During his
European Book Tour ("L'Heure Du Choix"), Iran's former Crown Prince warns the US
and Israel against any military option towards his country regardless of the
outcome of Iran's Presidential elections (*)Intro & Translation by Darius KADIVAR
By
Claude ASKOLOVITCH ( For The Journal du Dimanche), Intro &
Translation by Darius KADIVAR
Intro By Darius KADIVAR:
As the upcoming presidential elections in Iran raise questions to all
political observers and participants on the options left for Iran in terms of
domestic and foreign policy in order to improve its international image and gain
internal support in prolonging its existence as a ruling Theocracy, it may be of
interest to take a look at what the former Crown Prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi,
has to say in this regard. Indeed regardless of whether one is a supporter or
not of the Monarchy or if one shares or not his political vision for Iran's
future, one cannot deny the fact that the Iranian Prince continues to play a
significant role as an outspoken opposition leader to the clerical regime in
Tehran. In addition the, former Crown Prince has remained in the public eye,
ever since his birth to popular enthusiasm on the 31st of October
1960 in a public hospital in the Southern part of Iran's capital, Tehran. A
symbolic gesture at a time when the Royal couple wished to see their first child
be born amongst their less privileged subjects and modest inhabitants of the
Royal capital rather than in a private clinic in the northern part of the city.
For people of my generation at least, it is nearly hard to believe that
time has past so fast. This familiar face, has more or less consciously belonged
to our collective memory for more than 5 decades now. Indeed the little boy
whose photo illustrated our Persian School Textbooks during our childhood and
teenage years and whose followers affectionately call the "Young Shah" (ever
since he took oath in exile as "Roi de Jure" in Cairo three decades ago shortly
after his father's death: See Videos Part I , Part II) is a man who has reached the
mature age of 49 (actually one year older than the newly elected American
President Barack Hussein Obama). Happily married to a beautiful wife who has
given him three beautiful daughters, the former Crown
Prince of our ancient land could have easily led an anonymous yet very
comfortable life away from the troubles and headaches of a political destiny
which was thrust upon him by birth and not by choice. Instead he has decided, in
a bid for Democracy and Human Rights, the difficult task of trying to rally his
compatriots towards a common goal: Regime Change through Civil
Disobedience. Something for which he has been campaigning for more than
three decades but which the European Press seems to echo more adamantly in
recent months due to the former Crown Prince's marathon tour to promote his new
book written with the help of French journalist Michel Taubmann titled in
French "L'Iran: L'Heure Du Choix" aka
Iran:The Hour of Choice.
TOP: 31st of October
1960,Iran has a New Crown
Prince. Born to the Shah of Iran and his newly wed wife Farah Diba.
BOTTOM: Prince's 17th
birthday celebrated at Niavaran Palace with Googoosh singing for guests.
The familiar face to my generation may appear an enigmatic figure back
home. The fall of the Pahlavi dynasty by the fundamentalist revolution that
ousted his father from the Peacock Throne put an end to 25 centuries of the
Royal Institution in Iran, once known as Persia. Many younger
compatriots discovered his very existence only after seeing him on American and
International Medias shortly following the aftermath of Sept 11th or
through the publication of his first book: Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iranin which he developed and defended his
political vision. Yet he has been present in the Political Arena for more then
30 years now. The latter book which was the fruit of nearly 20 years of
reflection on his role and responsibilities as a political figure in exile had
the credit of outlining his political agenda in full transparency: That of
seeing his people come to the Polls of an Internationally supervised and
democratically organized Referendum in order to choose the Democratic and
Secular System of government of their choice. However to some degree this first
book failed to entirely satisfy the readers curiosity in terms of more personal
and legitimate questions in regard not only to his own life, beliefs and
upbringing but also in regard to his genuine feelings about his father's reign
and responsibilities in his own downfall. The task of being one's personal judge
or inquisitor is not an easy one for anybody and not even an autobiography can
truly allow an objective look at oneself nor allow the necessary distance to
allow unbiased judgments or draw accurate conclusions about one's persona. It is
all the more difficult to be held accountable for one's own father's mistakes or
even crimes (if any) when one has had no personal direct responsibility in their
outcome other than being related to the incriminated person who has or may have
committed them. Mohamed Reza Pahlavi was a Shah (King) to many whom some
considered as a visionary and patriot, others as a ruthless tyrant; but to Reza
Pahlavi he was first and foremost a Father and loving husband to his mother the Shahbanou. Although a Larger than Life Father Figure to many, Mohamed
Reza Shah's work and occupation left little time for intimacy and therefore far
reaching influence on his son's intellectual upbringing. This seems to have been
an asset to Reza Pahlavi's independent education which to a great degree helped
him develop his own personality, mindset and interests as well as cultivate his
relationship with his own people thanks to not only numerous official trips as a
youth in his country but also unofficial encounters with his people that allowed
him to understand the soul of a nation. The Revolution in itself was probably
another of the greatest lessons in his life as well as in that of many people of
his generation, in that nothing is entirely eternal nor should be taken for
granted. That even the Throne of the Strongest Kingdom in the Middle East which
he were to inherit on his majority could fall apart like a sand castle and in
the most unpredictable way.
