From: hernlem@chess.ncsu.EDU (Brad Hernlem)
Subject: Re: CBS News and Mojahedin
Reply-To: hernlem@chess.ncsu.EDU (Brad Hernlem)
Organization: North Carolina State University
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 18:06:12 GMT

In article <1992Dec28.215855.9787@ac.dal.ca>, 01saeid@ac.dal.ca writes:
> > 
> > If it is the MKO's objective to bring democracy to Iran then it need
> > only, and I mean ONLY, seek to gain legitimacy with the Iranian people.
> > The definition of a democracy is government by the people of said
> > country, NOT government by the people recognized by other nations. What
> > MKO is doing in the U.S. and other countries is NOT garnering
> > "legitimacy" for itself but rather gaining allies for the destruction of
> > Iran, in my opinion. The Iranian people must grant MKO legitimacy. If
> > they do not, then MKO can hardly claim a struggle for democracy.
> > 
> > Brad Hernlem (hernlem@chess.ncsu.EDU)
> =================================
> I don't think you are familiar with the type of government that is running
> the current affairs of iranian people. 
> If there was any chance for the people of iran to choose a democractically
> we were never having this discussion and this government would not have
> been in power new. Our discussion should appreciate the fact the current
> government of iran in no way acts according to the laws and regulations
> defined democratic by the chrater of rights of united nations and many
> other amendments with the scope of human rights. 
> So destoying all the political opposition in iran does not provide the
> chance foe the people of iran to choose anything legitimitally. There
> was no way that organizations such as MKO to have a voice with in the
> governments departments and as far as I am concerned this took away the
> chance for them to democratically display their intentions and policies.
> Now you are arguing that the people of iran should decide the future 
> of MKO. This is possible at this point and that is why many refugees 
> have been created with in the last ten years of revolution. Solely
> because nobody can voice their opinion.

The current regime is irrelevant to this matter. If MKO overthrows the
current government but does not enjoy the support of the people then
what has changed; a new government will be foisted onto the Iranian
people by outside forces. In my opinion, if change is to be made it
ought to be made from within. If you ordered to have a house built and
the contractor did not do everything just right would you have the house
razed and a new contractor appointed or would you try to fix the house
as it stands? MKO would like to bring down the house and repeat the cost
incurred previously. I think that much of MKO's support from abroad
comes from their desire to see the house taken down rather than in
seeing it made right.
 
> I am not a memberr of MKO and I am solely voicing my opinions out of
> my experiences and I would like to add that as long as any struggle 
> for democracy no matter how minor once recognized by any political leader
> is a victory for that movement. Especially such governments as US that can
> have profound effects on the voices of European Community and Asian
countries.
> So I must say that the big hit has been accomplished for the MKO to be
> recognized by the US as the ligilimate force of resistance.

So far the MKO has not been recognized by the US as anything but a
political organization. The State Department has a stated policy of
opposition to the MKO on the grounds of the terrorist tactics which it
employs and on the basis of its historic agression toward the US. Gore
has met with the MKO but, to my knowledge, the new administration has
made no comments directly related to the MKO. The much touted document
signed by members of Congress was a "free-lance" petition which was
conducted outside of official time. No mention of it is made anywhere in
the records of Congress and those who signed it did so as
representatives of their own opinion and not of the US government. My
point is that there is no official recognization of MKO by the US on any
level. Supporters of MKO may wish to dream otherwise but these are the
facts as they currently exist. Perhaps MKO will gain recognition from
the US in the future. It has not happened yet.
 
> Now every struggle for democracy must compromise before reaching to power.
> this is because the movement is in minority and has to mobilize any possible
> instrument in demonstrating to the opposed government that although it
> may not have the power with in the government but it is gaining popularity
> abroad.
> 
> Don't forget that governments around the world have been the key force
> for trying to restore democracy with in iran. If their voice was not of
                ^^^^^^^
> important I assure you that there was no minority alive in the iran.
> 
> saeid

Are you a monarchist? Are you perhaps referring to Iran ala Mossadegh?
Are you sure that MKO sees things this way?

Brad Hernlem (hernlem@chess.ncsu.EDU)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.iranian