The writer: And so I go back to the task of translating the debates between the two main men of the Iranian Election as there is very little else I CAN do. However, as I listen and write, I can not help but feel rage at the lies; the open face lies that both candidate utter with streight faces. The main topic of their debate so far seems to hinge on "the Iranian people's dignity". Do I need to spell out the irony of that concern?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK86GWPdnvU

(continued from 3/9) ... the resolutions by the general assembly is far more important than those of the security council. Security council is a political entity so what they put forward has no legal premises.  But general assembly’s resolutions are legally binding.  It binds us to do certain things.

The issues raised by the Atomic Agency was outlined in six chapters which were dealt with during the time of this office and we have an official letter from them explaining that our major issues have been resolved. In the middle of all this the Americans started causing trouble but we do not accept their query as legitimate.

What happened in Sa’dAbad, in Brussels, in Paris Mr.Moussavi? Today we have nuclear capabilities! There was so much begging for three centrifuges, now we have thousands in operation. After all the cooperation with Afghanistan and nuclear issues, that was when Mr. Bush called Iran part of “Axis of Evil”. I am surprised; that did not bring shame to Iran? Bush threatened Iran with military action.  But now what? That same Mr. Bush at the end of his term of office officially announced: “we are not after destroying Iran.” And Mr. Obama openly declared the same thing.

For 27 years, during your reign, the time of Mr. Hashemi, and Mr. Khatami, US has been after regime change. Today that has changed. Which foreign policy has brought us success and which has brought us shame? Which foreign policy has saved us our independence and which has given extra ordinary advantages with no results?

For 15 years the European Union has been trying to have a dialogue of criticism. Every day they would bring out a resolution, place it on the table; that Iran does not follow the principals of human rights. I only asked a couple of questions about Holocaust.  With these two questions all the issues with human rights are now under microscope. They are yelling and screaming! I am surprised! The Israelis cry out, the Europeans cry out and now some friends also cry out that Iran has lost face.

How did Iran lose face? We shouldn’t just sit back and wait for the enemy to come to our house, and then deal with him. Today the threat is completely gone. Of course we owe all these to the resilience and sacrifices of our great people and the dear supreme leader.

I am surprised. Mr. Moussavi should take a trip abroad and see how the leaders and nations of other countries will receive him. During his term, how many trips abroad did he take? Was Iran shamed-faced then? I don’t want to say that we were, even then we were loved but not in the eyes of the great powers.

If your vision Mr. Moussavi is to make sure a few great powers should be pleased, that is against the path of Imam Khomein, against the logic of Iran and against our independence. But if not, we plan to communicate and connect with the nations of each country, then in the last four years, more than 60 heads of states have traveled to Iran. In no other term of office this has been repeated. Are we not loved?

Everybody came and supported Iran. 118 members of nuclear nonproliferation group supported us.

(The host mentions the time is up – Admadinejad asks to speak more and his time should be shortened later).

Now Mr. Moussavi, I like to tell you, I like you but you are telling me you are worried.  I like to ask you a question. During the term of Mr. Hashami, when inflation was at 49.5%, when our foreign debt was at 49 billion dollars, when massive social crisis was over running over many of our major cities, when many were killed, you didn’t feel worried then? When sanctions were put in place, when Mr. Clinton put 20 million dollar cap on investment, that any American company, which would sign an oil contract with Iran worth more than 20 million dollars, would be sanctioned, when subsequently the inflation rate shot up to 49.5%. You were notworried then.

When in 18^th of Tir  the opposition started trouble and tried to take over Tehran, and to move towards the centre of government, when they published official notices and were also supported by those abroad, as they put it, they were trying to have a "Velvet Revolution", you were not worried then? When in the 6^th session of the parliament, they sat in protest; from there they contacted the US senate to ask for help, were you not worried about the country?

(The host gives another warning, Ahmadinejad again suggests time be taken from his other time. The host tries to explain that the debate needs to go back and forth as a conversation but Ahmadinejad speaks over him and continues.)

Were you not worried then? Today you say why are we talking about Holocaust. I ask you, why shouldn’t we talk about Holocaust?  Should we wait for the European nations to come and talk to us about our human rights? Or it is us that should go to them and tell them: “you have no freedom, you are bullying and shutting up nations” The foreign policy of this government is born from the depth of our people, depth of the path of Imam [Khomeini] and that of pride and honor.

You can see, the world is backing Iran. How did they back off? Today the nuclear issue has sat back ten places in importance in the world.  As opposed to a while back when they warned us about crossing the red line drawn by the Security Council. Well we did cross that line and what did the Security Council do? They brought down sanctions? What CAN they do now?

How can you oppose the bullies with soft tactics? In this same Tehran, Mr. Moussavi, they wrote an article: “The era of Imam [Khomeini] has passed. But you held your silence. The government of that term supported that writer. You chose to be silent and today you claim that the path of Imam has been diverted and you are worried.

I like you very much but I cannot accept the baseless accusations that are made against an entire nation, the insults that are thrown at an entire nation.

