OfficialWire News Bureau – By Sammer Asar 05 September 2011
On Saturday, September 3rd, for the third consecutive Saturday, people of Urumieh staged protests. An ecological disaster protest, turned against the clerical regime. Clashes spread very quickly to neighbouring villages, engaging 80 percent of Tehran’s anti-riot, security, intelligence, plainclothes and the Basij resources. At the end of the day, protesters were still not quelled as Tehran expected and the merchants’ guild has become more resolved to expand strikes. A sudden explosion of wrath has exhausted Tehran’s suppressive machinery.
A jolt of horror displayed by various Imams during last Friday prayers point the “axis of evil” yet on the ‘Monafeghin’ , mainly applied to the MEK/PMOI as the engine behind these revolts.
Since 2009, MEK supporters and families members have faced a wave of arrests and detentions. According to Amnesty International most of those enchained are in tormenting conditions.
The mediocratic regime has long used its media –under the control of Revolutionary Guards hierarchy, at the forefront of a vociferous propaganda war during the past 30 years to smear the Mujahedin (Monafeghin). Books, magazines, monthlies and even video games are target-shooting the Mojahedin in a smearing campaign that has cost the Ayatollahs millions. Children, as young as 7 are taught to start the day by fouling the “Monafeghin” ( MEK) as well as the US and Israel in their morning chants. Any tendency to criticise the Supreme leader (Vali Faghih) would be labelled as ‘double standard’ with affiliation to the Monafeghin.
Rahim Mashaie, Iranian president’s close advisor, has been targeted in a campaign lead by the Supreme leader, as part of a “a current of deviation” , enticed by the “Monafeghin”(MEK).
The spike in rhetoric of Tehrans’ huge propaganda machinery has bitterly inversed effects; bolstering the MEK, its role and importance in the coming events.
For Bassiji pundits working around the clock in Capitol Hill to influence the Whitehouse in its decision to delist the movement, the introverted effect of activities would be more than expected.
Recently, Governor Howard Dean has criticised unethical journalism used in ‘Salon’ as to distract support from the group in Washington. A similar tactic was used by the Nazi propaganda machinery, which paid idle writers in France to demonise dissident figures and De Gaulle.
The “War of words” is of no relevance for the Iranian protester on the streets of Orumieh.
Tempers are getting frayed in Iran.
Where tear gas, bullets and batons are the only reaction to public anger for policy failure to preserve a natural lake, fictitious arguments such as those levered at top gear by NIAC, Bob Nay, Daniel Larison, Elizabeth Rubin and a couple of other apologists, to ‘whitewash’ regime atrocities only points to the crucial role of the MEK(PMOI-Mujahedin e Khalq) in changing the situation in Iran.
Debates and dissuasions are only laxity. They have betrayed the people.
The Green movement wilted, dried and shriveled in the heat of the bloody protests back in 2009 as their leaders betrayed the hope and sacrifice entrusted on their promise to bring about change, once they caved in and declared their support for the “vali Faghih”- supreme leader.
A note by a source in Orumieh , depicts the basic truth : Policy is made on the streets of Iran, by the Iranian people and their choice for change and not by pundits and apologists.
“I took the time to ask participants their political tendencies. It seemed an impossible task for the plain reason that people did not trust each other. In a corner of a crosslink leading to “Sa at” square, where protesters were fighting Bassiji elements, I managed a short conversation with a young protester. He had worn out blue jeans and a medical mask that almost covers his nose until under the eyes
“So where is the ‘green sea ‘now?” I asked referring to Mr.Moussavi’s claimed green movement.
The young man answers back panting : “what do you expect?… On the sofas, watching a film or somewhere in the internet clapping for us.” The man who had a couple of stones stacked in a bagged sat on the side of the pavement said: “We are not going to wait for anyone. Anyone who is with us will be on the streets or in prisons. We have no room for pretence. Our families are hungry. We do not have any more pride to face them empty handed. This government, Green or any other colour will go, and we will organise, even if they don’t want it. ”
“We need help. We have to be organised?” I said.
“We need mobilisation,” said the young man. “Those who sit in high places and think they can interfere with our future are wrong. There are two parties in Iran; The Islamic Republic regime and the Mujahedin (MEK). Any other who claims, is just claiming. These two are the only ones that have the organisation. Helping the present government is like giving dead corps oxygen! They should leave us alone. If they did, we would do better than the Egyptians and all the rest. What have we done wrong? All we want is what they already have.”
The message from Orumieh ended in three words:
“Organisation, Democracy , Freedom”
“The west and the white house are badly misguided. They miss the mark. Obama has to side with us. The wave is on our side.”
Any successful transition away from the current Islamic regime will require the empowerment of local populations. MEK’s broad tolerance and commitment to democracy, free and fair elections and its innate democratic nature, encapsulating women, giving the highest attention to freedom of thought and choice, would contribute to this goal.
Sammer Asar is a journalist, political analyst and film editor
