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To find the links to all 27 threads since the protests started, go to:

Join Us at Iranian Alert -- DAY 28 -- LIVE THREAD PING LIST
Live Thread Ping List | 7.7.2003 | DoctorZIn

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Here is some Inspiration for Iranian women. Molly Pitcher helped her husband, an artillery man on the frontlines of the Revolution, and when he fell, she took his place at the cannon.

KNC Statement of Support for Kurdish Demonstrations in Iran

07-07-2003
Source: Kurdish Media
Last Sunday, June 22, 2003, Iranian security forces occupied the University of Kurdistan in Sena (Sanandaj).

Over the past several weeks, a popular uprising against the brutal clerics regime in Iran has swept through the country. The Kurds, along with other groups, are active participants in the uprisings which ostensibly started as student demonstrations, but quickly attracted people from all walks of life—all united in their opposition to the clerics in power.

The Kurdish people in Iran have opposed the current government from its inception. In a referendum held soon after the 1979 revolution, the people of Sena opposed the Islamic government. Protestors filled the streets carrying huge banners saying “Na” (no) to the creation of an Islamic regime.

For this they paid dearly. Just two months after the revolution, the Iranian army was mobilized against the Kurdish cities and countryside, and the army murdered thousands of Kurds during the armed conflict of the early years of the Islamic Republic. Additionally, zealous religious judges such as Khalkhali handed out scores of summary death sentences against the peaceful and innocent populace.

The resistance and protests that started in 1979 continue even today in Sena and other major Kurdish cities, including Kermashan (Kermanshah), Mahabad, Bana, and Saqqez. In March of this year, three young Kurdish men were executed by the regime. Today, many other Kurds, in prison and victims of torture, are at imminent risk of execution for their activities with the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). The Kurdish demands are not excessive – they are simply struggling for basic human rights including cultural freedom and the right to self-determination

The Kurdish National Congress of North America (KNC) strongly condemns the tactics used against the demonstrators by Islamic fundamentalist groups and government forces, and supports the struggle to bring about a democratic government in Iran. We urge all KNC members and supporters of the Kurdish cause to express their solidarity with the people of Iran and to join in demonstrations inside and outside of Iran planned for July 8-9, the anniversary of a brutal crackdown on student demonstrators in 1999.

The Kurdish National Congress of North America

Iran is a country ready for a regime change. If you follow this thread you will witness, I believe, the transformation of a country. This daily thread provides a central place where those interested in the events in Iran can find the best news and commentary.

And thank you for the daily thread. It is wonderful to see the Iranian people standing up.

What is the anticipated turnout for 9 Jul, and how widespread are the protests expected to be?

Official: Close to 3 million people have addiction problems

Tehran, July 7, IRNA -- Director of Public Relations and International

Affairs Department of the Drug Control Headquarters Mohammad Hossein Khademi said here Monday that out of Iran's population of about 67 million, 'close to three million people have addiction problems'.

The UN as well as Iranian non-governmental organizations (NGO) also strive to put into effect programs to prevent the rest of the population from the menace of narcotics addiction. Describing the 'DCH special anti-drug campaign', he said this year's plans are different from previous ones due to its special emphasis on cultural dimensions of addiction which stresses the prevention side.

He added that the DCH anti-narcotics plans are based on UN's plans and aspires to incorporate President Khatami's views. Although waging campaign against cultivation, production and distribution of narcotics is a priority for the headquarters, 'its pivotal role is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in the country', Khademi said.

Presidential advisor and DCH secretary general, Ali Hashemi said here last Wednesday that the drug problem has degenerated into a global threat, 'whose impact is no less than that of nuclear and environmental hazards'.

Speaking to reporters, he added that the cash flow from drug trade runs close to dlrs 1,600 billion annually and that the total number of addicts worldwide is close to 400 million.

He referred to the 44 million youth under 30 in Iran and said, "They are facing danger of addiction and we need to strive to create employment opportunities for them and fill their idle time."

