SAFAVI: Third option in Iran

This article is great, I think this is the only way we can take care of the threat by the mullahs and bring peace and democracy to the region. I do not think we can solve any of the Middle East problems unless we change the government of Iran. But it is very important that it will be done by the people of Iran and their largest opposition organization. Without U.S. soldiers being killed and U.S. dollars being spent.

This good article is very realistic; also it is talking about the only effective way of dealing with mullahs. Mullahs have been created serious headaches for people in Iran as well as people of the Middle East and international community. We can see the effectiveness and popularity of Iranian opposition (MEK/PMOI) from mullah’s reaction, every time MEK receives somebody’s support or huge victory, like British court, 3 million Iraqi’s supports or gathering of over 70 thousand Iranians in Paris, we see mullahs getting nervous. More people should join this anti fundamentalist front to stop this threat of the 21st century.

The United States of America should never recognize the terrorist organization of MKO/PMOI. As the saying goes " The apple does not fall far from the tree". The PMOI/MKO is a by-product of the same dogmatic Islamic-fascist ideology that give birth to the Islamic republic of Iran. It is all very obvious to the untrained eye that their flagship designation the "people's Mujahadeen" stands as a sordid mix of people's Communist ideology and Islamic fascist theocracy. The antithesis of everything that the free world stands for. This terrorist organization also has the notorious reputation of colluding with the Iraqi army under the now debunked leadership of the dictator Saddam Hussain in attaking and killing their own kind during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980's. There is evidence that the MKO has also been involved with the killing of kurds and engaged in operation whereby chemical and biological weapons have been used against Iranian troops and kurds in Iraq. An act that in all historic and military designations would be proclaimed as an act of treason of monumental proportion to the Iranian people. lets not forget the very unholy birth of this movement through acts of terrorism that was instrumental to the coming into power of the godfather of all terrorists mullah ayatolah Khomeini the founder of the IRI in the early stages of the so called "revolution". It is ironic that this organization uses such terms as President-Elect, and Parliamentarian in an attempt to fool the free democratic world into giving them recognition, money and ressources to continue on their campaign of vengence and self-destruction. There is no evidence that the Iranian people have ever elected or designated this old terrorist organization in any democratic manner as their elect, spokespeople or advocate. Far from being an elect and ombudsman of the Iranian people, they are widely distrusted and scorned upon both within and outside Iran for having lots of innocent blood on their hand. The USA will not and must not fall for this folly. The people of Iran will in due time find their own solution to their internal affairs.

Mek,pmoi,pol pots of Iran,mko... is the same terrorist group which has sofar assassinated over 16000 innocnt people in Iran and a larger number in Iraq . how come you came t the conclusion that they are a good option for a regime change while Iranians disgust them and while they don't have any popularity in Iran. They killed Americaan officers and rockwell international employees in Iran . They assisted former Iraqi dictator Sadam Hussein In the massacre of Kurds and mass killings of Shiites. They even fought their own people in Saddam's imposed war against Iran. They have no mercy . They even sacrifice their own members for their wicked ambitions. their best lobbyist in the U.S, for example,Professor Raymond Tanter has brutally devorcd his wife by the help of MEk.The members in this cult headquartered in Iraq are subject to severe conditions and are deprived from very primitive human rights. The dissidents are tortured and every one in the cult in brainwashed. MEK is for good reason in FTOs list.

