By NASSER SHARIF / Contributing writer
June 10, 2016
Although it came as little surprise to those who genuinely understand the nature of the Iranian regime, it was recently revealed that widely disseminated American narratives about Iran’s sudden moderation were merely convenient lies dispensed to the American people and to gullible policymakers and the media in order to drum up support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
In interviews for a New York Times Magazine profile, White House foreign policy adviser Ben Rhodes recently admitted that bilateral talks over the future of the Iranian nuclear program actually began while hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was still in power. Still, when his successor, Hassan Rouhani, took the post in 2013, Rhodes branded it as a victory for “moderation” rationalizing nuclear talks.
This notion of moderation was the primary justification for a deal regarded by many commentators and some direct participants in the negotiations as a series of concessions to the Iranian regime, offered in exchange for very few assurances that the regime would not continue to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Critics’ concerns were buried under simplistic platitudes and – as we now know – outright falsehoods, in order to convince just enough Western policymakers and citizens that they were facing a choice between negotiations and war.
The Obama administration’s detractors were quick to discount these notions, and few of them did so with as much conviction and moral authority as the National Council of Resistance of Iran, which exposed the regime’s clandestine program in 2002.
The opposition has always maintained that Rouhani’s background leaves no doubt that he is a regime insider who has maintained allegiance to the ideology of the supreme leader throughout the decades.
Rouhani has overseen a sharp increase in executions, with nearly 2,700 executed during his tenure. At the same time, there have been mass arrests of journalists and activists, as well as escalating censorship and control over Iranians’ internet access.
All of these facts were inconvenient to the narrative supporting the nuclear agreement, and so they were downplayed or dismissed, and crucially important voices, like those of the NCRI, were suppressed. Last summer, a rally in Paris drew more than 100,000 Iranian expatriates and their supporters, including politicians, military figures and policy experts from the U.S. Britain, and a range of other Western countries.
The event certainly reached some policymakers with the message of the lack of prospects for moderation within the regime, and the weakness of the nuclear agreement. But that message would have reached many more if not for the fact that the media was largely deaf to it.
In his New York Times profile, Rhodes boasted of the ease with which the administration was able to shape the narrative, noting that today’s young journalists “literally know nothing” and derive their understanding of foreign affairs from whatever is told to them by the policymakers they interview. Apparently those journalists didn’t consider that those very same policymakers would simply lie to them to achieve their ends.
But now the media and the public in general have a better grasp on that fact in light of the Ben Rhodes controversy. As such, it is time for us in the West to listen to those who have experienced the Iranian regime’s abuses firsthand and who could never find reasons to lie in order to make that regime look better than it is.
Nasser Sharif is president of the California Society for Democracy in Iran. Save America
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a Markup hearing today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously approved and referred to the House Floor, H.Res.650 titled, “Providing for the safety and security of the Iranian dissidents living in Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq and awaiting resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and permitting use of their own assets to assist in their resettlement.”
The Resolution calls on the United States to work with the Government of Iraq (GOI) to make sure personnel responsible for providing security for Camp Liberty are vetted and are not affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force or its surrogates. The bill also calls on the U.S. and GOI, in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), help the residents sell their property and assets at Camps Ashraf and Liberty, which in turn can facilitate their resettlement. The bill urges the above noted stakeholders to expedite the residents’ resettlement “according to the terms of the December 2011 MOU.”
“My goal is to get this quickly to the Floor of House of Representatives,” Committee Chairman, Ed Royce (R-CA) said after the hearing. The Committee’s Ranking Member, Eliot Engel (D-NY) noted, “The residents of Camp Liberty deserve to live in dignity and without fear of violence,” calling last October’s rocket attacks on unarmed resident of the camp by Iranian government affiliated militia, “the height of cowardice.”
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC-US) lauds Committee’s leadership on this initiative, and in particular appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX), for introducing the resolution. Our community is indebted also to the dozens of bi-partisan house members who with their time and efforts have helped ensure better security for the residents and further improved the prospective of safe resettlement for Camp Liberty residents.
The Committee’s expression of solidarity with the Iranian people is in direct contrast to the near record rise in the number of executions in Iran under Rouhani. Despite the nuclear accord’s promises, deterioration of human rights in Iran since, speaks volumes of the fallacy of Iranian government moderation. The unanimous adoption of H.Res.650 on the other hand, is a strong signal that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people.
OIAC-US Lauds House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Leadership on Supporting Camp Liberty Residents
PR Newswire
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016
In a Markup hearing today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously approved and referred to the House Floor, H.Res.650 titled, “Providing for the safety and security of the Iranian dissidents living in Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq and awaiting resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and permitting use of their own assets to assist in their resettlement.”
