Dear All,
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Let me welcome you to Window 91 on Iran and proceed to our first news item. As you will see, there is a lot going on in Iran.
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Mousavi’s Statement #11
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* Yesterday, Mr. Mousavi released his Statement No. 11, a historic one in its scope and planning details. The statement is a clear indication that the Green Movement is pulling itself together and preparing for long term resistance. For both Persian and English versions of the content of this statement, visit: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=132573722605&ref=mf.
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* The government of Mr. Ahmadinejad has been canceling public events related to the month of Ramadan in order to deny the public any opportunities to gather. The Greens are now looking forward to the rally planned for September 18. The flyer is on the right.
Breaking News
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* Literally hours ago, security forces broke into the office that Mr. Mousavi’s camp had set up to collect information about those killed or injured during the post election protests. This office, which was run by Ali Beheshti (son of the deceased Ayatollah Beheshti and a spokesperson for Mousavi’s camp) was viewed as one of the few places in which people felt safe to speak about what actually happened to them. This is yet another sign of aggression by Mr. Ahmadinejad’s government demonstrating its inability to govern by any means other brute force: The question is for how long? See: http://norooznews.org/news/13807.php.
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Who is Afraid of Who? Keeping Hope Alive
* Anyone who is in close contact with Iran notices a fundamental change since the election: previously, Iranians were afraid of the government. Now, the government is afraid of the people. Everything that the current government does is an attempt to undermine this new spirit of hope for change.
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* As the regime blocks normal channels of communication, Iranians are consistently a step ahead inventing new and creative ways of communication to keep hope alive. The latest is writing slogans in support of the Green movement on Iranian bank notes (see the examples below).
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* At the same time, artists are at work to keep the spirit of hope alive. The Iranian vocalist Maestro Shajarian has released a new song called “Zaban-e Atash” The Language of Fire. In this song Mr. Shajarian invites the Basij to put their guns down and stop their armed aggression against the people. The lyrics are by the contemporary Iranian poet Fereydoun Moshiri:
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* You can participate in keeping Iranians hope for a green and peaceful transition to democracy alive by wearing a green wristband.
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More Opposition from the Religious City of Qom
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* The latest news from Iran indicates further opposition by major religious figures in Qom to Mr. Ahmadinejad’s government. There are indications that a new statement by these Ayatollahs is on the way: http://mowjcamp.com/article/id/27115.
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Atypical Interview
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* In a courageous interview with newspapers, Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, the spokesperson for Khatami’s camp, who was arrested soon after the elections said that after 80 days of solitary confinement, he is still in the dark about the accusations against him. He said during the arrest there were serious injuries to his head and ribs and his cell condition is pretty bad. According Mr. Ramezanzadeh, during the interrogations that usually go from 10 pm to 4 am, even though he is blindfolded, the interrogator sits behind him. He also said he was told his conditions would improve if he made public confessions. In a highly unusual move, the judge ordered the security forces to leave the court room so Mr. Ramezanzadeh would be able to speak freely: http://www.parlemannews.ir/index.aspx?n=3245.
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Scripted Democracy
* Following rumors that the viewing of the Iranian Television has dropped below forty percent, there have been efforts to air “interviews” in which the public express support for the state-run TV. Someone leaked an interesting picture where a brief script was held for an “interviewee” to read from. The script reads “These are rioters. They ought to be arrested and punished. I thank the Iranian National TV for impartial reflection of view points.” See the photo below:
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Now, to see the varieties of natural green from Iran, and to close this window on a green note, click here “The (Naturally) Green Iran” for the very short slide show that I have prepared for you from the latest photos of Iran.
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Good Night,
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Fatemeh
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Fatemeh Keshavarz, Professor and Chair
Dept. of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
Washington University in St. Louis
Honorary Co-Chair, Iranians For Peace
Tel: (314) 935-5156
Fax: (314) 935-4399
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