A much more personal insight into Reza Pahlavi's psychology, life and thoughts
was therefore necessary in order to understand not only the man but also what
motivates him in pursuing a struggle whose outcome remains uncertain. This is
what makes the former Crown Prince's new Book an
interesting read on many levels. It is to Reza Pahlavi's credit to have accepted
to boldly and honestly respond to the most difficult and controversial questions
regarding not only his father's authoritative reign but also the philosophical
ideas, constitutional shortcomings, moral dilemmas as well as the political
behavior that sustained his father and grandfather in power. The task of freely
and coherently asking the tough but necessary questions to a Man who aspires to
leading his compatriots towards a better future and in a competitive and often
ruthless political arena in a way that would be both intellectually challenging
and without compromise befell on an independent journalist Michel Taubmann.
Someone whose political views were not only diametrically opposed to those of
the Iranian Prince's father, but who could also be emotionally detached (due to
his non Iranian roots) from any sentimental approach to the way the Prince may
be perceived by his compatriots whether in his favor or against him. Thus
Taubmann was in a position to push the Prince into facing some of the most
darkest and painful corners of his memory both as heir to a dying king but also
as an Iranian citizen whose eventual future role in his country's future will
inevitably be confronted to very high expectations as well as demands of a
people deprived from some of the most basic rights to which many of his exiled
compatriots living in truly democratic countries have benefited from and
experienced in the past 30 years ...
TOP AND BOTTOM:October 31st, 1980,
A few Months after his father's death, an emotional but determined Reza Pahlavi
holds a Press conference in Cairo where he assumes the Responsibilities as "Roi
de Jure" aka "King by Oath" upon his 20st birthday.
Given this reality, what are Reza Pahlavi's real chances in achieving his
claim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and of serving as he say's as a
"Catalyst" for Regime Change (without any foreign military intervention
which he clearly opposes) knowing the controversial historical and political
legacy of his own father's reign ? Only time and future events in our country
can truly answer this question.