The Resolution calls on the United States to work with the Government of Iraq (GOI) to make sure personnel responsible for providing security for Camp Liberty are vetted and are not affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force or its surrogates. The bill also calls on the U.S. and GOI, in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), help the residents sell their property and assets at Camps Ashraf and Liberty, which in turn can facilitate their resettlement. The bill urges the above noted stakeholders to expedite the residents resettlement “according to the terms of the December 2011 MOU.”
“My goal is to get this quickly to the Floor of House of Representatives,” Committee Chairman, Ed Royce (R-CA) said after the hearing. The Committee’s Ranking Member, Eliot Engel (D-NY) noted, “The residents of Camp Liberty deserve to live in dignity and without fear of violence,” calling last October’s rocket attacks on unarmed resident of the camp by Iranian government affiliated militia, “the height of cowardice.”
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC-US) lauds Committee’s leadership on this initiative, and in particular appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX), for introducing the resolution. Our community is indebted also to the dozens of bi-partisan house members who with their time and efforts have helped ensure better security for the residents and further improved the prospective of safe resettlement for Camp Liberty residents.
The Committee’s expression of solidarity with the Iranian people is in direct contrast to the near record rise in the number of executions in Iran under Rouhani. Despite the nuclear accord’s promises, deterioration of human rights in Iran since, speaks volumes of the fallacy of Iranian government moderation. The unanimous adoption of H.Res.650 on the other hand, is a strong signal that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people.
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC-US) Lauds House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Leadership on Supporting Camp Liberty Residents
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a Markup hearing today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously approved and referred to the House Floor, H.Res.650 titled, “Providing for the safety and security of the Iranian dissidents living in Camp Liberty/Hurriya in Iraq and awaiting resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and permitting use of their own assets to assist in their resettlement.”
The Resolution calls on the United States to work with the Government of Iraq (GOI) to make sure personnel responsible for providing security for Camp Liberty are vetted and are not affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force or its surrogates. The bill also calls on the U.S. and GOI, in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), help the residents sell their property and assets at Camps Ashraf and Liberty, which in turn can facilitate their resettlement. The bill urges the above noted stakeholders to expedite the residents resettlement “according to the terms of the December 2011 MOU.”
“My goal is to get this quickly to the Floor of House of Representatives,” Committee Chairman, Ed Royce (R-CA) said after the hearing. The Committee’s Ranking Member, Eliot Engel (D-NY) noted, “The residents of Camp Liberty deserve to live in dignity and without fear of violence,” calling last October’s rocket attacks on unarmed resident of the camp by Iranian government affiliated militia, “the height of cowardice.”
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC-US) lauds Committee’s leadership on this initiative, and in particular appreciates the efforts of Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX), for introducing the resolution. Our community is indebted also to the dozens of bi-partisan house members who with their time and efforts have helped ensure better security for the residents and further improved the prospective of safe resettlement for Camp Liberty residents.
The Committee’s expression of solidarity with the Iranian people is in direct contrast to the near record rise in the number of executions in Iran under Rouhani. Despite the nuclear accord’s promises, deterioration of human rights in Iran since, speaks volumes of the fallacy of Iranian government moderation. The unanimous adoption of H.Res.650 on the other hand, is a strong signal that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people.
May 9, 2016
Organization of Iranian American Communities expresses solidarity with the thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) expresses solidarity with thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran who are protesting inordinate government taxation, wage manipulations, government corruption, and inhumane work conditions.
Iranian regime’s Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization is at the center of striking driver’s problems. Its agents systematically utilize extortion, bribes, and favoritism during the loading and unloading processes. Additionally, Hassan Rouhani’s government has imposed new crippling taxes on drivers and is requiring them to pay additional commissions.
Hundreds of Iranian teachers held a protest on Friday, April 25, 2016 in the city of Hamedan, western Iran, demanding their basic rights and the release of imprisoned teachers in different cities.The teachers held up banners protesting their colleagues’ arrest for demanding their basic rights, such as fair wages.
Under Rouhani, hundreds teachers have been arrested for their peaceful activities in Iran.
We remind policy makers and international rights organs, especially those who willingly ignore Iran’s disregard for international law; that Iranian regime is a medieval inhumane, fascist, and predatory body, whose destructive reach though pervasive in nature, first and foremost affects the Iranian people. We thus call on all nations to withhold cooperation with the regime in Iran as long as it ignores human rights of it’s own people, oppresses its citizenry, choosing instead to use the country’s wealth for warmongering, exportation of terrorism, and for a ballistic missile program.