He also warned that if addiction in the country is not effectively dealt with, it could become a national security threat. He said one of the DCH's goals is to reduce the threat of addiction through prevention and treatment. He further highlighted the important role of non-governmental organization (NGO) in combating drugs trafficking.

Hashemi stated that DCH has inked anti-drug trafficking agreements with over 28 countries and participated in four seminars held in Paris, Tehran, Vienna and Kabul last year. Hashemi said Afghanistan still poses a serious danger to the region as its serves as a route for transit of drugs.

He said more than 65,000 hectares of lands in Afghanistan were under poppy cultivation and the figure is expected to reach 85,000 hectares in 2003.

He expressed regret over Iran lying on the route for transit of drugs, calling for all-out campaign against use of illicit drugs.

He added that 152 tons of drugs, including 10 tons of morphine and 65 tons of hashish, were confiscated from drug traffickers in the same period.

NB/AH/AR End

http://www.irna.ir/en/tnews/030707190641.etn09.shtml

3 million addicts is about 4.5 % of the population and about 7 % of those under 30!

"They are facing danger of addiction and we need to strive to create employment opportunities for them and fill their idle time."

Why not give them freedom to create their own future, obviously the mosque is not the answer.

SMCCDI: "Clarify Your Position, Secretary Powell"

Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI)
________________

July 7, 2003

The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

Fax: 202-261-8577

Sir,

The coming week is the most important in the last 25 years, for the Iranian people and perhaps the world. The next few days will determine our future. It will determine whether Iran will join the world community. Whether it will join in the fight against international terrorism or continue to be it’s biggest supporter.

As you must be aware, July 9th is destined to be the confrontation between the regime and the lovers of freedom. The level of support by the people of Iran will determine its outcome.

The recent statements of support by your president in our quest for freedom were of great encouragement to us. His statements were clear and unmistakable.

In contrast, your words have caused more damage than anything the regime could do or say. We expected the regime to doing everything possible to discourage the people from any protest on this date. What we did not expect is for you, our moral ally in this struggle, to agree with the regime in its analysis of the conflict.

At this most critical moment in Iran’s history, your statements have caused widespread confusion, shock, despair and anger within Iran.

You are an intelligent man with great accomplishments in this administration. That is why it is so difficult for the people of Iran to understand your greatly flawed understanding of our struggle against the tyranny of the present regime. Your statements are not consistent with the facts, as they exist in Iran today.

In your statement this weekend, it is reported that, that you said the United States should stay out this Iranian "family fight" and that it is your hope that "the United States had learned its lesson not to interfere in Iran's affairs." It sounded like a press statement from the regime, not the US Secretary of state. This is not a family fight. The regime does not reflect the will of the people of Iran. It is not an Iranian regime but a radical Islamic regime. This regime hates Iran, our love for our culture, our history. It has taken hostage our entire country. They are not part of our family.

If your statement was designed to make clear that the United States was not prepared to back up our efforts militarily, we understand that. We have consistently and repeatedly declared that we do not need your military support. But we do need your encouragement. The people of Iran need to know that the United States supports the morally correctness of opposing this regime. Yours is one of the few nations to speak with moral clarity in our world today, which is why your statements are so discouraging to millions of Iranians.

You spoke of Iran as a democracy. But it is not a true democracy. As you must know the regime only permits people who support the regime to be placed on the ballot. Our true leaders are not in the regime or its parliament. They are either in prison or in hiding. We do not support the so-called reform movement. In our last election, we asked the people of Iran not to participate any longer in the illegitimate elections of this illegitimate regime. As a result, fewer than 12% of the public voted and this in a nation where voting is mandatory. The people of Iran no longer support either the so-called reformist or conservative elements of the regime. Please do not support them either.

This is not a conflict between the reformers and the hardliners, as you appear to assume. The protests in our country are lead by a third force that supports a true secular democratic republic. It is no longer a student movement alone; it is broad based with supporters every aspect of our society.

