. Persepolis and ancient landmarks are under threat of destruction. The Caspian sea has been given to Russia on a silver platter. Forests are being cut down and lakes drying up. 8 people are being executed every hour. I cannot bear to see this go on any longer. We have to do something which is why I believe that if Bush skipped Iraq and sorted out Iran first we would not be in this moral conundrum first. This is also exactly what Senator McCain was saying who is opposed to the MEK but supported military action. 

.....

S5555,

Open your umbrella,

It's raining in Tel Aviv.

Simorgh

I agree there is no such thing as nations being friends. Would someone explain this to our congress? Many of whom happen to be more loyal to Israel than American. They keep talking about "our ME ally"? 

Now regarding MEK. I have said it will be to the detriment of Israel to support MEK. They will alienate Iranians and prop up the IRI. Maybe that is their real plan. If they really want to help their own position they should support RP. Or do nothing. Funding MEK is idiotic at best and suicidal at worst. Remember these same geniuses created Hamas to fight PLO. Now they are stuck like "Khar to gel". Just like Americans create the Taliban and now have to fight them. The policy makers have no sense.

Molla

For the sake of the NIAC keep your mouth shut! Any organisation which has you as a member is a turn off. 

Shazdeh - I remember someone saying.....

"Don't take me for a kid and my pen for some candy ... show me the proof. Email Keh Vaseh Fati Tomboon Nemisheh!"

OK Shazdeh, I can show you a few more open forum / documented NIAC conferences in which distinguished US guests such as Senators, Representatives and policy-makers have talked about IRI terrorism, but I guess until Trita says it, you will not let go.  Well, I think even if I found a reference, you will ask for the next level up to call Khamenei a Mo..F.. 

Let's say that NIAC / Trita Parsi have not called IRI "names", but now I challenge you to show me an organization which has accomplished more for the Iranian-Americans, barring AIPAC/neocon combo and the fact that you may not care since you reside in Canada, eyyyy. 

For example, I listed some accomplishments in //iranian.com/main/blog/mm/sorry-mind-if-i-mop-while-you-mope or more recently, when the question of sanctions was on the table, the matter was discussed at NIAC and 3 recommendations were forwarded to Pres. Obama who took all 3 (my comments in caps):

----------------

NIAC recommendations to S.2799 (PROPOSED CONFERENCE AMENDMENTS TO IRAN ... ):

1) Impose precision sanctions on Iran’s ruling leaders and human rights violators (IMPLEMENTED, 1st 8 PEOPLE, MORE LATER)

2) Penalize companies that aid the Iranian government’s repressive activities  (IMPLEMENTED, BUT IRAN AIR GOT CAUGHT HERE TOO)

3) Ease restrictions on humanitarian assistance, people-to-people exchanges, civilian aircraft parts, and vital Internet software  (PARTLY IMPLEMENTED)

----------------

Please note: Let's see REAL measureable accomplishments by another Iranian-American group. i.e., rhetoric, speeches and long essays on IC do not count.   And, I guess I know how you feel about emails!  Thanks.

....

Do you want to help promote Iranian-American participation at all levels of American civic life?

Are you interested in getting involved but not sure how? Then become a NIAC volunteer today!

NIAC enlists motivated, organized individuals to work alongside us both at the local level and here in Washington, DC!

Volunteers perform a variety of tasks – from logistical support to translations, from hosting events to staffing conferences on Capitol Hill.

Currently, our greatest need is for volunteers who can write articles for NIAC and those who can serve as Persian-English translators.