What is certain however is that regardless of the political evolutions or
transformations that will shape our country in the coming decades the poor
record of the Islamic Revolution in delivering much of its widely acclaimed
promises in terms of social justice, economic prosperity for all, and more
importantly democracy and human rights, have failed dramatically in nearly every
area. Whether or not one agrees with this observation, a generation later, one
cannot deny that Iranians are entitled to draw an unbiased assessment on the
"pros" and "cons of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 which overthrew the Monarchy
in Iran. An assessment that beyond political convictions will nevertheless lead
to comparisons between the current political establishment (that is a Theocratic
Republic which is barely three decades old) and the Royal institution that
preceded it. One which had endured under different dynasties for more than 25
centuries and which greatly shaped our nation's political and cultural identity
for better and for worse. This dichotomy between the Monarchy and the Republic
(in Iran's case this so called Republic seems to more resemble some kind of
Absolute Turbaned Dynasty rather than the Secular Republic to
which most modern day democracies refer to) in our national psyche is not unique
to Iranians. All nations living under a given political system of government be
them Secular Republics (democratic or dictatorial) or Monarchies (absolute or
constitutional) have had at some point to look back on the major historical
events that have shaped them in order to draw conclusions in favor of
maintaining or not their current system of government. Particularly if they have
failed to live up to those high democratic standards and expectations of fair
justice. However when the system of government in question was established on
grounds of delivering democracy in the true sense of the word but fails to do so
after one or several generations, one can question its legitimacy however
popular at its inception. The Transition towards democracy has not always
been easy. In the case of France, the Republic as we see it today was
achieved after nearly 300 years of an evolutionary process ever since the
French Revolution of 1789. In Great Britain, democracy was achieved
following an entirely different path than in France by maintaining the Royal
Institution but by enforcing the Parliament's role after major political
upheavals no difference than in France where the King was beheaded and a
Theocratic Republic ruled the country under Cromwell for several decades before
seeing the restoration on the Throne of the former Monarch's son. One can
therefore see that the transition from a dictatorial (or totalitarian rule)
towards that of a genuine democracy has not followed a similar pathin
all countries that could serve as an undisputable blueprint in achieving
this transition. Nations Are Different and Behave differently given
their own political experience and the people's relationship to power. In some
cases it has alas been through bloodsheds, in others fortunately more
peacefully, earning them the name of "Velvet Revolutions". Having lived under both systems
that is equally a Monarchy or a Republic but given that in both
cases the democratic practice in itself was alas short lived, Iranians will
naturally have to come to terms with their own history, contradictions as well
as the realities of their political evolution in the years to come. That is
inevitable in order to reach what they at large aspire to and regardless of
their ideological preferences and that is a democratic system of government of
their choice.
An Iranian Solidarnosc: Simply a Utopia ? ... TOP and BOTTOM:A peaceful Transition Towards Democracy in Iran would
require a cooperation between ALL Iranians be them known or unknown. Prominent
members of Iran's Civil Society or in the Diaspora regardless of professional or
social backgrounds, or political preferences could each contribute in their own
right in a constructive dialogue to further unity towards a common cause for
country:
Iran's political landscape both
inside and outside is divided on how to reach this goal.
They do not necessarily have the same approach nor offer the same solutions to
this problem. In this context Reza Pahlavi is not the only person to suggest an
alternative to the current clerical regime. In the current political juncture he
is not leading a particularly homogenous opposition neither which could
represent a serious challenge to the regime in Iran.
Strength and Weakness' of the Opposition:
However what at first glance may appear as a disadvantage, is probably
Reza Pahlavi's greatest asset: his ability to stand above all political
sensitivities and parties so to speak.
Paradoxically I believe that this capacity is dictated less by his political
astuteness than by the fact that he has inherited a historical and political
legacy which puts him in a unique position in contrast to all other so-called
political leaders or aspiring leaders today.
See Videos: Reza Pahlavi gathers
14000 exiled Supporters at the
L.A Sports Arena in the Mid 1990's. Such Popular gatherings have been rare
since.
Given this fact, the Iranian opposition remains still very much divided
between different political sensitivities even if the Gap between the different
Secular Democrats be them Constitutionalists and Republican (Jomhurykhah) seems
to reduce and that they largely share common grounds in terms of democratic
ideals despite differences in shape and form of their ideal government of
choice.
And Yet it still appears difficult to dissociate Reza Pahlavi from his
Royal heritage. Some Republicans claim that he should give up his Royal titles
and run as President in a Democratic Republic, others his first loyal and oldest
supporters naturally will never concede on this Royal prerogative. Yet the
prospect of a Referendum under international supervision is what maintains them
together in a common bond of solidarity in their support for the Former Crown
Prince and would be (or not) future King.
That said, regardless of a history's nation one can observe that what
often draws critics against the Monarchy as an "Institution" is its "absolute"
and "elitist" nature. It would be legitimate to question why a nation may decide
to put its future In the hands of one man or women rather than in that of an
elected leader so to speak ? This would seem logical were we indeed faced with
such a dilemma for instance if a coronation were to take place today or as in
the past under an Absolute Monarchy where the King would Crown Himself ( as Reza
Pahlavi's father did during his reign). However what makes this question
irrelevant today are two major reason's:
1)At this stage the former Crown
Prince is Neither Running for King Nor For President.
