Rep. Jane Harman calls ethnic separation of Iran “a good strategy”

[grassfed]

Run time: 06:05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpRq528Ow3I   Posted on YouTube: May 15, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 20, 2009 By DU Member: grassfed Views on DU: 2660

 
Rep. Jane Harman calls ethnic separation of Iran “a good strategy”

"The Persian population in Iran is not a majority, it is a plurality. There are many different, diverse, and disagreeing populations inside Iran and an obvious strategy, which I believe is a good strategy, is to separate those populations."
- Rep. Jane Harman

Through conquest and turmoil, the Iranian nation has survived and thrived for thousands of years, with peoples of all backgrounds and ethnicities forming a common identity. Now that President Obama has emphasized diplomacy and reduced the chances of war between the United States and Iran, Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) has a new idea: rip apart the Iranian nation by dividing its peoples along ethnic lines.

We only need to look to Iraq or Darfur to see what ethnic warfare looks like. Rep. Harman's comments cannot go unchallenged. Sign onto NIAC's letter today and demand Rep. Harman retract her divisive and dangerous remarks.

http://capwiz.com/niacouncil/issues/alert/?alertid=13376101&type=CU

[sasquatch]

1. Sold her soul and is becoming more and more irrelevant as days go on

[dgibby]

2. Well, carried to it's logical conclusion, that would mean we could

separate the republicans from the rest of society, relocate them to some really nice place with tropical breezes, ocean view, a planned community, you know--- GITMO.

[canucksawbones]

3. She's nuts

Persians represent 55% of Iran's population and Azeris make 24%, the the persian and azeri populations are well integrated (and are both Shi'a. Her divide and conquer strategy is unfeasible based on ethnic origins.

GK

[burning rain]

4. That's a weird theory. What genius concocted it?

So far as I know, ethnic divisions in Iran do not create major fault lines in the society, and the 800-lb. gorilla is shiite religious mania.

[LynnTheDem]

5. Dear Jane; what part of that is any of America's god-damn business???

Woouldn't that be up to the people of IRAN to decide???

American Arrogance; sole survivor of American Torture?

[annm4peace]

6. how much money will Harman make if we attack Iran

Sick, American needs to wake up and see what the hell their Representatives are saying and doing.

many are getting money from various donors and pacs, and for it they are funding the occupations in Iraq and Afganistan,, and try to get us to invade Iran.

See what bills your congress person is supporting or authoring and if it is sending more money to other countries, whether by 'foreign aid" or by military, or by weapons.. call them out on it and post on blogs, and lte

[avaistheone1]

7. I hope Jane checked in with her bosses at AIPAC before she spoke.

Otherwise her paycheck might be short.

[mmonk]

8. That would be a given I would think.

[grassfed]

9. Rep. Harman Retracts Statement on Iran, Expresses Regret

"I regret any concern they might have caused," Harman Tells NIAC

Washington, DC – The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) welcomes Rep. Jane Harman’s retraction and clarification of her statement regarding the “separation” of Iran’s ethnic groups and regret for the concern it caused.

“I was not and am not calling for the creation of ethnic tensions or separation in Iran – nothing would be less productive,” said Harman in a statement to NIAC. “Although my comments on Iran were taken out of context, I regret any concern they might have caused.”

“My point was that the diversity of views in Iran should be better understood in order for the United States to formulate the best strategy for persuading the Iranian government not to pursue nuclear weapons development,” Harman added.

The controversy arose from statements Harman made during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual conference. While answering a question about how to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Harman said “The Persian population in Iran is not a majority, it is a plurality. There are many different, diverse, and disagreeing populations inside Iran and an obvious strategy, which I believe is a very good strategy, is to separate those populations.”

NIAC initiated a campaign Tuesday seeking a retraction from the California Congresswoman. Discussions were held yesterday between NIAC and Harman’s office.

“This is an important statement from Rep. Harman,” said NIAC Chairman Reza Firouzbakht. “It makes clear that while there are many opinions about how to address the Iranian nuclear challenge, some options are simply not acceptable.”

NIAC President Trita Parsi welcomed the retraction and the Congresswoman’s expression of regret. “Though we take exception to the idea that the statement was taken out of context, the important thing is that Congresswoman Harman responded quickly to retract it and stated clearly that she opposes creating ethnic tensions in Iran. This is a testament both to the Congresswoman’s openness and to the increasing political engagement of the Iranian-American community.”

http://www.niacouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1425&Itemid=2