We are calling for a national referendum where the people of Iran can judge the legitimacy of this regime. We believe a separation of religion and state are necessary and therefore seek the establishment of a secular government. But, we will respect the will of the Iranian people whatever their choice may be. Only the Iranian people can determine their own future. We simply ask for your moral support.

The hours are ticking by before the July 9th demonstrations and strikes are to begin.

We need a clear statement of your support for our efforts.

We beseech you to clarify your position for the entire world to hear, before it is too late.

We are prepared to be the friends of the United States that you have longed for. Secretary Powell: give us a chance, give us your support, do it now, before it’s too late!

Respectfully,

On behalf of SMCCDI,

Aryo B. Pirouznia (for the Committee)

SMCCDI
5015 Addison Circle #244 Addison, TX 75001 (USA)
Phone: +1 (972) 504-6864; E.Mail: smccdi@daneshjoo.org
www.smccdi.org; www.daneshjoo.org; www.iranstudents.org

http://www.iran-daneshjoo.org/cgi-bin/smccdinews/viewnews.cgi?category=5&id=1057598723

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DoctorZin Note: I will be publishing an American version of this letter shortly. We need to fax or email this to Secretary Powell and the media immediately.

This second post will appear shortly.

Here is a link to the letter I am sending Secretary Powell that I promised.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/941493/posts

Please send it to him and the media, immediately.

Also, please attend the demonstrations of support being hosted around the country. Your presence will make a difference.

DoctorZin

NITV (the most popular of the La Based Iranian broadcasters into Iran) reported to me that their "uplink" in the US was being jammed reportedly from within the US... a sign of things to come? Here is their report...

Iranian Rogue Carrier Blocks NITV Transmission
2003-07-07

Dear NITV Viewers,
As you are aware, our television broadcast has been, once again, terrorized by the evil signals of Islamic Republic regime.

According to ADTH, an American-based satellite transmission company that broadcast our signal, a rogue carrier has been targeting our transponder since early hours of Sunday July 6. Investigations are now on the way to detect the source of illegal transmissions.

Due to criticality of the situation in Iran which coincides with the anniversary of Student Uprising (18 Tir), we have decided not to wait for the result of investigations but to start transmiting on different frequencies and satellites for the next few days. For this reason we are in desperate need of your financial help. Please submit your donations as soon as possible by clicking here.

http://www.nitv.tv/main.htm

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Thought you might like to know that I was interviewed last night on NITV just after this happened. I was on with the US representative of the Iranian Student Movement (SMCCDI). He spoke to the Iranian people about what we are doing here at the FreeRepublic. I must tell you that the Iranian people were extremely grateful to hear a non-Iranian American speak passionately about their cause. It was a privilege and honor to address the people of Iran at this critical moment in history. It was a humbling event.

By the way, I will be in their studios starting Tuesday afternoon through the night to bring you all the breaking news in Iran.

Thank you for all your support.

DoctorZin

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail me”

Just a reminder:

Major demonstrations planned in Support of Iranian Students

Date: Wed. July 9, 2003 Time: 10:00 Location: US Capital Square, In front of Capital Building, West Front area Source: contact: 800-662-8196 or www.tazahorat.org In Attendence: Senator Sam Brownback, Senator Brad Sherman and others.

Support Iranian Students In Their Quest For Freedom & Democracy

The young people are investing their lives for freedom in Iran. All they are asking from you is to invest only a few hours of your time.

On July 9th, 2003, the fourth anniversary of the Islamic Regime's savage massacre of the university Students in Iran, the Coalition for the Pro-democracy Iranian groups in cooperation with International Harmony are organizing a demonstration in solidarity with Iranian student's Struggle for freedom. the demonstration of July 9, 2003 will focus on the Islamic Regime's denial of unalienable rights of Iranian people to liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness. The demonstration of July 9, 2003 in Washington D.C. will also place emphasis on condemning the Iranian Regime's cardinal standing in sponsoring radical Islamic Ideology and International acts of Terroism.

