German national daily Frankfurter Rundschau June 28, 2010
Taverny- It is a gathering that would not be possible in Tehran but has been made possible in Taverny: Tens of thousands of dissidents of the Iranian regime flooded to this small town last weekend. They have come from all over the world to gather in the northwestern suburb of Paris to express their rage toward the mullahs.
The chants of “Azadi, Azadi” (freedom) fill the streets. Buses move at a snail’s pace, parting the large crowds. Young people who over the past year participated in an inconclusive uprising now let out their sentiment.
Amir, a 26 year old pizza maker from Britain, wants to show the world that, “We are the alternative to the mullahs.” Sahar Sanai, 24 and a graduate of education from Frankfurt, has come “to remind everyone that there is a huge exiled community yearning for a free Iran.”
Shahin, a 22 year old student, who has come to Taverny from Paris by train, asks somewhat frustrated, “Why are we, an organization that seeks a secular and democratic government, not supported more by the West?”
He is referring to the organizers of the gathering: The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and its political wing the National Council of Resistance of Iran. In truth, the West supports the organization, which was also active against the former Shah’s dictatorship, with enormous doubt and delay. Previously, they were even labeled as terrorist and accused that their internal relations were seen as less democratic and more akin to a strict organization that has succumbed to a cult of personality.
The indisputable leader of the NCRI is Maryam Rajavi. Her face, which resembles Madonna, shines on balloons, placards and pins. Her supporters have left nothing to chance. The massive Taverny gathering moves to its climax quickly, bringing Rajavi onto the scene.
Doves are released into the sky. And, sounds of drums, big and small, start to reverberate. Thousands chant, “Bia, Bia,” [“come on, come on”], sarcastically inviting and challenging the mullahs to take on the power of the audience. Eventually, Rajavi appears as she is welcomed by loud cheers and sounds of horns. She promises democratic change in Iran and the downfall of turbaned fascists. She also honors the memory of martyrs who have lost their lives in the struggle for freedom.
Amir believes that there is no other way but that “struggle and organization be part of the resistance against the mullahs.” He asks, “In the end, how are we supposed to confront a regime whose intelligence services are after us all over the world?” Both the NCRI’s formidable organizational prowess and a common enemy have served to unite a formerly divided opposition.
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With a twinkle in his eyes, Amir heads toward the exit, saying, “Everyone witnessed that the most influential exiled opposition group is the NCRI.”
“There can be nothing done without us,” he adds.
