Interview with Dr. Haydar Akbari, MD and Radiologist, and chairman of National Coalition for Pro-Democracy Advocates in Iran from the State of California.
Ebrahim Biparva, Host: … Would you please explain that how inclusive your coalition is? In the sense that are you willing to have alliance with all Iranians? Such as those who do not believe in separation of religion and politics. Do they have any place in this coalition? Or those who have close cooperation with the current regime in Iran, or groups such as Mojahedin, or monarchists, or leftists? In general what limits exist in your coalition?
Dr. Akbari: I would like to first define “being Iranian.” In our view, the only condition for “being Iranian,” is patriotism. Your question regarding separation of religion from politics is one of the principles of our coalition. Because, we believe that mixing religion and belief with political issues and religious interference in politics and government will result in corruption. The catastrophe which in the last 24-25 years all of us have been feeling with our flesh and bone is the proof of this believe of ours. We believe that the future of Iran is bound to creation and foundation of a democratic system, based on freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, based on popular vote. If we look at the past history of Iran, we see that our people have over decades in aspiring for freedom, progress, and peace have done all they could do and have not spare any effort in their power. But, especially during the anti-dictatorship uprising of 1979, unfortunately for obvious historic reasons that all know, the leadership of this freedom loving movement of the Iranian people was stolen. We wanted to establish the foundation for a free, prosperous and developing Iran. But, unfortunately, the architect that belonged to many years ago – mediaeval or even barbaric times – stole the leadership of this movement and set up a crooked wall which has brought nothing to Iranian people but pain, misery, plundering, crime, war, and disregarded rights of citizenry of all Iranians. As the poem says: once the first brick of a wall is set unbalanced, the wall will raise to the skys crooked. That is why this regime, because of the crooked nature its anti-human an undemocratic principles has brought a system which is by no means repairable. Mischieves that in past years under the guise of reform and refinement of the regime has taken place… bringing people such as Mr.Khatami with his famous smile to cover the crookedness of this wall. But, the anti-people and anti-human nature of this regime under no circumstances allows any development and reform in the social, political and economic infrastructure of this generation. The relations of this regime with the outside world is based on tension and violence. And, unfortunately, today they made our country to be condemned as a terrorist country by every general assembly and human rights. If review the records released by the United Nations, last year this regime was for the fiftieth time condemned for violation of human rights. Other records, accounts and statistics which are available to all by the human rights societies attest that this regime is an anti-Iranian regime and by no means is reformable. Therefore, we are asking for the change of this regime in its totality and replacing it by a regime that is based on human values and humanity, on top of social values. And we are prepared to ally ourselves with those who respect people’s votes. We are prepared to form coalition with all patriotic forces who defend the homeland and the freedom of people. But, we suggest a regime for Iran that is based on decentralization of political and executive power. Because we believe – not only we believe, but all historic and scientific evidences in this regard show – that centralization of political power at one point, whether ideological, or hereditary, would result in corruption in political regimes of the society and once again takes the freedom of people to sacrifice.
Host: Dr. Akbari, I gather from what you say is that your organization, your coalition is trying to make fundamental changes, in the political system of Iran… The question is that, let’s assume, that tonight, this minute, a miracle takes place and the Islamic Republic vanishes from the political scene in Iran. What are your plans for the future of Iran? And if you are asked to form the future government of Iran what would you do?
D.A: Sure, certainly. Before answering your question, I would like to hail the political prisoners of the section 1 of Evin prison who are on hunger strike… in commemorating the tragic events of student dormitories and suppression in the universities and outside the universities. I would like to ask our compatriots to do not hesitate their support for the hunger strike by the political prisoners which in these tough conditions in our country is in fact to guard the honor of our freedom and the progress of the Iranian people. As response to your question, if such a miracle takes place, we believe that at that point under the supervision of the United Nations and international communities we would attempt a democratic replacement and forming a wisemen council through direct referendum…
A pro-regime person called from Britain who rejected separation of religion from politics and supported repression of political groups under the guise that they are agents of foreign government and UN is an instrument of US and Israel. But, two other people anti-regime individuals from Gilan and Tehran called.
