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Emphasis mine.

While there is probably some disagreement around here on how much involvement the US should have in regime change in Iran, I don't think there is too much disagreement that it would be in our interests if the current regime in Iran was replaced with one more open to the ideals of liberty and freedom.

I tend to fall on the side that we should not be completely isolationist in this regard, and should help to some degree those fighting to bring about regime change. However, I tend to not like those who are supported by or supportive of Marxists or socialists. I see that as replacing one problem with another problem that is not necessarily better (and due to the turmoil during a revolution, probably worse).

It is for this kinship there seems to be with the TransNational Radical Party that I am starting to wonder about the SMCCDI, whose goals and alliances to date I had thought to be totally compatible with the goals of our country.

For example, here we see that the TRP has set up a complete section of their website just for the SMCCDI. You can see over on the right, the following ad:

http://www.radicalparty.org/iran/banner.gif
Here is a complete photo gallery of the SMCCDI with the TRP. Here is an appeal from the TRP and SMCCDI, published on the SMCCDI's website. Here is a press release detailing some of the coordinating activities the TRP and its umbrella groups were taking with the SMCCDI.

Here is a press release from the TRP in Italian. The translation, courtesy of babelfish:

RADICAL IRAN /: TOMORROW MANIFESTATION In front of the EMBASSY IRANIAN To ROME

In the light of the events that are having place in Iran, tomorrow 8 July 2003, Left Radical Transnational one, Radical Italiani and Radicaliroma will be present in front of the Embassy Iranian in order to ask the respect for the right of the students to manifest the following day, in all the Iran where day in memory of the tragic events of 1999 is previewed one. In that occasion, the manifestations of the students of Tehran, like in China of Tienanmen Public square in 1989, were repressed in the blood from the teocratico regimen Iranian, from the so-called "reformist government" of Khatami.

Against Hush of this Europe that once again chooses not opporsi to antiliberal governments, isolating and disarming the hopes of the young people Iranians, the radicals will manifest raising the faces of the killed students, and will deliver one letter to the ambassador sanctioned Iranian in order to remember the obligation from the Universal Declaration of the rights of the man.

They will be present:
MARK PANNELLA and MARK CAPPATO, European deputies,
SERGIO STANZANI, President of the PRT,
SERGIO Of ELIA, Secretary of Nobody Touches Caino
DANIEL CAPEZZONE, Secretary of Italian Radicals
NICOLE SADIGHI, journalist Iranian and exponent of the Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI)

Here's a story showing the involvement of some other leftist organizations:
It was to an audiance composed of Italian officials, activists and journalists that, on Saturday, Mr. Kaveh Mohseni, the SMCCDI's Special Representative to the Cagliari (S. Italy) Conference, called for the support of the "Iran's Freedom Process" and its "Secularist forces" by Italy and its European partners of EU...

This meeting, coordinated by Ms. Stefania Lepanna and Mr. Michele Demontis, was organized by Italy's "Radicali Sardi" and the "TransNational Radical Party", and several Italian deputies from groups such as, the "Democratie-Socialisti", were among the supporters and speakers.

That was not 100% correct though, as this Italian girl pointed out on her blog:
However,In the text that SMCCDI has published there is something incorrect:

The event in Italy has been organized by the "Transnational Radical Party" and Association "Radicali Sardi"

The "Socialisti Democratici Italiani" did not organize the event, they will be there as special participants.

It's very important to modify this piece of text..

Love the smiley. Ahem.

So who exactly are the TransNational Radical Party? It's a bigger, more powerful leftist organization than you would expect for a group you have never heard of. Their website is here. Gandhian, socialist, "libertarian socialist" (which is also often known as "anarchist". Here's how they described themselves back in 1998.

Here is some info on one of the leaders.

