Shahin Fatemi: "Resolution in U.S. Congress Expresses True Iranian Sentiments"
 

http://www.iranvajahan.net/cgi-bin/news_en.pl?l=en&y=2002&m=3&d=27&a=1

March 26, 2002
Iran va Jahan
By Shaheen Fatemi

Last week Congressman Gutkneck introduced a historic resolution about Iran in the U. S. Congress. This resolution is intended to express

".....the sense of the Congress in support of the people of Iran and their legitimate quest for freedom, economic opportunity, and friendship with the people of the United States..." It reads as follows:

Whereas the first day of spring, celebrated by millions worldwide as Nowruz, the Persian (Iranian) New Year, symbolizes renewal, birth, and new beginnings;

Whereas the American people respect the Iranian people and value the contribution that Iran's culture has made to world civilization over three millennia;

Whereas the United States recognizes the legitimate aspiration of the Iranian people for democracy, civil, political, and religious rights, and the rule of law;

Whereas there exists a broad-based movement and desire for political change in Iran that represents all sectors of Iranian society, including youth, women, students, military personnel, and religious figures, and that is pro-democratic, seeking freedom and economic opportunity;

Whereas the Iranian people have increasingly expressed frustration at the slow pace of reform, while still pursuing nonviolent change in their society;

Whereas in four consecutive elections, the Iranian people have opted for nonviolent reform;

Whereas following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, thousands of Iranians filled the streets spontaneously and in solidarity with the United States and the victims of the terrorist attacks; and

Whereas the people of Iran deserve the support of the American people: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress:

(1) expresses its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the courageous people of Iran for their brave expressions of support following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States;

(2) recognizes and supports the people of Iran in their daily struggle for democracy, reform, human rights, economic prosperity, and the rule of law;

(3) makes a clear distinction between the peace-loving people of Iran, endowed with a rich culture and history, and the unelected officials of Iran; and

(4) urges the President of the United States?

(A) to engage with and support the people of Iran and their legitimate aspiration for freedom and democracy;

(B) to continue to pursue areas of common interest with the people of Iran while taking an uncompromising stance on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and the human rights of Iranian citizens; and

(C) to use all available diplomatic means to support the Iranian people's demand for an immediate release of all political prisoners and for removal of the ban on freedom of the press."

When president George W. Bush, in his State of the Union address to the Joint Session of the Congress, for the first time made a clear distinction between the 'people' of Iran and the 'government' of the IRI' many Iranians for the first time saw an indication of a more clear thinking among the American policy makers. However, in this current resolution this particularly important point gets special attention in article (3) of the operative clause: ".....makes a clear distinction between the peace-loving people of Iran, endowed with a rich culture and history, and the unelected officials of Iran..." The importance of this distinction can not be over-emphasized because of at least two main reasons. By making this distinction, everyone realizes that when IRI is branded as a member of the "Axis of Evil," it is the current government of the country and not its people and citizens. This clarification is essential for the Iranian people as well as the rest of the world. The secondary importance of making this careful distinction relates to millions of Iranians who live and travel to the United States and need to deal with the American people on a daily basis. Clarification of this point makes it clear to the American people that the Iranian nation as whole, including the expatriate population, are themselves victims of this barbaric regime and in no way approve its actions.

With sufficient support and encouragement from the Iranians in America and their friends, hopefully this resolution will soon gain full approval by the House and the Senate and will make a guiding contribution to the U.S. policy toward Iran. While overt and covert agents of the IRI in America are spending hundreds of millions of dollars for lobbying and other activities for concealing the true nature of the ruling clergy in Teheran and their Taleban-like regime, the victimized population inside the country has no other way to make its voices heard than those of us who live in the freedom abroad. If we fail to make their voices heard by supporting initiatives such as this resolution, we have failed our country and our compatriots in their struggle for freedom and dignity.

Iran va Jahan