2)Were the people call for a
Restoration, he clearly states that he would accept it only as Constitutional
King like in Spain or Great Britain where the King or Queen Reigns but Does Not
Rule.
Rather than claiming any political responsibility or particular
leadership he has been simply suggesting to serve as a "Catalyst" for Regime
Change towards a democratic government of the people's choice were this to take
place at some stage in the political landscape of our homeland.
Naturally one is free to believe or not in his sincerity particularly if
one is a staunch Republican ( Jomhury Khah) and opposes the very notion of
seeing a former Crown Prince take such a leading political role particularly if
they deem that his father was a despot (a common yet understandable obsession
amongst us Iranians I'm afraid, is to think, that "despotism", is genetically
inherited. If this is quite recurrent in Shakespeare's
plays a closer look at British History ( Elizabeth 1st daughter of
King Henry VIII, Charles 1st son of Charles 1st) in
particular and European History (King Juan Carlos of Spain descendent of the
deposed Bourbon French Kings, as well as nearly all West European Constitutional
monarchs who descend from absolute monarchs) in general seems to suggest the
opposite, so why should Iran's Royal legacies be an exception to the rule (if
"rule" there is) ?). Yet if historians generally agree that the
former Shah's reign became dictatorial after the events of 1953 they are more
divided as to reasons which led to him choosing an absolute rule over a
ceremonial role (which he did have for at least 12 years before the Coup) as in
all European constitutional monarchies today.
Indeed there are those who criticize Reza Pahlavi's father for conducting
a "Coup" against an elected Prime Minister who was Mossadegh ( Read All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of
Middle East Terrorby Stephen Kinzer)
claiming that we were actually living in a democratic society so to speak,
others who consider it as rather a "Counter coup" by a "named" Prime Minister
(who overestimated his constitutional rights) against his rightful King (The
Life and Times of the Shahby Gholam Reza Afkhami, The Unknown Life of the Shah
by Amir Taheri).
Which historical interpretation is True?
I leave that judgment to the readers who can draw their own conclusions based on
their own knowledge and convictions or by reading some of the books I recommend
in the authors notes below which present both opposite views each in
their own right.
However the fact remains that historians continue to debate about the
Pahlavi era and do take interest in the past in order to understand our current
political and intellectual challenges in finding solutions to the ills that
continue to inflict our country. Why for instance was a Popular Revolution that
was aimed at establishing a Just and fair society and put an end to despotism
and Human Rights abuses turned its back on these genuine and noble aspirations
by establishing a far more repressive regime than its predecessor in which not
only acquired social rights for men and women were set back to at least 50 to 60
years and where the Brutal Imperial Secret Police, the SAVAK was Replaced by the
SAVAMA/VEVAK ( better known as Vezarat-e Ettela'at va Amniat-e Keshvar)
?
Also it seems that to this day when it comes to denouncing or justifying the
current regime in Iran, the former Pahlavi dynasty's legacy (for good or bad) as
well as the utility or not of the Monarchy as an institution, continue to be
debated in nearly all political conversations today and in all circles
(including by the current candidates with their supporters), proving if needed
that the least one can do in order to shape an opinion or definitive judgment
about these issues, is to take an interest in the ideas presented by the former
Crown Prince be it by intellectual curiosity. This could also help
confront/compare his ideas/propositions to those made by members of Iran's civil
society who may either share his views (without necessarily being monarchists
for that matter) and who could find common ground on certain issues of concern
to all. Particularly in regard to the best ways of achieving democracy in
Iran without resorting to violence but rather through civil
disobedience.
