Iranian Student Movement: Who's behind the cards?

[democratic]

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=3866

During the latest wave of public protests that swept across Iran in June 03, four thousand protestors have been arrested. The Islamic government claims that a great majority of the protestors are "undesirable", "anti revolutionary" elements that are being supported by foreign powers specially the United States. However, it is abundantly clear to the people I have spoken to that the reason for dissatisfaction with the Islamic regime is simply their record of governance during the past 25 years. And the undemocratic ways that unwanted, and in many cases publicly know frauds, are placed in charge of critical government posts. Many Iranian courts are currently attending to numerous such cases, which are often finally abandoned because of the political influence of high-ranking government officials who themselves have benefited from the circumstances.


At present, hunger strikes and student sit-ins continue across many universities in Iran (University of Isfahan, University of Mashhsd, Shiraz University, and Alameh-Tabatabaee University in Tehran). Student protestors demand the release of their fellow student detainees. The Islamic government continues to deny that the great majority of those who were arrested are in fact university students. The regime has gone a step further and announced that no permits will be issued for demonstrations or peaceful public protest to commemorate July 9th (the National Day of Protest and Solidarity with University students and their demands). Everyone I have spoken to is appalled at this shameless gesture of the Islamic regime, which has triggered terrible additional anger in the public.

At a time like this, the opposition groups (Student organizations, Women's groups, and the nationalist religious groups) are trying to form a coalition, plan a strategy, in an attempt to direct people's boiling anger towards constructive and useful political ends. However, it is unfortunate to say that after at least two months of continuous struggle to articulate demands nothing has transpired yet. Four days is left to the national day of protest and the various opposition groups continue their silence on a collective course of action to be taken by the frustrated public. A contemporary Iranian writer and columnist had a modest suggestion. He said, "why not call for a public referendum asking the people whether or not they sill stand behind the old Islamic Constitution?" Practically everyone in Iran knows that the answer will be "No" to the Islamic constitution and "Yes" to immediate elections of representatives to start writing the new constitution.

[Maple]

1. This 'rebellion'

has been going on for years now.

The current leader was elected by them to change things.

He's just not able to do it fast enough to suit them.

Bush saying what he did enabled the Iranian govt to claim they are outside subversives...and take a much harder line with them.

[Gimel]

2. Is that helpful?

Will taking a hard line with protesters accomplish anything? It seems that as usual, Bush's comments have produced the undesirable counter-effect.