A Public Letter to Senator E.M. Kennedy
SMCCDI (Public Statement)
Jul 16, 2003
Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI)
The Honorable Senator Edward M. Kennedy
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202) 224-2417
senator@kennedy.senate.gov Dear Senator Kennedy:
For decades, the name Kennedy has stood for freedom, liberty, and justice throughout the world. You, Sir, are the sole bearer of the legacy of two of the most beloved fallen heroes of America and those who value human dignity and honor throughout the world. You have continued President John F. Kennedy’s ideals, passion and eloquence; you have retraced Senator Robert Kennedy’s journey to places of hurt and hunger; and you, yourself, Senator, stand, and have been dubbed, as the “Lion” protector and defender of the voiceless and the downtrodden!
Senator Kennedy, why and how would you permit a terrorist, barbaric and brutal regime such as the Islamic Republic, that is occupying Iran at the present time, to associate itself with you and your name?
Regrettably, we have been informed that since the previous lobby group of the Islamic Republic, called American Iranian Council (AIC), has been exposed and discredited, new proxies have filled in and have formed a new group under the title of: Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC). This group has indicated that you would be participating as a keynote guest in the reception that will mark their official launching!
The founding member of this group is Mr. Hassan Nemazee, an American of Iranian origin and one discredited, and well-known agent of the Islamic Republic, within the Iranian community in the United States. Their agenda in their own words is: “…how relations between the Islamic Republic and the United States can be restored in support of the Islamic Republic and the revolution.”
We find this extremely disturbing and rather baffling! Senator Kennedy, your own Department of State lists the Islamic Republic as the most active “State Sponsor of Terrorism.” Iranian nation stands as a testimony to that; we were the first victims of these terrorists! Since any association with a terrorist regime like the Islamic Regime of Iran is in direct defiance of the “U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act,” and the “Homeland Security Act,” how could the formation of such a lobby group be permitted in the first place, and why would it be allowed so brazenly to pursue and further its illegal activities in the United States? Moreover, how could a man of your honor and a Senator of your stature agree to participate and cooperate with such a regime?
We, sincerely, hope that their claim of your association with such a lobby group, for a terrorist regime, is baseless. Nevertheless, Senator, we feel compelled to inform you that this group is already exploiting your good name to generate support for their nefarious objectives and activities.
They intend to prey on the unsuspecting Iranian community in the United States to collect campaign contributions in support for the members of the Congress and other organs of the United States government that they deem suitable and would back the terrorist regime of the Islamic Republic. Although, Mr. Nemazee and his associates are well known to the Iranian community; nonetheless, we will expose the group and a massive drive has been undertaken to inform the Iranians residing in the United States.
Banking on the greed of the American business and, out of sheer ignorance, counting on differences of ideology and Party affiliation within the United States, this is one more desperate attempt by this corrupt and bankrupt regime, in its dying days, to hang on to power.
For two decades, the greed and hypocrisy of the European countries and others, at the expense of the Iranian nation, have supported and sustained this regime. Evidently, the Islamic Republic hopes to be able and intends to manipulate the internal politics of the United States and does not understand the efforts of the Founding Fathers, the core values of this great nation, and the famous axiom of “politics stops at the water’s edge” that have been the backbone of the foreign policy of the United States!
Senator Kennedy, twenty-four years ago, a gang of corrupt and illiterate Mullahs hijacked a nation and took its population hostage under the sham of religion and their perverted brand of Islam. Rule of law was replaced by reign of terror and what has been imposed upon the people of Iran is utterly against centuries of their civilization, culture, heritage and every fiber and grain of their being. Sir, people of Iran have been silenced by sheer terror and are suffering in silent captivity for over two decades!
Today, 700,000 Iranians are languishing in Regime’s secret prisons, and in a nation rich with abundance of natural recourses, 57 percent of the population lives under the line of poverty. This regime has decimated and defiled everything it has touched! This is the shameful legacy of this corrupt theocracy!
Senator, just within the last twenty days, with the new wave of demonstrations against the theocracy, in Regime’s effort to crush the freedom movement, numerous young students were murdered and 4,000 of our compatriots were brutally attacked, imprisoned, tortured and still remain in the clutches of the regime. Sir, they were merely demanding their God-given rights as human beings! And, only last week the regime murdered another foreign journalist of Canadian nationality; she was beaten to death! Senator, this is the true barbaric face of the Islamic Republic that Mr. Nemazee and his ilk hide from you!
According to their own words, this regime, at the expense of the Iranian people, has amassed and has at its disposal eight million armed paramilitary groups, comprised of paid domestic and foreign terrorist, to unleash on the nation. We are facing them with our bare hands but steeled resolve. On a daily basis, we are being crushed under the galloping greed and viciousness of this Islamic Republic and all we are striving for is our freedom. Senator, those with fresh memory of tyranny know the value of freedom!
With your permission, and to paraphrase the words of President Kennedy, we believe, America stands as symbol of freedom, “and no one has enriched that freedom more than you. Senator!” Sir, all we ask is the moral support of the United States. All we expect is that the United States will remain true to its principles of liberty and justice and its ideals of democracy.
Senator Kennedy, everything this regime stands for is anathema to your own sacred values. On the other hand, we are confident that you identify with our cause, you understand our mission, you sense our determination, and you recognize the steel of our resolve. Sir, we have long admired and respected you for your commitment and dedication.
We believe, our cause is just; for it is the cause of freedom. Our mission is clear and sacred; for it is to regain our blessed land, Sir, our determination is strong and our resolve is steeled as well.
The irony is that, Senator, for who you are, for what you stand, and what you have fought for your entire life, one would imagine that you would have taken up our cause rather than supporting a demented terrorist regime! But, alas!
Senator Kennedy, any support that would in any way sustain and prolong the life of this regime would protract our suffering. Indeed, any relations or associations with the present regime that would extend its despicable survival and its hold on power could bear crucial consequences for relations with the future generations of Iran!
Bearing in mind that almost 70 percent of the populace is under the age of 30; outraged by incessant terror and torture, and what has been done onto us and our nation, we are risking our lives challenging the corrupt regime and its terrorist’s apparatus; for us, it is only a matter of time. We will prevail! Senator, we are the future of Iran!
Sir, throughout ages, some men, their ideals, and their passion transcend cultures, ideologies, national boundaries and even time; they belong not to one nation but mankind! Their names are etched in the memories and inspire generations past, present, and generations yet to be born; the name Kennedy is one such name!
Senator, as students, as freedom fighters, and as a nation under siege we have been inspired by your ideals and have respected and admired your unbending stance in your beliefs. We implore you, do not permit this odious regime to exploit and desecrate the much-admired Kennedy name!
We, as students, as the entire Iranian nation, are struggling and striving to reclaim our land, our freedom, national identity, pride, heritage, and centuries of our proud history and civilization.
Senator, we feel confident that our plight resonates with this nation and you, Sir, above all; for, this country is held as the shining beacon of hope for all the freedom-loving people, and you, Senator, are regarded as one of the true icons, guardians, and advocates of human rights, liberties, justice, and democratic ideals.
Respectfully,
On behalf of SMCCDI,
Aryo B. Pirouznia (for the Committee)
DoctorZin Note: We posted information about the IAPAC the other day. That post incorrectly stated that Darrell Issa would be attending the event. Apparently SMCCDI wants Senator Kennedy to withdraw his support as well. More needs to be written on the IAPAC and Iran's Washington DC lobby. If any of you have more information on this group or other US based supporters of the Islamic regime, please email the information. I would like to produce a detailed analysis of their efforts.