Speech
before the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on November 15, 2001:
H.M.
Reza Pahlavi of Iran
"The Future of Iran and its Relations with the West"
It is remarkable
how a few turns of events can leave such profound impressions on our outlook on
the future. Just few days ago, the world was watching with great anxiety the
developments unfolding in my part of the world. We were all considering with
great unease the prospects of a long drawn out quagmire extending the protracted
cycle of misery and terror throughout the Near East.
The breaking news
and developments of the last 48 hours however, appear to suggest we may be well
on our way in bringing some sanity to an environment that has long lost its
memory of peace, stability, kindness, tolerance and harmony.
History will
undoubtedly write plenty on how and why our civilization reached this point of
incivility. Today however, we are compelled to address the root causes of
September 11 in an attempt to secure
the safety of our cities, homes and children against cowardly acts of radicalism
and terror.
Certainly, bringing
to justice perpetrators of terror is an absolute must - a critical first step -
if the U.S. led coalition pledge to eradicate terrorism is to succeed.
Moreover, however,
it is vitally important to make certain that there is a clear distinction made,
in words as well as in deeds, between the state sponsors of terrorism and the
people of those countries who have been living under the tyranny of unpopular
and oppressive regimes.
What that means is
that in addition to punishing the underwriters and proponents of terror, the
international community must look to broader and long term solutions if it
aspires to uproot the sort of evil that has consumed my part of the world -- for
the past two decades, and which -- for the first time - two months ago, set foot
on the shores of this land.
The tragic events
of September 11 proved to the world what Iranians have experienced first hand in
their own homeland: Twenty-two years of constant terror, evil deeds in the name
of religion, broken lives and broken hearts.
It is true that
every crisis presents its own set of opportunities and this barbaric act and
human tragedy is no different.
Thus, the focus of
my address to this distinguished audience this evening is on the unique
opportunities that are at hand to permanently reshape, for the better, the
predicament of the “terror belt” which has extended from Afghanistan, to
Iraq with its buckle centered in Tehran.
We are now entering
a new era. All indicators point to the fact that disproved and archaic political
systems are on the way out and new ones are evolving. We, in fact, are
witnessing the writing of a new chapter in the history of our modern
civilization: Undemocratic governments that suppress their citizens are being
swept away by democracies -- guaranteeing freedoms based on human rights. This
most recent modern trend began with the dismantling of the old Soviet Union and
has continued through the fall of Milosovich - all peacefully and because of
popular will.
Similarly, despotic
political orders that have dominated my region of the world will have to give
way to stable, democratic, and orderly political systems meeting the demands of
people for progress, modernity and sustainable socio-economical growth.
Clearly, it is no
longer possible for any regime to permanently terrorize an entire nation, deny
globally accepted norms, have complete disregard for international law and
order, and expect the world not to react. This new era must also usher in the
assertive championing of the unalienable right of every person in every corner
of the globe to freedom and opportunity. It is our moral obligation to support
this cause not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because
freedom for every one, regardless of where she lives, contributes directly to
our peace and livelihood wherever we live.
This is a reality
that must be faced, deciphered and recognized because as we have witnessed the
world is indeed today a global village.
Naturally, my
passions and interests are particularly focused toward my homeland Iran:
Twenty-three
centuries prior to the establishment of this great nation, my homeland offered
mankind the first declaration of human rights. Back then, the land of Persians
was known for its tolerance, its free thinkers and harmonious coexistence of
many nations, religions and ethnicities. Today however, while your great nation,
which has become the true beacon of freedom and liberty, grows and evolves in
the new millennia, Iranians are pained to see the medieval despotism ruling
their land.
We are now at a
critical moment in the history of my homeland. The Iran of my youth was a nation
at peace with its neighbors and respected within the International community.
Our economy was among the strongest in the region, and our people were
prospering.
Twenty-two years
ago, however, an earthquake-like catastrophe descended upon my homeland
destroying the foundations of a modernizing Iran and reversing decades of
progress and stability in this strategic region.