//www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Action_volunteer

VPK etc all

I think it is hard to believe any country are 'friends'. This a myth. Every country's relstionship between one another is motivated by their own national interest which is competetive and cut-throat. To talk aboit 'friends' as if we were in kindergarten is slightly naive,. The best Iran can hope for is to be at peace with its neighbours. Israel did business with Shah and later Khomeini and vice versa. Similarly, the Shah deemed it to be in Iran's national interest to maintain cordial relations with Israel but avoided giving her full support and establish full.diplomatic relations with her so as not to antagonise the Arabs such as Sadat in Egypt who proved to be a valuable asset. This is they way all operate regardless of what is said by leaders in public. Arafat was one of the first leaders to visit Khomeini and supported the revolution and hated the Shah.
Ewqually naive is the fact that to implement regime change or to change the conduct of rogue states will rewuire countries to do underhand deals with the very enemy you hate. Do you believe that despite the War on Terror Bush and Blair were not secretly negotiating eith the Taliban or that the USA is not speaking to North Korea or the Islamic Republic as we speak? Given that Israel cannot engage in a conventional war with Iran is it any wonder that they support the MEK whe there is no shadow of a doubt that it is supporting terror around all of its borders. Again, you are all hoping for the regimr to be cast aside in an impossible way by givimg it 'time'. It won't happen not in my lifetime and not even in our childrens. You have every right to be skeptical of the MEK but then again you are not providing a realistic alternative. This is not how real politics works.
The author of this article is Trita Parsi. The MEK is a terrorist but how can you suggest that people ignore him, his statements and blatant support of the Islamic Republic. If Robert Mugabe were to write about human rights violations in the Islamic Republic I would also attack him.
To suddenly jump in and support NIAC out of spite against AIPAC and the MEK you are jumpimg from one extreme to another and helping an organisation which wants to prolong the life of this corrupt Islamic Republic. How does that help Iran any more than supporting the MEK?
You have to look at the root causes of this problem and if you ippose the MEK then pripose another solution. I agree mabe Bush should have conducted airstrikes instead of being in the position we are now. That would have been a lesser of two evils but it is a solution. You must do something.

Soosan Khanoom

Again I agree with you. This is not about Parsi or NIAC; it is about MEK or MKO or whatever they are. Many people do not like Parsi or NIAC. I am not a big fan of him either. But he is right on this issue.

We need to go beyond petty hatred and read the content. Too bad so many people just see "NIAC" and have a "Knee Jerk Reaction". So they automatically side with MEK. Even though MEK is a million times worse than NAIC.

But they are to stick to their egos. If NIAC says it then it must be bad! I agree with you. If they like MEK so much they should move to Camp Ashraf. What are they waiting for? I am sure AIPAC will take good care of them and give Israeli citizenship.

Shazde jaan

Shazde jaan,

You are most welcomed my friend.

Best,

Masoud

Why chicken crossed the road?!

       Is Pluto a planet? Was Abraham Lincoln Gay? Is Elvis still alive?! :-)

       These are all good questions but has no relevance to the discussion and pure facts of Dr. Parsi blog that MEK is & was a terrorist organization and hated by Iranian people!

      They sell anything and anyone to get "ahead"! They are selling secrets of the country as we speak and are proud of it! How shameless?! They have been in bed with just about anyone, Marxists, imperialists, saddamists, Zionists, even at one point mullas!

     To make this a discussion about NIAC that frankly no one in Iran even has heard of is just an ugly tactic to divert attention from the shameful business of defending the indefensible Rajavi cult!

      Need I say more?!

مسعود خان: دستت درد نکنه!

So, it's all about money money money???

I hated these parts the most:

"This memo presents a preliminary strategy towards the creation of an Iranian-American lobby.

... a strategic partnership with the National Iranian American Council, initial focus on non-controversial issues such as visas and discrimination ... with a strategic interest in Iran for financial support. ... with Trita Parsi as the proposed Executive Director of the organization.

While leaving the educational work to NIAC, the proposed lobby group should focus exclusively on lobbying activities on the Hill.

Furthermore, it would be a wise strategy to mainly target Iranian-American businessmen for financial support.

Although the mission of the proposed lobby should be to improve relations between the US and Iran and open up opportunities for trade, the initial targets should be less controversial issues such as visas and racial profiling/discrimination."

VPK jaan: we may not see every thing eye to eye

But hardly any one agrees 100% with each other.

However, I admire your integrity, consistent civility in conversation and your love for your mother land.

'Vahdat' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

To you egomaniac commentators

Stop fighting with the " TRUTH " just because you do not like Parsi to begin with .... This is a case about MEK not Parsi ..... some of you are just so self centered and keep mentioning things that is not related to the topic of this blog ..... get your ego somewhere else .. it does not belong here and on this topic ..... and if you are a MEK fan don't waste your time with us .... just move to camp Ashraf but first make sure to mail your support letter to your Neocon of choice assuring them of your votes .... 

Good luck ...

