Reply #17: Controversial AEI Meeting Mobilizes Iranian Activists [View All]

Controversial AEI Meeting Mobilizes Iranian Activists

Source: SMCCDI (Information Service)
Date 21-10-2005

MCCDI (Information Service)
October 21, 2005

The controversial meeting which is to take place on October
26th, at the WDC based "American Enterprise Institute"
(AEI), is mobilizing Iranian activists across the world.
Protesters are objecting to the conference named "The
Unknown Iran - Another Case for Federalism? " that they see
it as a gradual promotion of a policy intended for
splitting and the disintegration of Iran.

... Public
Protest letters, to AEI and the conference's organizers,
are circulating on the Internet. Many of the writers were
known for their friendly regards toward the AEI and its
scholars.

~snip~

Many Iranians are believing that the AEI's suggestions are
well listened by the Bush Administration and that the
famous think tank institute was looking, till now, to help
Iranians to free themselves from the tyrannical and
terrorist rule of the Islamic republic. Such positive
thought had become even stronger following the July 16,
2005, comment of President Bush who stated: ""America
believes in the independence and territorial integrity of
Iran!"

Most Iranian opponents, to the Islamic regime, would have
never dreamed that AEI could host meetings that could open
a Pandora box and jeopardize the future of Iran and
Iranians. They also fear that the demagogue Islamic regime
will use the AEI's mistake to reverse the pro-American
feelings of millions of Iranians by stating: "You see, what
they did in the Balkans or in Iraq?.. Now they want to
split your country!.." Such propaganda has already started
in part of the state controlled media in Iran.

~snip~

Dr. Michael Ledeen, who's the moderator of the event, is
stating that the meeting is just "to inform the Americans
on Iran's diversity" and that "no separatist subject would
be allowed in the conference". Nerveless concerns are
increasing on the future impacts of the event. Its sudden
and strange timing and especially the choice of most of its
speakers, who are separatist elements, is leading to
legitimate questions.

~snip~

Responding to a written protest which was formulated by
Aryo B. Pirouznia, the SMCCDI's Coordinator, Mr. Ledeen has
responded: " Some of the speakers MAY have had separatist
ideas but this is no more the case".

Dr. Ledeen has been, in the past, in relation with a
notorious separatist element named "Chehregani"...

~snip~

The AEI had initially 'selected' four speakers in the name
of the Iranian-Azari, Iranian-Kurd, Iranian-Arab and
Iranian-Balootch ethnicities. Such questionable selection
which was curiously just limited to Iran's border zones has
helped fuel the controversy. ...

~snip~

Many Iranians and Americans would have hoped that a
credible conference on Iran's Territorial management would
have been focused on genuine and important factors which
are apparently not on AEI's agenda at this time.
...

~snip~