Today, the clerical
regime has plunged the Iranian nation into the abyss: of deep economic malaise
brought about by years of self-imposed isolation, high inflation, unemployment
and rampant corruption. Iran’s clerical regime brutally suppresses fundamental
human rights within its borders, is in a dangerous pursuit of weapons of mass
destruction and is on record for being the principal antagonist of the Middle
East peace process.
Until now however,
unfortunately, Washington, the major European powers, and the Western media have
persisted to inaccurately portray the political dynamics in Iran as a struggle
between a “reformist” President Khatami and “radical conservatives,” and
have used Mr. khatami’s soothing words and meaningless references against
terrorism to bolster this inaccuracy.
It is heartbreaking
for me, and for millions of Iranians, to witness our homeland being ruled by a
regime whose principle foreign policy objective has been based on the export of
hate, terror and instability. In fact as we speak, beyond the twenty-two year
track record of funding, training and inspiring the Bin Laden’s of this world,
Mr. Khatami’s government is today harboring terrorists whose names appear on
the most wanted lists of the FBI and the Interpol.
Therefore, the real
struggle taking shape in Iran today is not between Khatami and other clerics;
rather, it pits the forces of state despotism and terrorism against an emerging
popular movement that demands democracy, rejects militant fundamentalism and
repudiates the venomous slogans of death to America and Israel.
In my homeland
today, my compatriots are risking their lives and are taking to the streets to
declare that they also have unalienable rights to freedom. They aspire to live
in a democratic country where self-determination, political freedoms and
universally accepted human rights are respected. They demand to live freely and
to choose for themselves. They want to be the authors of their own lives and
destiny.
They are demanding
the freedom of political prisoners who as we speak are being tortured and held
in solitary confinements. The people of my homeland are demanding the freedom of
the press; the freedom of assembly; the freedom of expression. Iranians today
want the freedom of choice: whether it be of jobs, of education, of housing, of
clothing, or the freedom to have a real choice between candidates for political
office.
This movement and
its explosive potential are rooted in Iran’s overwhelmingly young population.
Nearly 50 million of Iran’s 70 million people are under the age of 30. These
young people desperately demand jobs, housing, education, healthcare, and
economic opportunity. Moreover, they hold the key to Iran’s belated transition
from totalitarianism to liberty, secularism, and a civil society.
They recognize that
even Khatami’s brand of theocracy is inseparable from intolerance and
militancy, because ultimately theocracy and democracy are incompatible.
The 50 million
youth of my country are demanding political change and aspire to breath the
fresh air of freedom that has been denied them by the regime. They are also
quick however to point out that solutions to their social and economic ills lie
in their own hands and begin with moving beyond theocratic rule.
Hence, Iranians
today rarely miss an opportunity to demonstrate their discontent with the
clerical regime to the world. By now, we are all too familiar with news reports
of mass civil unrest throughout Iran, resulting in mass arrests and brutal
crackdown of the demonstrating youth. Victories as well as defeats by our
National Soccer Team have provided our youth rare opportunities to pour in the
streets and call for the end of the clerical regime. Earlier, in the aftermath
of September 11, in a daring symbolic act that nerved the regime, Iranians held
candle light vigils in support of the American people and condemned terrorism
and all supports of it.
Beyond their own
will power however, the people of Iran can use a much-needed boost of support
from the free world. At this critical moment, they ultimately look to America as
a beacon of hope not to let them down by “cutting a deal” with the rulers of
Iran for short term gains.
The message from
the 50 million youth is that: An investment in the people of
Beyond voicing the
aspirations of my fellow countrymen to the world community, my role in this
cause has been principally to unite Iranians under the banner of freedom and
democracy -- in order to win back our homeland from despotism.
I have called for a
national unity and have been assembling a broad base of support -- from all
sectors of Iranian society -- for a campaign of nonviolent action and mass civil
resistance, culminating in a national referendum with international observers.
Response from my
compatriots has been overwhelming. Confidence is building and momentum is on our
side.
