Posted on 09/25/2010 3:47:07 PM PDT by nuconvert
When he turned 21, Reza Cyrus Pahlavi publicly declared himself Shahanshah (King of Kings). He became Reza Pahlavi II and formally staked his claim to the Peacock Throne, after the death of his father, the exiled Shah of Iran.
Now, 29 years later, the tall, dark and silver-haired resident of Potomac, Va., on the suburban outskirts of Washington, simply signs himself "Mister."
His office's press releases refer to him as "the former Crown Prince of Iran," but his staff privately persists in referring to him as "His Majesty."
At 50, Mr. Pahlavi dismisses talk of restoring the monarchy in Iran and says his life is now dedicated to creating a non-violent, democratic revolution there.
"The choice of future government should be left to the Iranian people to decide in a free election," he says. "What form it ultimately takes is up to them. The essential point to me is that there is no way we can achieve our aspirations as a nation unless we have a secular regime, as opposed to this theocracy."
"Without a clear separation of the state and religion you cannot have the beginning of any form of democratic system," he adds.
Mr. Pahlavi was 17 the last time revolution swept over Iran. He was studying to be a fighter pilot at a U.S. Air Force base in Lubbock, Tex., when his father, sick with cancer, fled and surrendered Iran to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic fundamentalist leader.
"Whatever happened in 1979, today people see the net results," he says. "Where the country was going; where are we now. Whatever analysis is made of Iran -- positive, negative, good or bad -- it is something for history to decide and for Iranians to draw their conclusions."
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
The biggest mistake that happened is that Carter and others thought that getting rid of the Iranian or any other monarchy will automatically create a ‘freer’ country. Often just the opposite happens. I know someone who is an Iranian prince and he’s as decent as can be.
God bless his efforts, and the fact that he is willing to rule. He has a big job ahead of him. I will continue to pray.
His father placed too much faith in the ability and even the desire of the US to keep its word.
Jimmuh Carter, Clinton, and the Bushes proved that the US does not keep its word and does not support what is morally and even politically right. Other concerns whether business or political take precedence over justice nand morality.
Iran, Serbia, Cyprus, and Israel is next. Not sure about Taiwan yet.
They ought do the same thing to the whole, “royal family” in Saudi Arabia.
But simply to depose them would be too kind.
Carter sucks.
He was never an effective President or Reagan would not have been able to free “The Hostages.”
I know, and the Insiders know, that freedom for the Hostages was bought with laundered monies. Only because Carter was such a coward.
We now have Carter-In-Black in the White House. What more do we need?
Don’t forget Poland on that list.
“I know, and the Insiders know, that freedom for the Hostages was bought with laundered monies.”
You believe that hooey? If Carter bought the hostages, it would have happened back during the campaign, not at the hour that Reagan came to power.
Thank you
Well, there is only one King of Kings, so the guy was at least a bit delusional.
That said, I’m sure he is better than Imanutjob or any of the mad mullahs.
Like Israel, Taiwan is a nuclear power.
Interesting times.
lets face it the so called western world “at least the politicians” have sold their souls countless times for the black gold. no wonder no one is trusting us...
lets face it “our” governments would do anything to enshure the oil flow from the ME.
I loathe pretty much everything about Saudi Arabia, but if you got rid of the Saudi royals, the situation might be even worse. A lot of the opposition towards the Saudi dynasty is from (even more) extreme wahhabists who think Saudi Arabia isn’t puritanical enough....
Were you alive and well when the Hostages were taken?
Carter did NOTHING for them. He was/is an idiot.
Reagan paid the ransom for their release. If you think differently, shame on you.
The hostages were released because there was a Hero in the White House. A hero that the muzzies didn’t want to face. They knew the difference between a coward and a cowboy...
If you don’t know the difference, you need to spend some time on The Reagan Ranch. My son, 16 years at the time, was ready, willing and able to enlist.
Do NOT EVER accuse me of believing “hooey.”
I’m a military widow who spent 30 years supporting my husband and children in their efforts to defend this country.
As for you, Kirkwood, join the National Guard and find out for two days a months, two weekends a year, what it’s like to be RESPECTED for who and what you are.
Otherwise, STFU. My grandson spent the last 11 months in Afghanistan for your right to be a butthead.
All Carter got us was wrecked helicopters in the desert sand.
Iran agreed to the ransom because they were just sane enough to be afraid to face what Reagan had in his OTHER hand. It was an offer they could not refuse.
You forgot Iraq. You are correct about American promises (at least those of our ‘leaders’). We have been chained too long by corrupt men of both parties. Treasonous RATs and cowardly Rs are a recipe for bad, bad relationships.
Wow even worse. You will believe ANYTHING.
Yep. I was active-duty Air Force at the time, and we had a joke going around that I loved, and still do.
Something to the effect of “a bunch of the other ayatollahs go to Khomeni and tell him that they have heard a new riddle that concerns them. ‘What is blue and glows in the dark?’ Ayatollah Khomeni says, ‘I don't know.’ The others tell him that the punch line is “Tehran, five minutes after Reagan takes office.” Khomeni says, ‘I don't understand that.’ The other ayatollahs say ‘We know, but we do wish you'd think about it for a short time.’”
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