Terror attacks transform U.S. image in Iran's media

Reuters ^ | 14-09-2001 | Reuters

[Deep_6]

Terror attacks transform U.S. image in Iran's media
Dubai - Reuters - 14-09-2001

The deadly terror attacks in the United States
transformed the super power's image in Iran overnight,
with the official media providing a rare glimpse of the
enemy's human side after two decades of demonising it.

For the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution,
Iranians are being offered a more realistic picture of
the United States, a country once depicted as the
"Great Satan," the "Great oppressor" and a "paragon of
pagan decadence".

State television, which in the past heavily distorted
news about the United States, has been giving full
coverage of the events in New York and Washington,
complete with details of human suffering.

Iranian leaders, from reformist to conservative, have
strongly condemned the attacks in an unprecedented
expression of sympathy for their long-time enemy, and
offered cooperation to fight terrorism.

"We condemn any act of terror and murder of innocent
people. No Muslim can be pleased about such a human
catastrophe," Hassan Rowhani, a top security official,
said on Wednesday.

Tehran and Washington broke off diplomatic relations
after the revolution which toppled the U.S.-allied
shah. They have since been at loggerheads and no senior
Iranian officials had previously expressed sympathy
openly for the United States.

Now the official media and politicians are breaking
long-held taboos, displaying uninhibited emotions and
using unconventional phrases to refer to the suicide
plane attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

"Human catastrophe", "enormous crime", "murderers" and
"terrorists," were terms once used against the United
States rather than in sympathy with it.

The about-face appears to be prompted by the enormity
of the tragedy and Iran's desire to shed its radical
image in the West. The Islamic republic is on the U.S.
State department list of states supporting
international terrorism, a charge Tehran has always
denied.

In their zeal to join the international condemnation,
Iranian politicians have avoided their habitual
double-language and flatly condemned the attacks. But
some also drew parallels with American actions
elsewhere in the world.

"Just as Iran is sad for America, the American
government too should put greater value on the lives of
people in other parts of world," Fatemeh Khatami, a
member of parliament, told Iran's student news agency
ISNA.

Parliamentary Speaker Mehdi Karroubi yesterday voiced
concern over negative sentiments against Muslims in the
United States, whipped up by the attacks.

"Any Muslim, any human being obviously denounces the
killing of innocent citizens but, unfortunately, a
poisonous climate has been created against Muslims.
This is not right," he said on television.

The Speaker said he was concerned that Israel could
exploit the situation to intensify the "repression" of
Palestinians.

Many have urged the United States not to jump to
conclusions and single out Muslim groups for blame.

"The Americans have done that before and then realised
it was a mistake," said former MP Mohammed Reza
Bahonar, referring to the Oklahoma city federal
building bombing. "There is a serious need to review
past attitudes so we can truly eradicate terrorism."

[Deep_6]

Occasionally but too rarely, good things can be
the unintended result of otherwise very evil
and terribly horrendous acts.

I pray this can be one of those times.

[Gadsden1st]

Too little....Too late!

[BluH2o]

The about-face appears to be prompted by the enormity of the tragedy and Iran's desire to shed its radical image in the West. The Islamic republic is on the U.S. State department list of states supporting international terrorism ...

The about face has more to do with fear ... fear that the U.S. and allied countries may bomb Tehran (an incubator of terrorism) back to the stone age.

[Ed_in_NJ]

Do not be fooled by what these snakes SAY. They are messing their diapers right now, in anticipation of what we might do to their part of the world, and this is how they are trying to curry favor before we strike. What they are DOING is very likely not in our interests -- whether it is actively supporting our enemies or just looking the other way.

People around the world have come to believe that we as a nation are fools or suckers -- that someone can tell us anything, and that we will believe it, while they are stabbing us in the back.

They just saw our former POTUS get away with it.

[stuartcr]

I do hope that you're sincere in this posting. Be aware though, that you probably will be severely attacked. It's been my belief all along that whether it's a terrorist attack, declared war, or NATO action, whatever you want to call it, the ones that suffer are the innocents, not the ones that are actually responsible.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Besides, Iranians are the most cunning folks in Middle East, especially those in power. They can show you many faces.

[neutrino]

And since they deplore these acts strongly, they will surely assist us in dismembering Afghanistan and Iraq. They WILL do that, won't they? Or is their sympathy just lies and posturing?

Yes, I know the answer to that question.

[syriacus]

I hope this is a good sign. But I am cynical enough to think Iran just doesn't want to be seen rejoicing over the death of particular person(s) in one of the towers.

I don't know which particular person(s) might have died that Iranians respected or cared for. But I think, that Iran, like a lot of other nations, realized the 'bell tolled' for some of their own friends in those towers and didn't toll 'merely' for Americans.

[mxbluto]

twit

[Let's Roll]

They keep saying "let's not jump to conclusions - remember Oklahoma City". The Federal Building was blown up at 9 a.m. - we had McVeigh in custody by 2-2:30 that afternoon. How much jumping to conclusions was there time for. Give me a break!

Also, lying to and or deceiving the infidels (that would be us for those in Palm Beach County) is a virtue in their eyes. Earth to soccer moms, they will NOT ever like us, but we can make them respect us.

[Publius6961]

I strongly believe that this news item was translated wrong.

The Iranian version simply says:

"Please Mr. USA, no city busters or Tomahawks aimed at us.
Pretty please"?

[doug from upland]

Translation: Please do no vaporize us.

[Zorobabel]

Their expressions of shock and condolences warm my heart almost as much as that photo of Arafat donating blood for the WTC victims.

[Jhensy]

I'd see it as hopeful. Don't forget that Iran had a vast, Europeanized educated middle class for years- they were great allies of ours, and our best friends in the Arab world until the fundamentalists took over with fall of the Shah. Despite the stupidity of their rulers these past 20 years, much of Iran remembers the good ol' days when they WERE a civlized country. This crack in the mullahs' dam should be encouraged, not laughed at.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I agree, I have a terrible feeling that we as a peace loving nation are about to embark on mission of horror and destruction that regions of the world have never seen.
I sadly concede however that such actions may be necessary to let the world know that we will no longer tolerate the horror and destruction bestowed upon innocent people.
It's not as if we didn't try, for nearly 40 years we have tried to broker peace among these radicals. We have to realize that the only language that they understand is terror and violence.
It's time for us to start speaking their language.

[skeeter]

Iran has been known to blow airliners out of the sky in the past.

IMO this is PR meant to confuse & hamper our response.

[Gadsden1st]

I'm not laughing. Too many Americans have shed too much blood to make and keep us and others free. I have no sympathy for any people who allow themselves to be governed by tyrants. People get the government they deserve. If they are not brave enough to fight to their deaths to overthrow their shackels, don't come sniveling to us when the cr#p is about to hit the fan. Too little...too late!!

[Deep_6]

Osama bin Laden is one smart cookie.

He and his cohorts knew the emotions of Americans would
generate a backlash against all those of Middle Eastern
heritage or appearance.

That would provide more fuel to rally Arab and Muslim
alike, who would have otherwise felt Osama bin Laden's
motivations and ideals are despicable.

Paint the USA as a bitter, unmerciful Nation; full of
bigots and prejudiced individuals that are willing to
destroy others based only on their appearance and
heritage, rather than on their acts.

Congratulations.... You're all doing a fine job
of helping Osama bin Laden prove his point.

[truth_eagle]

Congratulations.... You're all doing a fine job of helping Osama bin Laden prove his point.

GO SCREW YOURSELF! IT'S TIME WE STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHAT "THEY" THINK ABOUT US!