Such debates over the betrayal or not of the revolutionaries (
particularly those who were secularists) by the clerics or the High jacking of
the Revolution itself by radical fundamentalists suggests that one cannot simply
dismiss interest in the Pahlavi era and its downfall nor discourage debate over
the eventual restoration of the Monarchy (however in its Constitutional Form) as an
Institution given the terrible record of the revolution and the successive
governments that have led our country since. Thus debate over the eventual
political role which Reza Pahlavi could play today and maybe in Iran tomorrow
should not be reduced to oblivion only because of our individual personal
resentments towards the Monarchy as an Institution nor our collective prejudice
towards the former Royal Family. So it seems to me that the possibility of a
Royal Restoration ( which is not the present priority nor has the former Crown
Prince been calling for at this stage of our collective struggle for democracy)
in its Constitutional Form as Opposed to
an Absolute Form cannot be seen
merely as an unrealistic or an undesirable option for that matter ...
Nevertheless and surprisingly to the disappointment of many die hard monarchists
it should be noticed that rather than calling for a Royal Restoration (which in
itself is not such an unusual concept in an Old Continent like Europe (Spain and
Belgium precisely took this road during the 20th century, Great
Britain went even further than Iran ever did by beheaded its absolute king
Charles 1st , establishing a Religious Theocracy under Cromwell, yet
restored the monarchy once again but this time under Parliamentary Rule) at this
stage of his campaign it seems that the former Crown Prince is actually calling
for the coming to age of an "Iranian Solidarnosc" so to speak. One that
like in Poland would see the emergence of a civil resistance movement
against the dictatorial rule and which could grow independently outside the
current political establishment and thus give birth to its own legitimate
representatives in Iran and who could then voice the genuine demands of the
people while in turn be supported by the international community.
This is where the Iranian Diaspora could play an active role in informing
the medias and influence international public opinion in rallying the cause of
Iranians back home. This was precisely the strategy that was used by
Lech Walesaand the
Polish Solidarnosc movement against
the communist dictatorship of General Jaruzelski back in the 1980's. The Unknown
Unionist's struggle reached the ears of the international community partly
thanks to his connection with an international figure like the then Polish
Pope John Paul II who in turn was
able to put his own public persona to the service of echoing the movements
demands to the outside world. As such John Paul II's role was seen as a
"Catalyst" rather than a leader for change. Could Reza Pahlavi (whose mother
Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi still remains
an extremely popular figure amongst Iranians in general and a fairly appreciate
public personality worldwide) play a similar "Catalyst" role for Iranians at
large but as a "secular" public persona who like the Pope during ¨Poland's
Darkest hours was able to situate himself above the Political turmoils and
internal divisions of Solidarnosc, in order to draw international support for
their struggle against their country's dictatorship? If so, then who in turn
could be the Lech Walesa's of Iran ? Or similarly the Nelson Mandela of
Iran to whom he could bring his support in a near future ?
These are legitimate questions for which I do not claim to
have an answer but they do deserve to be addressed at some point in the future
by all parties or individuals concerned if the prospect of an Iranian
Solidarnosc becomes a reality. Something which in my opinion is not just an
option left to us but an absolute necessity to clarify if we wish to create
an efficient civil rights movement based on a minimum of synergy and
coherence.
After a short summary and Press review of Reza Pahlavi's
latest book and before you read my English translation
of his latest interview in the JDD:Journal Du Dimanche, I chose to
display below some of the speeches, interviews presented by other prominent
members of the Iranian Intellegentsia particularly in the Diaspora which
appear to me as significant and thought provoking and which also seem to
share similar arguments as those developed by the former Crown Prince of Iran in
"L'Iran: L'Heure Du Choix" aka
Iran: The Hour of Choice.
Whatever the outcome in the upcoming elections in Iran, or the future of
Iran on the short or long term these different views deserve attention, all the
more that the ever thriving Iranian intelligentsia, both inside and outside
Iran, belong to all walks of life and age and are each in their own right
striving today to help achieve democracy in Iran by calling for more unity and
mutual understanding between all and often beyond their own political
differences or preferences. All the more that 30 years represents a
generationin a nation's lifetime and that in itself, justifies an
open-minded attitude on behalf of all those who care for their country's future
and tolerant enough to hear what each one has got to say based on their own
experiences ...