Place: The United States Capitol Square, Capitol Building, West Front Area. Washington D.C.

TIME: 10:00 AM, Wednesday July 9, 2003

Senators Sherman, and Brownback said they will be in attendence to speak to a very large mix of Iranian-Americans and other supporters of Democracy in Iran.

Satellite Television has reported other Demonstrations initiated by Iranian-Americans in Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Seattle, Chicago, most countries in Europe, and Australia. All groups of people will be in attendence to show their vocal support.

Here a couple they announced today:

Los Angeles July 8th 6pm front of Federal Building in Westwood for more information 818-355-3747

Atlanta Tuesday July 8th CNN Center From 5-9 with live Music

Charlotte July 8th 4pm in front of the Federal Court House

Chicago Wednesday July 9th 6-9pm Michigan Street

Seattle Tuesday July 8th 6-8pm 15 & 45th street - Univ of Washington.

Houston Tuesday July 8th 6-8pm 2300 Between St. Phillip and Westernet

Texas July 8th at 630pm in front of the Capital Building

New York July 9th 11-2pm 1st and 47th for more information 718-445-9761

Miami July 9th 12-5pm Aside British Embassy at Bayside Park

Austin, TX July 8th at 630pm J8 in front of the Capital Building for more information 512-789-7076

San Diego Sunday July 6th Federal Building Front Street & Broadway from 5-9pm

Houston Sunday July 6th Muslim Community Center (Guy said symbolic gesture to the Mullahs) from 6-8pm

Germany Berlin Date: Sat. July 5, 2003 Time: 12:00-15:30 Location: Podbielskiallee 65 (U1, metro line 1) Source: contact: various

Frankfort Date: Sat. July 5, 2003 Time: 11:00 Location: Bocken heimer warte (in front of Frankfort University) Source: contact: www.Ebram@T-online.de

Sweden Stockholm Date: Wednesday. July 9, 2003 Time: 17.00 (swedish time) Location: Sergelstorg, Stockholm City Source: various

Denmark Copenhagen Date: Wed. July 9, 2003 Time: 16:00 Location: In front of In front of Iran Embassy Source: contact: +45-5160-3121

Spain Barcelona Date: Wed. July 9, 2003 Time: 10:00-12:00 Location: Plaza Sant Jaume Source: SMCCDI

United Kingdom London Date: Wed. July 9, 2003 Time: 2pm to 4pm Location: No 10 Downing Street, London (near Westminster station) Source: contact:07957 212 890 - 07958 313 397

Belgium Brussel Date: Mon 23 June, 2003 Time: 14:00-16:00 Location: In Iran Embassy, Av tervuren 415 , 1150 Bruxelles Source: contact: dfrdi@hotmail.com

Date: Tue. July 8, 2003 Time: 14:00-18:00 Location: In front of European Union Building Source: contact: dfrdi@hotmail.com

France Paris Date: Wed. July 9, 2003 Time: 19:00-23:00 Location: Place Iena, Main Square of the City Source: SMCCDI

Paris Date: Sat. July 12, 2003 Time: 15:00-19:00 Location: Place Odeon Source: SMCCDI

Saving Iran From Itself

James Jay Carafano

According to "realist" international-relations theory, nations will act in their own self-interest. Iranian leaders who are pushing to provide their country with the option to "go nuclear" don't seem to get the idea.

Virtually every nation that has fielded a nuclear weapon has done so to counter a perceived threat. Iran seems to want to be the exception. And arming itself with nukes isn't merely unnecessary; it could do irreparable harm to its international standing and strategic security.

Inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) show that Iran has pushed the legal limit and gone a bit beyond what's permissible for a peaceful nuclear research effort. It seems pretty clear that the Iranians are trying to develop enough expertise and capacity to switch from a legitimate program to producing fissile material for nuclear weapons in very short order.