Today, the rulers
of Tehran are cornered and are caught in a quandary. It would be foolhardy to
expect this regime to simply roll over and give into the will of the people. It
will not hesitate to use any tactic or employ any political or police tool to
resist the prospects of change beyond its Theocracy.
In what has become
a clerical trademark, the regime will seek to address its international as well
as domestic problems by continuing to court a calculated policy of “double
talk” aimed at confusing the world into appeasement by systematically sending
contradicting messages to the world:
Internationally,
for example, the rulers of Tehran have aimed to charm the West by calling for
the eradication of terrorism; however, in deed, they refuse to pull their
financing and support of terror groups and anti-peace process actions.
Similarly, just last week, the Regime sent Mr. Khatami to the United Nations, to
deliver a speech about dialogue between civilizations, yet upon his return the
calls against the “Great Satan” were renewed. In totality, the clerical
regime has little credibility when it comes to international, law, order and
principles of diplomacy. Hence, the world needs to be weary of any promises
emanating from Tehran until it delivers, in deeds, what it gestured in words.
Similarly this
policy of “double talk and calculated confusion” is visible in the
regime’s domestic front, where in recent years it has sought to curb domestic
unrest by holding the promise of civil liberties, liberal reform, better
economics and so-called open elections. In reality however it has delivered, the
closure of all free and independent press, the ban on all opposing political
parties, it has controlled and dictated all election results and has expanded
the economic misery index. Nearly five years ago, the regime produced a smiling
and soft-spoken cleric, Mr. Khatami, who with great charm called for a
“dialogue between civilizations.” Since that talk however, Mr. Khatami’s
regime has yet to miss an opportunity to deliver crushing blows against the
slightest hint of alternate opinions and views - even if held by so-called
moderate members of his own Parliament. Recently the government militia groups
were fanned across Iranian rooftops confiscating satellite dishes with access to
international news and programming. And just last week the Iranian government
declared the Internet a “threat to the state” and ordered the takeover and
control of Internet access. Perhaps, next will come the termination of all phone
service to the outside world!
Hence, today
Iranians ask the Khatami’s of Iran “how about dialogue with your own
people” and are ominously writing and chanting the words “beyond Khatami”
throughout Iran.
This is where
however, the world has been handed a golden opportunity to selectively engage
with the forces of freedom in Iran and disallow regimes such as that in Tehran
to crush its citizens and silence - at any cost -- the struggling voices for
liberty.
In particular,
America, this great land of liberty, bears a unique and special responsibility
to lead this charge by:
First: Sending a
clear and unwavering message of hope and support to the people of Iran that it
stands with them -- and not against them -- in their legitimate quest for
freedom and secularism.
Second: Convince
its European and Asian allies that the clerical regime in Iran is part of the
global problem, and that if the international campaign against terrorism is to
succeed, appeasement of - and shortsighted deal makings with Tehran must come to
an end.
The world must
establish new rules in the game of international relations and geopolitics and
adhere to them with the highest degree of discipline. For example, the first
rule of diplomatic and economic relations among nations should be the
unconditional regards for human rights.
Therefore, in the
global war against terrorism, the international community must not rely on the
words of regimes whose regard for terrorism and export of subversion has
substituted the regard for the rights of their own citizens.
If otherwise, the
international community can simply end up “cutting deals” with unpopular
regimes whose goals are simply aimed at the preservation of their undemocratic
powers.
At this critical
juncture, our actions or inaction will have long lasting effects. An unwavering
global support for democracy will guarantee peace and stability for decades to
come, just as the absence of vision might very well result in the endless
continuation of terror and grief.
The vision I have
outlined for you this evening is achievable and is one that lies at the core of
American value systems, namely -- support for freedom whenever and wherever.
And so, today I
pronounce to you -- that the ship of freedom has set sail in my homeland.
The world must
care, and make the right choice in favoring the winds of change that will give
birth to a long-awaited secularism and democracy in my homeland Iran and hence
lead to regional stability.
The Iranian people
deserve no less and that is why this is a cause I believe in and am committed to
see to fruition ---- even if it were to come at the expense of my own life.