"IRAN
HARGUEZ NAKHAHAD MORD" aka "IRAN SHALL NEVER DIE"
And may I Add In the language of the Following French Lumieres Philosophers who
inspired democrats worldwide by shaping the only truly functional World
Democracies today : Montesquieu author of the Les Lettres Persanes aka Persian
Letters, Rousseau the Secular Republican or
Voltaire the Constitutional
Monarchist (and author of Zadig):
VIVE L'IRAN ETERNEL !
Avec
L'ESPOIR NAISSANT DE VOIR ENFIN DANS NOTRE PAYS L'AVENEMENT
De
LA DEMOCRATIE ET LES
DROITS DE L'HOMME !
Darius KADIVAR, Paris FRANCE
Press Review (& Summary)/
French Media Interviews on Reza Pahlavi's New Book:
The Persian Diaspora website Iranian.com's european columnist
Tina Ebrahimi from Netherlands
summarizes the book as follows:
Summary:
"On
February 5th, Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Shah of Iran, presented his
new book of interviews taken by the French journalist Michel Taubmann. The title
'Iran: The Deciding Hour' describes the political position of Iran at the
crossroads.
In order to solve the Iranian crisis, Reza
Pahlavi appeals to the international community and especially to Europe. Between
the option of the never ending negotiations and a military attack he prescribes
a third option, namely the support of the Iranian democratic movement and a
dialogue with the Iranian people.
The son of the late Shah exposes his vision of a different Iran which is
democratic, secular and integrated in the international community. This includes
a project to accomplish a society capable of answering to the aspirations of the
Iranian people, the foundation of a democratic parliamentary regime in which the
constitution is founded on the universal principles of human rights, the
establishment of a nation guaranteeing the liberty of all, a national
reconciliation like the model of South Africa, and finally the separation of
state and religion.
Prince Reza Pahlavi proposes a democratic process that will
lead to a new constitution with which the Iranian people can choose their form
of new regime by referendum (parliamentary monarchy or a parliamentary
republic).
In order to solve the Iranian crisis, Prince Reza Pahlavi
launches an appeal to the international community and especially to Europe.
Between the option of the never ending negotiations of which
only the Islamic Republic profits and a military option, that will only have
dramatic consequences for the region and the world, there is a third option,
less costly and more legitimate: the support of the Iranian democratic forces
and not a dialogue with the mullah regime, but with the Iranian people."
The
Struggle for Democracy in the Eyes of prominent members of Iranian Diaspora:
Video:Abbas
Milani's (author of The Persian Sphinx and of an upcoming book on the Late Shah)
talk will be "Nuke, Kooks and Democracy in Iran: a discussion of Iran's current
political situation, and the prospects of democracy, and a resolution of the
country's nuclear program." (From 2008)
Video :This is a Very Interesting speach by
Dr. Abbas Milani followed by Q&A with the audience on Modernity in Iran and the
challenges of the Iranian Intelligenstia in the 20th century. This speach was
made in 2005 following the publication of Milani's book Lost Wisdom: Rethinking Modernity in Iran.:
Watch Conference Here
Video:
Middle East expert's Abbas Milani and USA Today reporter Barbara Slavin argue on
why U.S. "surgical strikes" are not a practical option for dealing with Iran's
alleged nuclear program. (From 2008).
Video: Charlie Rose
- Azar Nafisi, Vali Nasr, Hooman Majd, Ben Sherwood Video: Azar Nafisi
comments on why "Crisis is Good" and the Importance of the "Poetic Vision of a
Nation" which could also be applied to Iran and its elections. This is part of a
speech centered on her new book "Things I've Been Silent About". The author of
Reading Lolita in Tehran (referring to President Obama's election)
Video:
Former Shah of Iran's Minister of Education and Chair of Pahlavi University and
Prominent Zoroastrian Dr. Farhang Mehr
asks a constitutional question from President Khatami back in the , when will
Islamic Republic stop discriminating against religious minorities like
Zoroastrians? Boston University ( circa 1998)
TOP:
Amir Entezam's Letter Secretary-General of the United
Nations Ban Ki-moon:
Video:
Part of the interview with Iranian reformist MP, Dr. PirMoazen boldly spoke on
banned TV VOA Persian ( deemed by the IRI as Anti Regime and Pro Regime Change
but watched via Satellite paraboles in Iran) about the parliamentary (Majles)
elections of 2008.