(The host offers his thanks and passes the forum back to Moussavi)

Moussavi: The path of Emam [late Khomeini] was brought up; I will share a story about him. There was a time when Israel attacked south of Lebanon. Everyone in our country came to the consensus that we should send troops and help to remove Israelis from Lebanon and fight along side the Lebanese.  There was complete consensus.  Martyr Hemmati was appointed to lead the troops. And early envoys were also sent to help figure out where our troops were to settle and so on.

The night before where the troops were to be sent there  was a gathering in which various leaders were there [words are unclear] along with Martyr Hemmati.  Mr [unclear name] arrived and quoted Emam [Khomeini] as saying: “ The path to the Holy Land is through Karbala*.” Meaning, focus back on your own war, what do you want with Lebanon that you need to send troops there?  “The path to the Holy Land is through Karbala.”

We have the same debate with the regime. In order to be in accordance with the international voice and still maintain independence of opinion and voice, we believe when it comes to Isreal, we should say: that all the Palestinians, who live in that country and those who have immigrated abroad, they should all gather, each cast one vote along with the Jews and the Christians and they can then decide their own fate.  This is in complete accordance with the voices of the international community. In other cases this approach has worked. In cases where a country has been taken over by another, this approach has been done and the nature of their government then changed completely ... (contin. in 5/9)

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* Karbala being the battle and burial site of Imam Hussein holds a special significance to the devout Shai sect of Islam. Khomeini often was quoted as saying that battle between Iran and Iraq will not be over till Iranians are able to "liberate" Karbala, which is located in Iraq. It is also important to note that majority of Moslems in Iraq are Sunni who hold no such significance to the site. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TgM0F-85qs 

The girl in the video is scared and crying - hysterically filming and sobbing repeating again and again that "they are going into peoples home". Clearly it is an unbelievable act, as an Iranian's home is their sanctuary and sacred. She is also scared that they will hear them and shoot them but she bravely continues to work the camera. 

This video in particular has been hunting me now for days as its four days old at least.  The report in CNN talks about these invasions and a few have been recorded, this one being one of the most clear ones I have come across.

A few videos I had not seen myself. They seem to be recent.

http://aryamehr11.blogspot.com/

http://www.rottengods.com/2009_06_01_archive.html 

I wonder if they will ever have the audacity to openly defend palestinians. How can you beat your own brother in your own backyard and then talk of human rights in another country?  

A beautiful and heart breaking article, on basically: "what now." 

http://www.sidewalklyrics.com/?p=797

While there please take a moment to scan through all the articles, each more well written and relevant than the next. My compliments to the Pedestrian for keeping such a fantastic blog.

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The truth of the matter is, the reason that Pedestrian’s writing has touched me is I have always wondered about the generation that was OF the IRI. The generation that was born after the regime came to power; the ones who live there now still. The Average 2- something who attends university, is not particularly wealthy or poor and lives in relative stability albeit the social and economical issues. I have found many weblogs over the last 6 years but none that have been as clear in their words, in English, and so well thought out and above all so very honest.

Pedestrian’s observations on inaccuracies and distance between those living inside and those now abroad for many years has always rang true with me as well. So much so that I have said again and again, both here and to anyone who has been patient enough to bear with me. That, I have no right to judge. I have left. Iran no longer is mine. All I can do is watch, try to educate others and more than anyone myself. To just try to observe and understand what it means to only know the current regime your whole life.  

In the recent few years I have also witnessed a trend among the twenty-somethings that have come from Iran recently to live or visit abroad. It used to be that you could clearly tell which "side" was an Iranian in; either clad in the latest fashions, hair and make up fully complete and laced with torrent of heavy clone and perfume which spelled: independent wealthy regime haters. And then there were the ones who kept up with head scarves, men still wore their unshaven looks and simple shirts and bad hygiene habits which spelled: government funded regime supporters.

No more. It has come to my attention that more and more I see a new pattern. Women dressed quite well in fitted clothing or the "unacceptable" tight fitting mantous that would bring down the moral police on them had they been in Iran. They look to be in their early twenties and all wear headscarves as well. Often they are also in company of men who are just as well dressed, maybe not over the top but smelling clean and looking quite presentable. This I find extremely confusing. It used to be, that if you broke the law in Iran and did not adhere to the accepted dress code then you were basically against the government, and hejab and could not WAIT to get rid of it. The minute the plane would leave the Iranian air space on a plane for example, headscarves would disappear and cleavage would be the order of the day. Then why on earth would someone still choose to dress in the "IRI uniform" in an environment where you don't have to any more when clearly you are not of the regime .... or are you?! Perhaps its not as clear cut as before anymore.

Pedestrian writes a hunting sentence that has stayed with me: " DespiteWestern media claims, the IRI has always been legitimate in the eyes of her population".  If this is indeed true, then my gut feeling, what has been gnawing at me now for years is, that this fact is very much the truth of today. That the current twenty-something year old does not want a regime change, they want reform. But something HAS changed: 

"A lot of us view this establishment very differently now. And we are NOT only the Westernized students living abroad, or the residents of North Tehran. Young or old,Tehrani [a person who lives in Tehran the capital] or Shahrestani [from other cities or rural areas], we view this system, this man [supremeleader, Khamenei], with different eyes. The Islamic Republic will continue to be backed by popular support in the face of foreign adversary, but inside, it will never feel the same again."