The false choices, 'Iran with a bomb' or 'bomb Iran', offered in this article thrive on the fear and ignorance that grips this country. Ahmad Chalabi, whoops I mean Ali Safavi would not be given time of day, if it were not for the deficit in knowledge and self-confidence that the neocons have inflicted on this country. For a reality check on Iran, see http://www.bibijon.org/iranimage/

There is only one plausible way to bring about democracy in Iran and peace and stability to the region: West should politically and morally support the Iranian people to overthrow the brutal religious fascism in Iran and to replace it with a democratic government. War is the absolute worst option. Appeasement is more worse than a war (as it will inevitably lead to a greater war in the future). How can the West support the Iranian people? Recognize their resistance and their inspiration for a free Iran. That resistance and inspiration is reflected in the Mojahedin as the pivotal force within the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The presence of more than 70,000 people in the most recent gathering of the Mojahedin in France attests to this undeniable fact. The support by 1000's of parliamentarian from around the world further attest to this fact. The US government should follow the lead and remove the Mojahedin from its FTO list. FTO is rightfully a list for Hezbollah, the Iranian regime's revolutionary guards, and alike.

Finally!, Its way over due to start talking bold like this and provide an option that none of the invoved parties has so far considered. it has always been either "appeasment" or "War"! We, Iranians don't want another war as we have been at war with this brutal regime for the past 30 years! we have been taken hostage by these Mullahs for the past 30 years and its now time for the people of the region if we really don;t act quickly! We need to face this regime and free our people from the evil claws of this regime. In my opinion, as someone who has spent his last 30 years fighting for democracy for his people, the so "Third Option" is a blessing not only for the people of Iran but for the people of region and worl at large. I look forward to seeing more articles like this one in Washington times. Regards, Masood

"WASHINGTON, May 19 (IPS) - An Iranian rebel group that is aggressively campaigning for Washington's support as part of a ''regime change'' strategy in its homeland has committed serious abuses including torture and prolonged isolation, against dissident members, according to a leading human rights watchdog. " http://ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=28738

Taming of the mullahs in Tehran by endless negotiation i.e. "carrots" is a pipe dream! "War" will benefit the mullahs and create a bigger problem. The only sensible and effective option is; a democratic change in Iran , by Iranian themselves without outside world interference. For effecting change, you need organization, leadership and plans in order to bring the masses to the streets and cause the change. MEK/PMOI the most organized and largest opposition group to the mullahs and blacklisting them only helps the mullahs! Let's not forget that one day, Nelson Mandela and ANC were considered "terrorists"!

Well, why don't you also bring the reaction of the world media and politians to that false accusation? didn't the human rights watchdog accepted their mistake!? there are many documents that reflect their regret in publishing such a unspeakable report. this is old news! sorry! Masood

I whole heartedly support the position of Mr. Safavi. The civilized world must take a firm stand against the Iranian regime. US cannot afford to be engaged in another war. Iranian regime is very unpopular and vulnerable. Supporting the opposition to this regime is the best possible policy to deal with the ayatollahs in Iran.

This is a great article,i would like to thank Mr. Safavi for his vision. Today, Iranians are blessed with an organized resistance against the religious tyranny. The democratic Iranian opposition movement today is led by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its largest member, the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Though the target of Iranian regime's executions, torture and an elaborate misinformation campaign, the opposition, indeed, triumphed. This was only possible with popular legitimacy.Last month more than 70,000 Iranians along with 1000 parlimantaries from all over the World gathered in Paris to support Iranian main democratic opposition .Washington, however, in its misguided attempt to change Iran's behavior, branded the MEK and NCRI as terrorist organizations in 1997 and 2003, respectively, thus significantly handicapping the Tehran regime's greatest enemy.Late last month, the British Court of Appeal upheld a ruling by the Proscribed Terrorist Organizations Appeal Commission and ordered the U.K. government to remove the MEK from its terror list. The judgment of the highest court in Britain should prompt a U.S. reassessment of these freedom fighters.About two years ago, I heard a speech on Iran policy by Bruce McColm, a notable human-rights activist and former executive director of the Freedom House. He said, "The United States must emphasize again and again that there will be no 'Made-In-USA' political solution to the Iranian issue. We have gone down that path many times in the past and should humbly recognize we thwarted the Iranian peoples' desire for democracy, freedom and constitutional government." We Iranians couldn't agree more.A major prerequisite for peace is doing what is morally right. Iran's leaders criminalize everyday life, spread terror inside and outside Iran and create conflict in order to survive. As a condition of peace, we must do what is right and support Iranians who seek to overthrow this despotic government.