Vidoes (Part I,
Part II):
Ayatollah Montazeri (who was ousted by Khamenei and the Guardian Council as
successor to Ayatollah Khomeiny as Velayateh Fagih) speaks on the massacres of
1988.
Video: Mansour Osanloo Bus Union
Organizer, testifies about his torture by the regime agents, when they cut his
tongue and neck to instill fear in others and his supporters.
Interview by Claude ASKOLOVITCH Translation by
Darius KADIVAR ( French Weekly JDD: Journal Du Dimanche)
Reza Pahlavi, the Son
of the Last Shah of Iran, warns Israel and the Western Powers of any temptation
of launching a war against Iran. The Former Crown Prince hopes for a national
upheaval by his compatriots against the mullahs. Opposite the Clerical Regime,
he calls upon the democratic ideals and values of the West in the name of
similar values that he believes have shaped his own ancient land once Known as
Persia. As the campaign for Presidential elections in Iran begin, the "King
without a Crown" speaks to The Journal Du Dimanche (JDD).
Reza
Pahlavi (RP): Nothing. There is nothing to be expected from these elections
which are a farce. To even try and debate about the chances of this or that
candidate in a bid to differentiate them from Ahmadinejad is a trap that the
mullahs wish everyone to fall for. My country is run by a Mafia, and these
elections are simply a show aimed at distracting the international community or
any other reason that can prolong their survival through false promises. These
elections are Not democratic and cannot be taken seriously by any genuine and
well informed democrat. My people already live outside the current system. They
either are in exile, like me outside their homeland, others, the great majority,
are in exile within their own country and have no other choice but to survive
under the current totalitarian conditions imposed on them.
JDD: Yes but they are voting nevertheless ?
RP: Many are forced to vote. Its by Fear that the regime hold on to Power. Many
are arrested, people are tortured or physically and psychologically intimidated,
and even many clerics are threatened (Notes: Ayatollah Boroudjerdi,
Ayatollah Montazeri) or persecuted.
Anyone who expresses anything against the regime is threatened. The Presidential
candidates are filtered (Notes: Of over 400 submitted candidates only 4 were approved by the
guardian council to run for the elections,
Facebook blocked then
reopened under pressure). They are
simply puppets of a system which they want to prolong its survival. If you don't
understand this then you will totally miss the point. The clerical regime has
long lost the Iranian people's heart. Its populist rant or religious slogans,
its extremist behaviour or its military adventurism are no more used merely
towards our people. On the contrary it is trying to target it towards the Muslim
communities worldwide and the so-called "Arab streets'. A Regime that has lost
credibility with its own people is now brandishing the sword of Muslim vengeance
amongst Syrians or Palestinians instead.
JDD:But in the
meantime, don't you think we would see a difference if a more moderate leader
would emerge from these elections rather than a radical minded and anti Western
candidate who wants the Atom Bomb ...
RP: What
difference would that make ?You wanted to believe Khatami but did he
deliver ? Lets be serious what serious reforms did he undertake after 8 years of
Power ? Who followed in Khatami's footsteps ? Ahamdinejad !
This is a
logic that the regime has always followed in order to perpetuate itself to this
day. Compromise with them and you will not only end up in a war but ultimately
help the regime's survival.
JDD: Does that mean we should remain tough with your country ?
RP:
You need to be tough with the regime Not the People. You should first and
foremost give voice to the Iranian people and the civil rights movements that
are struggling on a daily basis, so as to give them hope and courage that they
are being heard and have your support.
In short
as a nation "We Want to be Freed, Not Killed !"
JDD: In
your opinion Obama is not firm enough ?
RP: President Obama was entirely correct to send a Persian New Year Message to
the Iranian People but I regret that he included the Leaders of the Islamic
Republic. It proves that in his view he cannot distinguish the People and the
Regime. That is regretful. For instance he was not forced to hail the regime's
"humanism" when Iranian American Journalist Roxana Saberi was finally liberated.