In his political career, Mr. Pannella co-founded a series of organizations such as the League for divorce, the League for objection of conscience, the League for the abrogation of the Agreement between the Catholic Church and the Italian State (Concordato), the Centre of legal initiative “Pietro Calamandrei”, as well as the Italian Association for Demographic Education (AIED). He has been at the forefront of the promotion important reforms regarding narcotics, facing incarceration on various occasions for his civil disobediences. He played a prominent role in the pro-choice movement in Italy that led to the legalization of abortion in the early 1980s...

Engaged in the defence of civil rights in Eastern European countries, in 1968, he was arrested in Sofia for having distributed leaflets against the Communist regime. He is one of the first promoters and founders of the “Green” and “ecologist” political movements in Europe....

Mr. Pannella was one of the first European Federalists and fought, through non-violent means, for the creation of the European Union...

He is honorary President of the Party of the Rom (ROI) in the Czech Republic and he is also honorary member of the Socialist Slovene Youth. The KKL, Karen Kalehm Le Israel dedicated him a reforestation area in the desert of Negev in Israel.

I think this flirtation or marriage (depending on just how tight things are between them) is a tragic mistake on the part of the Iranian students.
1 posted on 01/24/2004 8:48:59 AM PST by William McKinley
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To: DoctorZIn; nuconvert
ping
2 posted on 01/24/2004 8:50:56 AM PST by William McKinley
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To: William McKinley
This is all interesting, but I'm seeing these 2 organizations attending the same conference, and using each other to promote a common cause....democracy and freedom for Iranians. I'm not seeing more to it than that. Am I missing something?
4 posted on 01/24/2004 9:23:48 AM PST by nuconvert ( It's a naive domestic Burgundy without any breeding, ..I think you'll be amused by its presumption)
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To: William McKinley; nuconvert
You are asking interesting questions. I admire your efforts and concern.

SMCCDI works with many groups on both the right and left.
I have regular contact with their US leadership and they are very supportive of our president and his efforts.

There is a lot of pressure on groups like this to be inclusive. Even our greatest supporters in the US Senate have asked Iranians in the US to create a single group that can represent the Iranian people's cause, from far left to far right.

I believe SMCCDI is simply trying to work with all those that will champion their cause.

I think your real question is whether these radical left wing groups will be able to exert undo influence on a post Islamic regime. If we refuse to work with them because the left also supports their cause, the left will be the only ones giving them counsel and advice.

This would be a greater mistake.
12 posted on 01/24/2004 11:39:16 AM PST by DoctorZIn (adi)
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To: sauropod; Cacique
Read whole thing please. :D
14 posted on 01/24/2004 3:16:38 PM PST by hellinahandcart
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To: William McKinley
Reading anything by Jack Wheeler is worth it..especially about Muslims, Islam or the Quran....
28 posted on 01/25/2004 9:34:13 AM PST by hosepipe
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To: William McKinley; DoctorZIn; F14 Pilot
I recognize your concerns on this matter, however, the history of revolutions show that they're far more effective when all opposition groups unite.

All opposition against the Islamic Republic must unite under one banner to be able to effectively battle the regime. The regime has it's supporters, some 15% are fiercly loyal and will gives their lives in a second to defend the regime. They also have supporters in Europe, Russia, China, and even in the United States so in order to psychologically, and politically battle the regime and their supporters --opposition must be united.

Don't worry- "Leftists", don't have a chance of taking over Iran's government in free and fair elections. A Leftist organization is the MKO, or MEK, and they have very minimal support inside the country. Of course, there is always the possibility of them taking over with brutal force, but i think our government is more prepared to take on that possibility and won't allow it to happen.

But you bring up a good point in that we have to be careful that what happened in 1979 doesn't happen again. The majority of the people demonstrating against the Shah were Social Democrats, Nationalists, and some Leftists, strangely enough because of promises of free and fair elections and democracy they all united under Khomeini.

After taking over Khoemini's followers killed off thousands upon thousands of the people that supported his calls for democracy, whereby he installed the Theocratic Dictatorship we see in Iran today.



29 posted on 01/25/2004 11:33:34 AM PST by freedom44
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