I completely support Mr. Safavi's point of view and particularly laud Mrs. Rajavi's comments pointed out in this article that: "The West is dangerously deceiving itself by assuming that its sole options in dealing with the mullahs are either appeasement or war. There is a third viable option, which is embodied by the Iranian people and their organized opposition to the terrorist regime ruling Iran." Supporters of MEK (PMOI) and NCRI held a rally in suburbs of Paris last month that showed how popular. 70,000 Iranians attended this rally and asked for removal of PMOI (MEK) from EU and US terror lista, pointing out that the listing was for the sole reason of appeasing the Ayatollahs. This policy of Appeasement has not only made people of Iran suffer under the rule of a barbaric and backward thinking government, but it has allowed the Ayatollahs to export their Islamic Fundamentalism all over the Middle East, and beyond. Our men and women serving in the US Army are getting killed by bombs and rockets sent into Iraq by the Tehran regime. As and Iranian-American, I not only have relatives who have been executed by the Ayatollahs, I now also neighbors who have lost sons and daughters in Iraq, murdered by road side bombs sent into Iraq by the same Ayatollahs. The Tehran regime will not change with talk and incentive packages. People of Iran are fed up with this regime and this regime must be toppled in its entirety. War, or any other foreign military action will not lead to a regime change in Iran. Removing the road blocks set in front of Iranian Resistance Movement (PMOI and NCRI) will lead to a democratic regime change in Iran. Western contraries, particularly the United States realize this fact and have prevented a regime change in Iran by enlisting PMOI and NCRI on their bogus list of terrorist organizations. The listing of PMOI in UK was revoked by the order of the Law in that country. I hope US Department of State have learned its lesson form UK case and will remove PMOI and NCRI from the FTO list immediately. Best Regards, -Hamid

Being black listed by the State Department, disarmed, and confined to a military camp in Iraq, the Iranian Mojahedin (PMOI/ MEK) were able to get the support of 3 million Iraqi Shias and to turn them against mullah’s meddling in Iraq. These are the same Iraqi Shias that the Iranian regime was counting on their support to expand its influence in Iraq. You can imagine the potential of this organization in mobilizing the masses in Iran once it’s taken off the State Department’s black list and its hands are untied. The Iranian regime is well aware of this and that is why it has been conducting a fierce demonizing campaign against Mojahedin for three decades. It is time for our policy makers to realize this fact and act on it before it is too late. Why would we deprive ourselves from the most effective force, the Iranian people, in stopping the mullahs and bringing peace and stability to the region?

Dr. Akbar Etemad, who first launched Iran's nuclear technology program under the old regime in 1974 today urges the regime that stripped him of his job to reject any international demand that it halt uranium enrichment. Here are a few of his quotations: 1- “Iran already stopped nuclear enrichment at the behest of Europe for more than a year. And what happened? Nothing!” 2- “The Americans, when they need the NPT, they talk about it; when they don't need it, they throw it away. You don't do that with an international treaty.” 3- “With the Shah, we also came to the conclusion that Iran was in great need of nuclear energy because our population was steadily growing and our gas and oil will run out. That's why even though I was in the old regime; I should be fair to the new regime because they are following the same line. To speak frankly, with its bellicose behavior the West is pushing Iran towards nuclear weapons, even if they don't want them now.” 4- “The Europeans say stop enrichment and we'll talk, but the Iranians already did that and nothing happened!” 5- “At the time of the Shah, we signed contracts with both France and Germany and even then they didn't deliver. If I were in the current regime, I wouldn't trust the West. They don't even give Iran civilian airplane parts, which is costing hundreds of lives; why should they believe that they will give them enriched uranium?” Dorood Bar In Mard va Marg Bar Nokaran va Khaenin!