Tehran's nuclear research program makes absolutely no sense from an economic or environmental standpoint. Iran has more than enough petroleum to meet its domestic and export needs, and plenty of natural gas is available if anyone's worried about air pollution.

Nuclear weapons make even less sense from a strategic point of view. Iran is arguably much safer than it was a decade ago. The Soviet bear has been declawed. Russia's military poses no threat. The Taliban is gone, and a friendly warlord sits on the Afghan-Iranian border. Saddam Hussein (search), who once led an invasion of Iran, has been deposed. Turkey certainly isn't interested in attacking Iran. Even Israel may make peace with the Palestinian Authority (search), leaving Iran scant justification for portraying that conflict as a causus belli.

Ironically, all these developments can in great part be attributed to the policies of the United States -- which, it can be argued, has done more to make the world safe for Iran than all the mullahs in Tehran.

Iranians might argue that they have to defend themselves against the United States. After all, the president did list their country as part of an axis of evil. But Iran is on the list only because it has backed terrorists and pursued weapons of mass destruction (search). With the Baathist Party out of power in Iraq and peace close to breaking out in Palestine, support for terrorism as a means to advance Iranian interest makes little sense. And a nuclear weapons program, which is more likely to gain Washington's ire than its indifference, doesn't seem like a good idea for a country that wants to enhance its security.

A nuclear program would be logical only if Iran wants a stick that it can use to bully neighbors and raise its standing in the Islamic world. But wait, Pakistan tried that route. All it managed to achieve was a nuclear standoff that threatens to kill millions of people if somebody makes a mistake or gets an itchy trigger finger.

Even if Iran builds a nuclear capability, it can rest assured that, like North Korea (search), it will get more attention from the United States than it wants. It also will risk isolating itself diplomatically and economically from the nations that can help meet the aspirations of young Iranians who wish to see their country grow and prosper.

That said, Iran's leaders have time to come to their senses. If they decided to build a bomb tomorrow, it would take time to produce the fissile material (search), assemble a workable weapon, and marry it to a reliable delivery system. By that time, there may be enough missile-defense systems to make their nuclear threat seem fairly timid.

In the meantime, an Iranian regime may emerge that recognizes that expensive nuclear programs that waste national treasure and provide no added security are a poor bargain. Other nations, including Brazil, South Africa and South Korea managed to do the math right and scrap their nuclear ambitions. Perhaps Iran will as well.

The United States has made the Middle East safe for Iran. It also has the power to make the regime in Tehran feel a lot less secure if it pushes for the nuclear option. Now is the time for a little realistic thinking. Iran should immediately adopt the IAEA protocols and follow the spirit as well as the letter of these prohibitions against developing nuclear arms. Better yet, Tehran would be wise to abolish its nuclear program altogether -- and make Iran safe from itself.

James Jay Carafano is a senior research fellow for defense and homeland security at The Heritage Foundation.

http://www.iran-daneshjoo.org/cgi-bin/smccdinews/viewnews.cgi?category=5&id=1057600210

Iran's missiles and ideology an unhealthy mix

Jul. 7, 2003
By MATTHEW GUTMAN

After years of development, Iran on Monday confirmed that the Shihab-3 ballistic missile, capable of reaching Israel, has undergone its "final testing" and is likely to be integrated into that country's ballistic production line.

What appears to be the successful test of the Shihab-3 only confirms what Israeli intelligence officials have cried in increasingly strident language: Iran constitutes Israel's biggest strategic threat.

"This is very bad news for us," a senior IDF source told The Jerusalem Post Monday night. "It means that Iran now has the capability to deliver a warhead [to] virtually any location in Israel with a missile."

The source explained that missiles themselves are pose little strategic threat, but aside from its development of nuclear weapons, Iran has a potent arsenal of chemical and biological weapons, which could be loaded on the missiles.

While some Iranian opposition groups disputed the success of the latest Shihab trial—the first Shihab-3 was launched with minor success in July 1998—Israeli intelligence confirms that the rocket was launched and landed at a distance of 1300km, just as the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi indicated Monday.

