[FREE IRAN Project] In The Spirit Of Cyrus The Great

[WSJ Outlook/Opinion]

Iran's Real Reformers:
January 15, 2004
The Wall Street Journal
Review & Outlook

Angered that 80 of their members have been disqualified from standing for re-election, the "reformists" were in their fourth day of a sit-in yesterday. Amid much international fanfare, this faction had gained control of the parliament in 1999, promising a degree of political liberalization. The promised liberalization never materialized and many of the disqualified candidates would likely have lost their seats in an election anyhow.

The fact that there have been no street protests in support of the "reformers" suggests much of the public has already lost faith in their ability to be agents of change. Ordinary Iranians won't risk the wrath of religious police just to ensure power for another faction. This loss of public support didn't deter the Iranian Guardian Council -- appointed by, and accountable only to, the Iranian Supreme theocrat, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- from seeking to curtail the parliamentarians' meager influence.

Beyond this scrum between competing factions, it's worth noting that the ground under the feet of Iran's ruling mullahs appears increasingly unstable. In June they faced student demonstrations demanding reforms to separate mosque and state, and in November the world discovered the mullahs had been lying about their nuclear program for 18 years. Last month the Bam earthquake took thousands of lives, and left the country's backwardness and the slowness of relief exposed for all to see.

Iran's under-30-year-olds -- who comprise a majority of the population -- have been leading the calls for a more liberal Muslim society. These are Iran's real reformers. But there is as yet no sign that their voices are being heard.

[Spenta]

Leave it to the WSJ to get it right as usual. While the Economist and the Washington Post are missing the facts, the WSJ lays it on straight as always! Kudos to the WSJ!

[TeachESL]

[quote]

Iran's under-30-year-olds -- who comprise a majority of the population -- have been leading the calls for a more liberal Muslim society. These are Iran's real reformers. But there is as yet no sign that their voices are being heard. [/quote]


Why aren't the young people's voices being heard?

[salinescape]

[TeachESL]

Where are these Iranian Freedom Fighters? There are millions of students and others against the regime in Iran. Why can't they all go to Tehran??? How can the army do anything against hundreds of thousands/millions of people?? And what's happening in Bam?

[Gil]

That's what I'm saying - 100 men with guns can't stop 1 000 000 men with Truth.
_________________
We Won't Get Fooled Again
"Revolution in a Bottle"

[samesong]

[TeachESL]

The special program from Iranian tv in Los Angeles is broadcasting now! Of course, I don't understand a word.

[Saman]

[TeachESL]

You can call them in Los Angeles at 818-456-5977.