Iran

I had lunch this week with a labor union organizer from Iran seeking support for the rights of workers in Iran. One of his biggest fears was that the implementation of additional sanctions would serve the interest of Iranian leadership making the case for foreign intervention as the reason for solidarity across all sectors in Iran. While it may appear that factions in Iran are sharp and irreconciliable there is a clear warning that movements in the direction of reform, and the well-being of the Iranian public, would be severely affected by new sanctions. Jim Fine's assessment below extends that analysis and provides background we should have in hand on the state of the sanctions legislation in Congress.  Mark C. Johnson

From Jim Fine at FCNL

Iran is experiencing a very important and delicate time in its modern history.  These days there are hot conversations among Iranians, both inside the country and in the diaspora as well as among many who are interested in the future of the Middle East.  There are many arguments in trying to figure out that among different groups and players within the Iranian political theater who is right and who is wrong?  Which one, the “Greens” or the government is betraying the most important elements of the Revolution of 1979?

The three parts slogans, which became three ideological pillars of the Revolution has been Independence, Freedom and Islamic Republic.  31 years ago these three slogans was repeated over and over from variety of groups within the Iranian political spectrums.

This morning following our Gaza Freedom March planning meeting, we headed to Tahrir Square in Cairo.

We waited for the sign of a flag waving to let us know that it was time to get together on the right side of the square. A big crowd was already there. Mark Johnson [executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation] and I joined the crowd. I took my sign of “Free Gaza” out and started to chant “Free, Free, Gaza.” Then suddenly I noticed that the Egyptian police were attacking us. This was my experience:

Mark Johnson and I arrived in Cairo late last night.  My first impression of Cairo: polluted!

This morning we got together with all the members of Gaza Freedom March in three different hotels. We decided to go to The Sun Hotel. Everyone was there; Father Louie Vitale, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Medea Benjamin, and most of the people who took the Fellowship of Reconciliation's civilian diplomacy delegations to Iran in the past several years. It was very good to be with all these wonderful colleagues and passionate people. 

There are many different faces and accents, there are groups from Japan, Italy, Spain, the Philippines, Mali, Turkey, England, France, and many others: all together almost 1,400 people from 42 different countries, to show their solidarity with our brothers and sister in Gaza. 

Yes, that's right the Impossible has happened.   Where were you 20 years ago today?  In Germany and throughout Europe and North America, the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has been celebrated today.

On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill used the phrase the "Iron Curtain" in a speech in Westminster College in Fulton, MO.  That reference to the social, political and economic division of Europe became symbolized by the Berlin Wall.  The date of Churchill's speech is often cited as the start of the Cold War.  More than a continent was divided.  With the division of Europe and the Cold War, a mindset was developed.  That mindset was a lens through which the world would be seen and understood by millions.  What was possible was framed by that mindset.

For many years, peace activists engaged with Iran-U.S. relations worked hard to create an atmosphere for direct dialogue between the two counties. Their activities have had a wide range of aspects known as "track two" diplomacy; these people-to-people connections have led toward writing and talking to the U.S. Congress to encourage the members of the Senate and House to press for direct talks with Iran.

In this historical moment when Iran is under international pressure for its nuclear program, isn’t it best to be united as Iranians for Iran. 

Wouldn't be better, regardless of whom we support; Principlist or Reformist, agree on one thing and that is the fact that Iran needs to be united.  But what the Iranian authorities are doing these days does not show their desire for unity. 

The sham courts, “confessions”, and recently long sentences for the political prisoners, add to these putting on trial many ofthe well respected ideologues and even some of the most politically prominent people of Iran.  These are the people who are well known and are among thetop former officials of the country.  

 On the first of October, there was a meeting here in Geneva of diplomats from Iran along with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council— China, Russia, the USA, France, Britain — and Germany which has been involved with negotiations on the nuclear program of Iran — and the Foreign Affairs representative of the European Union. A follow up meeting is planned for the end of October.            

"Burning Bush" is a beautiful poem by Hajj Muhammad Legenhausen the author of "Islam and Religious Pluralism" (al-Hoda, 1999) who teaches philosophy in Qom, Iran.

Burning Bush

Whoever gazes in the sky