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC)
Contact: info@oiac.org
Follow us on @orgIAC
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Source:http://finance.dailyherald.com/dailyherald/news/read/32064664/Organization_of_Iranian_American_Communities_expresses_solidarity_with_the_thousands_of_teachers_and_workers_across_Iran
May 9, 2016
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) expresses solidarity with thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran who are protesting inordinate government taxation, wage manipulations, government corruption, and inhumane work conditions.
Iranian regime’s Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization is at the center of striking driver’s problems. Its agents systematically utilize extortion, bribes, and favoritism during the loading and unloading processes. Additionally, Hassan Rouhani’s government has imposed new crippling taxes on drivers and is requiring them to pay additional commissions.
Hundreds of Iranian teachers held a protest on Friday, April 25, 2016 in the city of Hamedan, western Iran, demanding their basic rights and the release of imprisoned teachers in different cities.The teachers held up banners protesting their colleagues’ arrest for demanding their basic rights, such as fair wages.
Under Rouhani, hundreds teachers have been arrested for their peaceful activities in Iran. We remind policy makers and international rights organs, especially those who willingly ignore Iran’s disregard for international law; that Iranian regime is a medieval inhumane, fascist, and predatory body, whose destructive reach though pervasive in nature, first and foremost affects the Iranian people. We thus call on all nations to withhold cooperation with the regime in Iran as long as it ignores human rights of it’s own people, oppresses its citizenry, choosing instead to use the country’s wealth for warmongering, exportation of terrorism, and for a ballistic missile program.
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC)
May 9, 2016
Organization of Iranian American Communities expresses solidarity with the thousands of teachers and workers across Iran
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) expresses solidarity with thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran who are protesting inordinate government taxation, wage manipulations, government corruption, and inhumane work conditions.
Iranian regime’s Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization is at the center of striking driver’s problems. Its agents systematically utilize extortion, bribes, and favoritism during the loading and unloading processes. Additionally, Hassan Rouhani’s government has imposed new crippling taxes on drivers and is requiring them to pay additional commissions.
Hundreds of Iranian teachers held a protest on Friday, April 25, 2016 in the city of Hamedan, western Iran, demanding their basic rights and the release of imprisoned teachers in different cities.The teachers held up banners protesting their colleagues’ arrest for demanding their basic rights, such as fair wages.
Under Rouhani, hundreds teachers have been arrested for their peaceful activities in Iran.
We remind policy makers and international rights organs, especially those who willingly ignore Iran’s disregard for international law; that Iranian regime is a medieval inhumane, fascist, and predatory body, whose destructive reach though pervasive in nature, first and foremost affects the Iranian people. We thus call on all nations to withhold cooperation with the regime in Iran as long as it ignores human rights of it’s own people, oppresses its citizenry, choosing instead to use the country’s wealth for warmongering, exportation of terrorism, and for a ballistic missile program.
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC)
Contact: info@oiac.org
Source: http://investor.wallstreetselect.com/wss/news/read?GUID=32064664
Organization of Iranian American Communities expresses solidarity with the thousands of teachers and workers across Iran
Organization of Iranian American Communities expresses solidarity with the thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran
Washington, DC, May 9, 2016 – Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) expresses solidarity with thousands of striking teachers and workers across Iran who are protesting inordinate government taxation, wage manipulations, government corruption, and inhumane work conditions.
Iranian regime’s Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization is at the center of striking driver’s problems. Its agents systematically utilize extortion, bribes, and favoritism during the loading and unloading processes. Additionally, Hassan Rouhani’s government has imposed new crippling taxes on drivers and is requiring them to pay additional commissions.
Hundreds of Iranian teachers held a protest on Friday, April 25, 2016 in the city of Hamedan, western Iran, demanding their basic rights and the release of imprisoned teachers in different cities.The teachers held up banners protesting their colleagues’ arrest for demanding their basic rights, such as fair wages.
Under Rouhani, hundreds teachers have been arrested for their peaceful activities in Iran.
We remind policy makers and international rights organs, especially those who willingly ignore Iran’s disregard for international law; that Iranian regime is a medieval inhumane, fascist, and predatory body, whose destructive reach though pervasive in nature, first and foremost affects the Iranian people. We thus call on all nations to withhold cooperation with the regime in Iran as long as it ignores human rights of it’s own people, oppresses its citizenry, choosing instead to use the country’s wealth for warmongering, exportation of terrorism, and for a ballistic missile program.
Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC)
Contact: info@oiac.org
Follow us on @orgIA
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