The missile is partially based on North Korean's No Dong missile, a progeny of the Scud class missiles originally designed in the Soviet Union.

"Trust me," added the source, "it is no coincidence that the missile was designed for a range of 1300km—just enough distance to hit all of Israel."

In parallel to the missile development, the senior source said that "Iran is working as quickly as possible to finish developing a nuclear device." Current estimates in the IDF are that Iran might produce a functioning nuclear weapon in two to three years.

It is Iran's ideology, not its current capabilities, that disturbs the IDF intelligence community. "Syria still poses a greater military and strategic threat to us, but it is Iran's ideological imperative of destroying Israel which could be so unhealthy for us," the source said.

The Israeli intelligence community has also suffered from a difficulty in deciphering Iranian logic and propaganda. While they know whose finger rests on or near the "button," the IDF source said it is hard to gauge under what circumstances it could be pressed.

According to a diplomatic source in Jerusalem, the wildcard in Iran's nuclear gambit is Russia. On one hand the Eurasian giant placates the US by promising to curb its nuclear aid to Iran. On the other, said the diplomat, the Russians find it nearly impossible to forgo the billions of dollars it could pump into its economy should the deal be pushed through. Nor is it interested in losing the billions it has already invested in the project.

Israel, Foreign Ministry sources claim, is shackled in its ability to react and prefers to let the international community pressure the Iranians, diplomatically if possible, militarily if necessary, into quitting their nuclear program.

Israel considers the application of American and now British pressure on the Iranians to halt their advancement of military nuclear technology its ace in the hole. "We don't want to lead this fight," said the Foreign Ministry source.

The International Atomic Energy Association director general Muhammed El Bareidi is to chastise Iran for its nuclear duplicity in his trip there Wednesday.

However, international pressure has achieved only partial success in the past. When in the 1970s Jerusalem pressed Washington to ask Paris to downgrade the nuclear reactor France was building for Iraq's Saddam Hussein, the tyrant railed against them, and both the French and the US yielded. Saddam got his Osirak research reactor, in addition to 13kg of weapons-grade uranium, which can be used to build nuclear reactors. With the development of an Iraqi nuclear weapon only weeks away, then Prime Minister Menachem Begin gave the Air Force the nod to destroy the reactor on June 7 1981.

In both the Israeli and American security establishments, there are increasing murmurs of a similar strike in the future.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1057546653608

The Student Movement Coordinating Committee for Democracy in Iran has just launched its new website. For those who have been visting the old site, this has much more content, photos, links, etc.

They did a great job.

Check it out at:

http://www.daneshjoo.org/

DoctorZin

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail me”

Iran acts to stop anniversary student protest

Dan De Luce in Tehran
Tuesday July 8, 2003
The Guardian

The Iranian government is taking action to pre-empt possible unrest tonight on the eve of the anniversary of a crackdown on student protests by banning rallies and jamming satellite broadcasts from exiles in the US.
The interior ministry said it had refused all requests for rallies this week, when university students had hoped to commemorate the violent suppression of protests on July 9 1999.

Caught off guard by a wave of chaotic demonstrations three weeks ago, the authorities are taking no chances and trying to discourage young people from taking to the streets to denounce the theocracy.

The state prosecutor, who blamed the previous round of protests on "hooligans" and meddling foreign powers, said 4,000 people had been detained in recent weeks. Most student leaders have been detained without trial or formal indictment, reformist MPs say.

The authorities have closed some university halls of residence, postponed exams until the autumn, and renewed their efforts to seize satellite dishes and jam broadcasts by exiles in Los Angeles.

The satellite channels, which advocate the restoration of the monarchy, have been calling for more protests. People in Tehran say they have had difficulty receiving the broadcasts in recent days, apparently because of jamming.

In last month's demonstrations protesters fought back for the first time against the vigilantes who have put down previous protests by charging at crowds on motorbikes, wielding clubs and chains.

