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Los Angeles
April 25, 2005
THE IRANIAN AMERICAN JEWISH FEDERATION
VOICES ITS STRONG SUPPORT FOR CONGRESS' INITIATIVES
HR 282 AND S 333
The Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF), today voiced itsstrong support for HR 282 authored by Congresswoman IleanaRos-Lehtinen, and S 333 authored by Senator Rick Santorum.
"We have recently witnessed a statement issued by a small groupwhich appears to be sympathetic to at least some elements of theIslamic Republic's foreign policy goals, falsely implying that theIranian American community opposes these initiatives by anoverwhelming majority" said Elias Eshaghian, Chairman of the Board ofthe IAJF.
"Accordingly, the IAJF felt that it was necessary to make itclear that not only does NIAC [National Iranian AmericanCouncil] not represent the views of our community, but thatindeed the IAJF strongly supports both of these initiatives anddeeply appreciates the support of their authors and co-signers in theU.S. Congress."
Mr. Eshaghian added that: "The policy of the IAJF isrooted in support for the wishes of the majority of the Iranianpeople. In this respect we are in full agreement with the President'spolicy of standing with the People of Iran and we support allinitiatives that would be conducive to free expression of opinion bythose people."
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Contact: Sam Kermanian
Secretary General
Iranian American Jewish Federation
(323) 654-4700
April 22, 2005
On February 4th, 2005, the State Departmentagain reiterated that the United
States government does not have a policy ofregime change in occupied Iran. One
can hardly be shocked; the State Department isthe very same American government
institution that granted Mohsen Sazegara, thefounder of the Islamic Republics
Revolutionary Guard, a visa to visit the UnitedStates.
While a small minority have voiced theirconcern regarding the American
governments possible adoption of peacefuloverthrow of the theocracy, very few
are speaking out about the real danger, namelywhat devastating impact
normalization of ties between the IslamicRepublic and United States would have
on occupied Iran, American credibility andregional stability.
Many Iranians living around the world recognizewhat a great threat restored
relations between the theocracy and the UnitedStates poses. Point in fact: a
sample of 500 Iranians in the United Statesfound that 485 or 97% oppose the idea
of restored relations.
The American president has declared that thestated policy of the United States
government is to promote democracy around theworld, specifically in the Middle
East. Though the State Department may notfathom it, the fact is that the
establishment of democracy in Iran translatesto the overthrow of the theocracy.
Simply put: if you support democracy in Iran,you support regime change.
Normalization of ties between the occupyingclerical regime and America is
tantamount to the same policy that led to theoverthrow of Irans national hero,
Dr. Mossadegh, and saw him replaced with themonarchy in 1953. The peoples
revolution of 1978, prior to being hijacked byclerics, saw Iranians revolt
against a government that was utterly loathed,yet supported by the United States
government. Iranians now have favorable viewstowards the United States since it
has stood firm against the theocracy. Does theUS want to see a repeat of 1978 by
supporting another regime Iranians hate?
The Islamic Republic and its lobbyists inthe United States would like the world
to believe that restored relations will bebeneficial to Iranians. They falsely
argue that increased trade will benefitIranians, and that the democratic
movement will be able to progress in a morerapid fashion. This ridiculous
argument can be readily defeated by simplylooking at what effects normalization
has had between Europe and the IslamicRepublic. While trade between the clerics
and the EU continues to increase, repressionand economic hardships have also
progressively gotten much worse. The Iranianmiddleclass has been decimated to a
point where one is either somehow connectedwith the ruling clergy and enjoys a
comfortable living, or be like the other ninetypercent of Iranians that work two
or three jobs just to make ends meet. TheIslamic Republic no longer has to mask
its aggression against Iranians, having acheerleader by the name of the EU ready
to prevent any negative impact on thetheocracy.
Peaceful means to weaken the theocracy, such assanctions, simply cannot work
effectively when practically every country isdoing business with the clerics.
The world needs to realize that an independent,secular republican Iran is the
best way to ensure peace and regionalstability. Moreover, if the international
community seeks to preserve their respectivenational interest then they must
take concrete steeps to support Iranianaspiration for freedom.
Long Live Iran
Compiled by the Foreign Policy Council of the Marze Por GoharParty
http://www.marzeporgohar.org/index.php?l=1&cat=17&scat=31&artid=560