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Posted on 01/22/2005 2:03:08 AM PST by F14 Pilot
"So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation… America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom."
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, who was watching President George W Bush's speech on television at his hotel in London, noted the language. He was relieved that the phrase "regime change" was not used.
He believes that American military intervention in Iran would be wrong: "Iranians are not willing to buy freedom at any cost. They do not want the freedom of an American general marching in. It is a matter of national pride. We do not need an American soldier to save us."
Mr Pahlavi, 44, has been actively campaigning for secular democracy in Iran since September 11. He says that it is only the regime that stands between an educated, well-resourced country and the free world: "All the unemployment and poverty in Iran is a by-product of political asphyxia."
But Mr Pahlavi says that the rising against the regime must come from within. He looks to the Ukraine or Yugoslavia as a model and rejects comparisons with Iraq: "Iran has a different history, polity, totally different scenarios. Our society is more dynamic and capable. We don't need teachers from American universities to come and teach us about democracy."
What Mr Pahlavi wants from Europe and America is "support for the Iranian people. This means refusing to deal with the regime".
He is particularly opposed to any weapons for trade negotiations: "Other countries should take a principled position on the regime. They must not be seen to cut a deal, at the expense of the Iranian people." There has been little reporting of protests against the regime since the elections last year but Mr Pahlavi's adviser, who asked not to be named, claimed the frustration is at boiling point, particularly among students.
"President Khatami addressed a meeting recently and the students started chanting 'shame on you'. It was moving," he says.
The opposition in Iraq is fastening on the May presidential elections as the moment to force the collapse of the regime. Petitions are being compiled on the internet for a referendum. The opposition claims that the election will be hollow.
"Saddam had elections," says Mr Pahlavi. "Let's not be infatuated by elections." Will the Pentagon have the patience to wait for an internal uprising? A report this week by Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker revealed that special forces are already on the ground in Iran.
Mr Pahlavi responds that America must anticipate scenarios but he again rebuffs any sort of intervention. He will not accept, for instance, an American bombing of nuclear installations in Iran to pave the way for a popular uprising. He says that this would immediately strengthen the position of the Mullahs. "It has to be the right mechanism," he says.
He agrees that the stakes are high. Iraq has little chance of becoming a stable country while Iran is supporting insurgency there. "Iran doesn't need to invade Iraq," says Mr Pahlavi. "It is already in there."
He is also clear about the purpose of Iranian Mullahs acquiring nuclear weapons: "It is to blackmail the rest of the world." He says the regime is acutely aware that it is exposed by the toppled tyrannies on its borders and is ready to lash out.
Is he pushing for a restoration of the monarchy as part of a new Iran? "My political mission is over the day that Iranians have the freedom to go to the polls," he says.
I'm waiting.
His name is Mr. Palavi, not Crown prince Reza Pahlavi. The Iranians need freedom and elections, not a medieval theocracy.
They're going to wish their way to freedom. That's the ticket.
his full name and title is: HIM Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shahanshah of the empire of Iran!
I think Crown Prince has already answered our questions.
How well is that working so far?
There was a revolution to rid Iran of his father..no bloodshed, huh?
No Bloodshed!
HIM Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi - he's all hat and no cattle.
That was his official title!
You are implying ther will be no blood shed if the mullahs are deposed?..Right?
All title and no cattle.
The Mullahs will kill as many as they can, no doubt about it and that is one of the reasons Iranian people are scared to complete their job and they have had enough bloodshed so far, they had a bloody war, they had bloody executions and ... etc so they are fed up! but it depends who FORCES the mullahs to kill.
You are free to name him as you wish!
I have seen no scenes of mass uprising against the ruling authorities..I have seen little hope for a peaceful inside revolution..Fear of repressive tactics and imprisonment or death? I don't blame people for being afraid..I just see no change is possible without confronting the authorities.
I know. I'm an American. I would fight to keep my freedom of speech. But thanks for letting me know.
Then you are wrong!
I list the major uprisings against the Mullahs in Iran since 1979...
1- Air Force attempted to coup in summer of 1980, 9000 officers and pilots and soldiers executed
2- Kurds uprising in west of Iran between 1979-1981 where the IRGC units massacred the kurds
3- Massacre of prisoners of conscious in summer of 1987
4- Uprising against the Mullahs in the city Mashad in early 90s that lasted a week
5- Student uprising against the Mullahs in 1999 that lasted 10 days and rocked all major cities in Iran
6- Student uprising against the Authorities in June and July 2003 (Read doctorzin's reports on that)
and lot more unrests and uprisings that failed due to different reasons.
LoL!
It was funny!
I am the free man.
ALL MEN ARE FREE!
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