sorry to say it Hoder, but you sound like as if you would support American troops on invading Iran and removing the government. Do you honestly think the people in Iran have it so bad where they would welcome any invader that would remove the current government? Especially if that invader was the one who helped to install Mohhamad Reza Shah Pahlavi (The harsh monarch)? Even though there is progress being made in which human rights will eventually flourish? I would give Iran probably about 20 years until the whole Islamic regime dies out, because after awhile no one will support seeing their wives and daughters being thrown into jail for equal rights, and soon their will be more public pressure on the government to change. What I am basically saying is that the current situation in Iran cannot be handled internationally but instead politically and socially.
- By: Shawn on April 21, 2003

Iman, I apologize. It was a late night, and I tend to get sloppy on my reading/typing when I am tired. You raise an interesting point: that a democracy's violation of principals of democracy could work to the good of another country. But I have to wonder if it wouldn't harm the democracy in the process.
- By: Venomous Kate on March 16, 2003

come on man, are u mind reader, or what, have u had interview with all iranians, or just..... what are u trying to make believe by your english languaged visitors, anyway
- By: bhy on March 15, 2003

Want to help democracy in the Middle-East? Her's an easy plan: 1- Stop supporting some of the biggest dictators in the region, even if you call them allies for now (the way we called Saddam and Afghani Mojadedin/Taliban allies not that long ao). Including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kuwait, UAE, etc. 2- Support the democratic movement and organizations within each country. Don't "create" democrats like Ahmad Chelbi (Iraq) or Hamid Kerzai (Afghanistan) or Reza Pahlavi (Iran). Each of the region's countries have extensive structures dedicated to democracy, but under brutal force they have no voice, no tools to expand, no way to flourish. 3- Bring a more balanced approach to the main conflict in the region : Isael-Palestine. These three steps would be a great, fresh new start and nothing but good will be the result.
- By: Pedram Moallemian on March 15, 2003

Kate, What is the meaning of Democracy? Can we install democracy everywhere we like? I think if US institutes a democratic regime in Iraq, the first people who get elected are Islamists. So the US will step in and stop them from taking power. Accordingly, US should will stay there for a long time. This scenario has some consequences. First of all terrorists will find a good reason to continue their brutal activities. Second, Americans will be threatened for a long time, of course it can be another reason for a perpetual war. Therefore, I think violating the principles of democracy will be necessary to keep what us obtain in Iraq. And this would be a paradoxical action. In this manner there is not any difference between authoritarians and US administration or people who support them. Overthrowing Saddam by US makes Iranians happy, but Iranians does not need American military support to get rid of dictator Mullahs. Anyway, my name is Iman not IMAM. Imam is an Arabic word and means leader. In Iran we had only one Imam, Imam Ayatollah khomeini !!!!!. He died 13 years ago. Calling me as IMAM is really a venomous bite :)
- By: Iman on March 15, 2003

Yes, but how much involvement should the US government and military have in these things? Imam has pointed out that the true responsibility for regime change lies with the citizens. That's certainly how it works in our country. Yet if the citizenry is leaving regimes in place, as they are in Iran and Iraq, how could that make it "the fault of US foreign policy"?
- By: Venomous Kate on March 15, 2003

I do agree with pedram. An important point is that you cannot install a democratic system to help these people by only removing their dictator. In fact, people themselves should reach to this point that for having a liberal society and democratic state, fundamentalists and religious ideologues are the worst choice. We( Iranians) have experienced this bitter process and now are ready to have a secular government. So I think this is the fault of US foreign policy. In many Middle East countries even if you try democratic referendum, extremists will win the competition as we have seen in Turkey, Algeria. Nevertheless, it would be a good reason for US to stay in this region to support democracy and helping Muslims! It is completely clear and predictable. Moreover, there is enough oil!!
- By: Iman on March 14, 2003

Part of the problem is this absurd notion that somehow we could be "rescued" or a democracy can be established by brutal force. Democracy and learning it's manners and rules is a delicate process that must overtime be examined, practiced and accepted by any society. There's little doubt that the plight of Iraqi people or their need for democracy is not even in a small way a motive for the true "Axis of Evil" (Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft) as they are preparing to invade Iraq. Unfortunately our (Iranians) hatred of Saddam Hussein has made us blind to the consequences and motives of this upcoming calamity. I hope our dislike or hatred of the current Iranian regime doesn't do the same for wishing a similar fate for Iran.
- By: Pedram Moallemian on March 14, 2003