D.A: … I would like to stress that we are talking about separation of religion from state, not religion from politics. Of course, everyone has his own believes and based on his opinion, his approach on various social-political subjects is influenced… But, what is certain… is that do you think, if Iran was occupied by another force, what has come upon Iranian people over the last 24-25 years, would have been worse. Can you not imagine that Iran from economic, social, progress has come from where to where? Just few days ago, the United Nations released a report regarding developments in countries. In this report Iran, among 177 countries, ranked 101 after Ecuador. Then in the same report, among 143 countries, the inflation rate in Iran is worse than 120 countries in the world. We want to have an Iran whose people can freely choose their clothing, food, elect authorities, elect representatives. We do not want our youth for demanding freedom of expression and democratic rights of their people be imprisoned as in June 21 when they were sprayed by bullets in the streets by the antihuman regime. We do not want October 25 when the messengers of freedom were shot in the streets of Tehran. We do not want to have massacres of 1988. We do not want to have the mascaras of university dormitories of 1999. We do not want to have prisons full of people. We want to have a free and prosperous Iran whose people choose their representatives. We want a regime based on respect for human rights. A country in peace and serenity with all its neighbors. We do not want to risk the fate and safety of our country by pursuing nuclear programs. We do not want to be a country that exports terrorism to the world, particularly the Middle East and neighboring countries. Aren’t these the realities that I do not want to repeat? Because the people themselves inside the country are experiencing them everyday. Just yesterday the regime’s newspapers reported that they have arrested a number of people. Especially in Vanak Square, they had arrested girls who were wearing shorter pants. They were severely punished and there was a report that they put their feet in buckets full of roaches…
Two callers commented that if the Iranian oppositions unite the regime would not last. One of them asked the guest to comment on forming this alliance.
D.A:… The ways of solidarity that I can think of are first to draw a clear line with the ruling mullahs in Iran and if all the oppositions inside and abroad realize this fact that there is no alternative inside the regime and there would be no democratic regime based on supreme jurisprudence. Particularly those who claim reform inside the regime must surrender to this fact that a system based on People’s vote number one must reject jurisprudence regime. In the constitution you have a monster called Velayat-e Faqih, above all the legitimate political powers, and you want to have democracy and reform for Iran around this lever. The Khatami experience and the subversion of so-called reforms proved this to the world and particularly the Iranian people that this is not a regime that can create alternatives from within. Therefore, if all the oppositions inside and outside the country set this clear line between themselves and the entirety of the Velayat-e Faqih regime as their first measure, this would be the primary condition for solidarity. Then respecting and abiding by a free election in Iran without any pre-conditions…. Our specific suggestion is that under UN observation a referendum is held and a constitutional council is formed. This council will decide for the future of Iran… The prescription we have for the future of Iran is based on Iranian nationalism and patriotism. We do not believe that social affairs should be based on belief or political power. We believe that all religious minorities: Christians, Jews, Bahaiis, even those who do not believe in God and all the other religious and political minorities, ethnic minorities, all should be equal in the eyes of Iranian laws and sovereignty…
Two other listeners requested that VOA does not become a tribune for regime’s supporters by airing their opinions.
D.A:… The truth of the matter is that this regime is struggling with domestic and foreign crises… It is struggling with solving its nuclear issue. But, the good news for our people is that if you with your resistance in the last 24-25 years with thousands executed and imprisoned have forced the regime to this point in political and social arenas that cannot reform themselves. They have no choice but restricting the society and moving towards a police and military regime. Therefore, you must know that the final days and months of this regime are arriving … Today, even the supporters of regime themselves are complaining with open letters to international organizations… Solidarity of the Iranian must remain… The Iranian people will soon rid themselves of the anti-human regime of clerics…
Host: Since we are close to the end of our program… I would like to ask you to describe briefly your organization’s views on the trial of accused murderer of Zahra Kazemi. You also know that these days the restrictions in Iran on hejabi have also tremendously increased…
D.A: Of course, we were one of the organizations that from the on set of this violent event were looking for the facts and the rights of Ms. Kazemi. We held several meetings in New York and Washington in this regard. This was only one of the crimes of this regime that was exposed and there are thousands of this kind. The sham trial that was held in last few days, was to save the anti-human prosecutor of the regime. And eventually today the regime realized that this show had no profit domestically and abroad and therefore, was forced to stop it.