I am not saying that you should not dialogue with regime - diplomacy has its
priorities- BUT you need to also open the door to a dialogue with the democratic
forces that oppose the current regime .... The West should not renounce on its
founding principles by giving some kind of legitimacy or respectability to this
evil entity called the "Islamic Republic". A Totalitarian regime does not
consider itself as such; yet it cannot remain so forever and that is why we
should encourage its downfall.
JDD: Do you support a military intervention against Iran ?
RP: NEVER
! Again I repeat our goal is to be freed not killed ! If Iran were attacked it
would only strengthen the regime. Needless to say that You would immediately
lose both my support as well as that of my people. When Iran was invaded by
Iraq, I was in Exile. I publicly offered to fight for Iran as a pilot to defend
my country.
JDD: What if Israel Bombed Iran, would you fight against Netanyahu ? (**)
RP: Let me
clearly say this to Mr. Netanyahu and the People of Israel: "You know perfectly
what Iran represented to the Jewish People. It was the Founder of the Persian
Empire, Cyrus the Great, who freed the Jewish people after the conquest of
Babylon and allowed your ancestors to reconstruct their tomb. (Notes:He is Awake: Close Up on Cyrus KAR,Story of Esther and Xerxes).
DON'T BE STUBBORN LADIES: If Indeed Democracy is a Common Cause, then
Nothing should stop meetings between "Jomhury Khahs" (aka Republicans be them
Reformists or supporters of a Secular Republic) and "Constitutional Monarchists"
be them for informal discussions and even debate their differences in an
open-minded and
pragmatic approach towards a common goal : A peaceful transition
towards
a Democratic system of government in Iran.
During
World War II, when the Nazi's took over Europe, Iran accepted to shelter Jewish
families who fled German Occupied Poland ( See The Children of Tehran,
Abdol Hossein Sardari Iranian
Diplomat who became known as the Iranian Schindler).
During WWII we were the Only country in the region to behave like this (The
tragedy that became known as The Holocaust was not yet
known
in all its horror until the
liberation of the Concentration Camps in 1945).
Video: Tribute
to Cyrus the Great at UCLA: fundraising event for
completion of Cyrus the Great a documentary by Cyrus KARwith participantsAbbas Milani, Nazanin Afshin Jam and prominent
members of the Iranian Diaspora
And Now the very people we saved and were friends with throughout our history
wish to Bomb Us ? This is outrageous !
JDD:Yes but If Israel or even the West were threatened by Iran ...
RP: Look, I understand
all these worries. But I am asking you to look at things realistically and from
a political perspective. Go to the depth of the question here: This Regime MUST
Go ! Stop presenting my people and our religion and culture as evil. Iran is Not
this regime. Shi'ism is Not this Regime. Even Islam is Not this Regime ! Iran is
enslaved by a Totalitarian State. This totalitarian system is persecuting my
people and threatening humanity at large. It must be overthrown. A democratic
Iran will be a threat to no one.
J.D.D:
How can we get there ?
RP:
Though Trust ! By trusting the Iranian people at large.
We
will overthrow the regime through a revolution. This change will be the least
violent possible and will emerge through civil disobedience. The sacrifice will
be ours, all we are asking you is your moral support to achieve this. This
regime is less stable than what you think. The economy is bad. The social and
political oppression will sooner or later trigger a popular upheaval. At some
point even the Revolutionary Guards (The Pasdaran) will have to let go. The
regime will then fall just as in most East European Countries after the Cold
War.
Reza Pahlavi a "Catalyst" for Change ? Only Time, his own determination and
Stamina as well as ultimately the People's Choice can answer this question ! ...
(**) Although In France it is more accurately Semi presidential-parliamentary systemwhich has underwent and continues to undego revisions and reforms:
today they live under the 5th Constitution, that gives more power to
the President than the previous constitutional drafts)
Official Website of Reza Pahlavi: www.rezapahlavi.org
Books By Reza Pahlavi:
L'Iran L'Heure Du Choix aka Iran:The Time to Choose, (Latest Book in
French soon to be translated into English) is available on
amazon.fr