Teenagers and students threw stones at the paramilitary groups and even abducted three members.

Reformist MPs say that banning the rallies will only bring more unrest in future. "The system will face more social and political crises, because the democratic interpretation of Islam is gaining support among people," said Reza Yusefian, an MP and former student leader.

With plentiful oil income and no organised opposition, the clerical leadership is not immediately threatened by the protests. But reformers say the recent unrest exposed a public frustration which will fester unless the authorities accommodate the vast youth population.

Analysts say the clerics have been careful not to inflame public anger, playing down the protests and avoiding criticism of university students.

Some students say that with prominent activists behind bars the authorities may manage to prevent major street demonstrations on tomorrow's anniversary.

"Students are afraid of being detained by the intelligence ministry," said one, who asked not to be named. "That's why they prefer not to say anything and to keep silent, not to be recognised or singled out."

As the conservatives try to defuse tension among students and unemployed young people, Iran faces fresh international pressure this week because of its nuclear programme.

Mohammed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is due to arrive tomorrow to urge Tehran to agree to snap inspections of its nuclear facilities. The US and the EU suspect that Iran may be pursuing a clandestine weapons programme, an accusation Iran vehemently denies.

Although Tehran has so far refused to agree to more sweeping inspections, some experts and conservative MPs suggested for the first time yesterday that the country had nothing to fear from meeting the agency's demand by signing the "additional protocol" to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

·An editor of a financial daily has been detained for publishing a photo showing a smiling leader of Iran's armed opposition group, his wife said yesterday. Iraj Jamshidi, editor of the Asia daily, was detained on charges of propagating against the ruling establishment, said Saqi Bagherinia.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,12858,993700,00.html

This just in….

We are hearing reports that satellite TV broadcasts is being jammed in Europe, Britain, throughout the Middle East and even inside the USA. As I reported earlier, LA based Iranian broadcasters such as: NITV (National Iranian TV) and Azadi (which means Freedom) have had their broadcasts interrupted several times over the past few days. This requires jamming their “uplink” signals in the USA. I repeat, in the USA. The FCC is investigating.

The reports I am hearing is that the government believes a mobile jamming vehicle is moving to new locations, jams these broadcasts signals right here in the USA and shuts down its operation whenever they believe FCC investigators are getting close. This would be consistent with the regimes efforts to make deaf, dumb, and blind the Iranian people over the next few days.

I will keep you posted on these events.

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail me”

A bit of positive news...

We were told to expect martial law to be declared throughout the country of Iran 3 days before the July 9th protests. So far martial law has not be instituted, although there is a massive security presence in nearly all of Iran. We have also heard to expect the phone systems to be shut down. This has not happened yet. People still have access to phones, faxes, and the Internet (although now with certain sites being blocked).

While this does not mean things will get worse, it is a bit encouraging.

An observation….

If you are one of those that searches for news as I do, it is be impossible for you to miss the story that is discussed worldwide about the Iranian conjoined twins undergoing a separation operation.

I just wanted to make the observation that the timing of this operation was obviously planned by the regime of Iran to distract world attention from the events in Iran. While the surgeons had donated their expertise and time, the Iranian government announced yesterday that it is paying the $300,000 bill for the operation. This is the same regime that has so ignored their own poor that people are selling their body parts (kidneys, eyes, etc.) to provide food for their families. While I hope the best for these women undergoing surgery, make no mistake about it. This is an Iranian propaganda ploy to distract us. The timing is all too obvious.

I must also point out the near absolute silence of the events in Iran. No one is covering this story in the manner it deserves. Not even the more conservative cable networks such as Fox News. It is unbelievable to me.

Please email the media and especially Fox News what you hear here. I can only hope they are all sitting on the story in anticipation of the July 9th events.

DoctorZin

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail me”

This probably a stupid question but why do the lefties seem to want the Iranian students to just go away? They can't possibly like the mullahs.