Shazde jaan

Shazde jaan,

Here is the whole thing:

//www.iranian-americans.com/docs/Part2/TowardstheCreation.pdf

Vildemose dear: please provide reference for this TP quote:

"Although the mission of the proposed lobby should be to improve relations between the US and Iran and open up opportunities for trade, the initial targets should be less controversial issues such as visas and racial profiling/discrimination. Since the lobby will be spared from creating a grassroots network of its own, the initial focus on non-controversial issues will only serve to establish credibility within the community, and not massive support (which would necessitate the complete avoidance of issues such as US-Iran relations).

Furthermore, it would be a wise strategy to mainly target Iranian-American businessmen for financial support. This group has both a higher propensity to support the lobby’s mission and it is also in a better position to underwrite the expenses of the lobby. Nonetheless, despite its predominantly business oriented constituency, it is essential that the lobby creates a "human face" for its aims and goals. "

‌ام ‌ام جان: دستت درد نکنه - خودت که جواب خودت رو دادی!

"NIAC's invited speakers said the below quotes, and not NIAC!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Mola

I have often disagreed with you. But in this instance you are right. I hoped that Israel would be smart enough to realize friendship with Iran is good. Now I realize they do not want friendship they want mastery.

The AIPAC thinks by pushing MKO down our throat they will become our masters. Koor khoondand. They just managed to alienate people like me. I was wrong Israel is no friend of us. Nor are they going to be any time soon. They helped push Shah out of office because he was making Iran powerful. Then helped keep IRI in power to weaken Iran. Now they want to push Rajavi on us. F*** Israel and AIPAC; I am going to donate to NIAC. It is tax deductible. It means less of my money goes to Israel and more to NIAC. Good! The less I pay for that sorry excuse of a nation the better.

Alidad

Well of course they love America. Who do you think is funding 90 % of them in the world?

Aryo

Thanks for the insults. You sound a *lot* like MK! Same accusations; same long winded posts and same claims. I am not going to bother to even respond to much. Other than IRA never betrayed Ireland while MKO did betray Iran. IRA was fighting a British occupation while MKO was helping Saddam occupy Iran.

The MKO was attacking Iran long before IRI. They attacked when Shah was in power. They only will attack anyone not a part of them. If anyone wants to "come for them" it is fine with me. Good! 

Now I am sure anyone could see this but you are deliberately trying to cover up for MKO. Go ahead. I am not wasting time with MK or his clones.

Terrorists must love America

The presence and activities of the Mojahedin Khalq in Washington DC are testimony to the ignorance of the American establishment and idiocy of Americans in general.

Dear Anahid: Thanks for making that observation

It seems often times, some of us resort to exaggeration or bending history in in order to make our point. The fact of the matter is, the less accurate one is in our history and the events that took place, the less credible the person becomes.

'Vahdat' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad

Dear Areyo barzan: I agree with you completely

If we want ever to get to where we say we want to get, that is a democratic and free minded system, we MUST allow for a free and open participation in all political activities without any fear of persecution.

That is however, if the political parties have proven/shown reasonably that they are transparent and their participation is in a civil and peaceful manners.

Much like the US refusing to engage in a talk with AlQada leadership and those who have blood of US nationals, some of us believe MKO leadership has not changed its ideology. That is using dictatorial and tyranny as a path to govern AND repent a treacherous path towards Iran and Iranians.

There is a unanimously sympathy for MKO members and that they should be freed from their camp, some may call it prison, and reintegrated in the society. Their participation in a political discussion and activism in a civil and peaceful manner must be guaranteed then.

But one can hardly make such case for the MKO leadership as then we must also provide the same avenue for the IRI leadership, those who continue to rape and murder in Iran prison, Sepah leadership and Khamenie himself.

One can see easily that such path will not result in any civil discussion or provide a path forward.  In fact perhaps the best recipe for division and infighting (if we don't have enough of it already)

'Vahdat' is the main key to victory 

Cheers 

Mehrdad

deleted by Vildemose

deleted by Vildemose

روزبه خان،

روزبه خان، ایشون در حقیقت شتر مرغ تشریف دارند. نه بار بر پشتشان میگذراند و نه تخم میگذراند.  و جالب است که این پشتیبانان "سنگ پای قزوین" طوطی‌وارانه از "کتاب واقع" (fact book) نیاکان، مانند یهودیان در برابر دیوار قدیم اورشلیم، ندبه میکنند.