In the next few days I will continue with my efforts at translating the debate between Moussavi and Ahmadinejad, in the hope that shedding light on both candidate will allow for a deeper understanding of who and what they represent.

My sense of feeling powerless is now at its peak.This is all I CAN do. I hope others will find it as insightful as I do. 

 

* I will translate some eye witness accounts soon. In the meantime have a read here:

http://opiumandsaffron.blogspot.com/

*Also a videio on YouTube on today's demonstrations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5vth8DAc-k&feature=related

*There have been reports that demonstrations and clashes are happening but most are scattered as people are not able to meet up with each other to form large groups.

More details on events leading to murder and burial of Neda Agha Soultan has emerged today (translated from Farsi):

http://www.iranianuk.com/article.php?id=38791

Neda Agha Soultan, the 27 year old philosophy student died by bullet wounds of Basiji group on June 20th, 2009 during demonstrations conducted by people against the government. A video of her dying on camera shocked many in International media.

On June 20th, along with her philosophy professor and some of her classmates she attended the demonstrations. She was speaking on her mobile phone, and for a few minutes she was separated from other demonstrators. At that time two plain clothed Basiji's with a hand held colt aim a bullet at her heart. She dies in the arms of her teacher.

Next day at noon (June 21st), the day after her martyrdom, her body was delivered back to her family with the condition of anonymous and speedy burial in Behesht-e-Zahra (the main cemetery in Tehran). Her burials took place under the strictest of security measures and as fast as possible. Her memorial service was to happen tomorrow (June 22nd) at a mosque in Tehran but came the words from the mosque that service has been canceled. Also other mosques in Tehran have been ordered not to hold a memorial service for her.  

* A report from CNN by Christian Amanpour in English showing footage of the main march today (Saturday June 20th).

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/20/iran.election/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Other videos are linked on the right hand side which also include: an inside view of the scattered protests the Amanpour refers to in the above commentary; the report on use of twitter for hints; locations of next protests and information on the tragic death of Neda; the images of the riot police attacking the protesters; video shot at night, of people shouting on rooftops "Allahu Akbar" (god is great) and the damages left behind once night has settled in. The footage is shot by a driver driving through the streets of Tehran.

* Bellow is the link showing the video of the girl (Neda Agha Soultan) who was shot to death in Tehran - reportedly 27 year old philosophy student (warning, video is not censored and is very graphic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAcMCSrFNXg

*A slide show of photographs, accompanied by music from an Iranian underground rappist: erfan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuodcrgy8K4&feature=player_embedded

* Bellow is a string of latest videos.

http://news.gooya.com/didaniha/archives/2009/06/089625.php

 - First is a video from several protesters shot down in Isfanhan (city in central Iran) - (warning, extremely graphic) 

 - Second videos show massive groups of demonstrators chanting: "death to dictator", "with assistance from God victory is immediate, death to the government that lies to the people"

- Third video shows a group that is looking for a knife as well as matches to set a turned over car on fire

- Fourth video shows demonstrators calling others to come forward, telling them to not be scared, to hold their ground.

- Fifth video shows a group of demonstrators (including many women) who chant "cannons, tanks, basiji are not affective anymore" and eventually a woman leads the group into the chant of "death to dictator".

- Eight video shows an older man beaten on his head. He is comforted by being told: "this is done only to cause fear. Go home now. its ok."

- Tenth (very grainy and sideways) video shows two people having found an empty canister of tear gas and are trying to find out where it has been manufactured: "Is it made in US? Is it made in Isreal?"

 - Last video is taken from a balcony from the clashes bellow. The women talk about the bravery of the demonstrators, they wish them strength and wonder if they should chant "Allaho Akbar". They also comment on how the battle is fought Palestinian style with stones. They observe that the authorities are not armed by guns and only carry batons. They begin to cheer and shout down calls of "well done!" as the police is forced to pull back. At the every end the video is abruptly ended as a man in the background warns them that they are being filmed themselves.
 

* Also, there are reports that those who go to the hospital from their injuries sustained during demonstrations are arrested in hospitals.

* A video of the demonstrators being beaten:

http://news.gooya.com/didaniha/archives/2009/06/089618.php

Translation of some of the words before the sound is cut off: "dont run, dont beat the old woman, dont hit peoples mothers and sisters, bastards (among many other insults), agents of Isreal, go back to your caves, etc."

*  A video showing the alleged basiji house that was put on fire today (Saturday June20th - Shooters can be clearly seen half way in the video as well as their rapid gun fire that can be heard.

 http://news.gooya.com/didaniha/archives/2009/06/089590.php

*A series of photgraphs taken by Times.

http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/28782/eyewitness-from-tehrans-streets

* a demonstration in Rasht (city in northern Iran by the Caspian sea) shows plain clothed agents run into the crowd and beat up a girl.

http://www.iranianuk.com/article.php?id=38661