Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday October 18th, 2010 - Summary: They use the term "economic sedition" as a license for the massive repression of our people who are complaining about ever rising prices. They [the government] are fully aware of the economic disaster that awaits the nation and conveniently refers to it as an "Economic Sedition" in the making.
In reference to comments by a military commander claiming that the military atmosphere was in response to the probability that an economic sedition or conspiracy was in the makings, Mehdi Karroubi said: "A so called economic sedition or conspiracy is only an excuse to embezzle the nation's wealth and blame others for our disastrous situation."
Karroubi added: "This gentleman's references to a supposed "economic conspiracy or sedition" is only a license for the massive repression of our people who are complaining about ever rising prices! This government is fully aware of the economic disaster that awaits the nation and as such conveniently refer to it as an "Economic Sedition" in the making.
As per Saham News, a number of journalists and reporters recently met with Karroubi, asking him questions that touched upon recent events as related to the Green movement, the future of the Green movement, references by one of the military commanders regarding a so called economic sedition or conspiracy and comments by one of the regime's theorists that if it weren't for the Supreme Leader, the friends of the revolution would have derailed the revolution by now.
Mehdi Karroubi began the meeting by welcoming the journalists and expressing his hope and desire for the release of all imprisoned journalists. Karroubi reminded everyone that the Green movement is undoubtedly alive and continues to grow and emphasized: "Events and explosions in society occur for a reason and the factors that lead to these explosions need to be considered carefully. The events that followed the 10th presidential elections were not just related to the elections, rather, the election itself was the turning point and moment in time when the uprising took place. The Green movement was a result of a series of events that occurred before the 9th presidential elections and the 8th parliamentary elections, that surfaced after the 10th presidential elections"
While reiterating that the majority of the people are discontent, Karroubi stated: "Whether they came to the streets or not, our people are discontent. Our citizens have endured enormous pressures and hardship over the past 8 months. Security agents have raided their homes, beating mothers and children and arresting innocent citizens. If our citizens have chosen to remain silent for the time being and to endure, it does not mean that they have changed their minds. Under such extreme circumstances, when they even raid the house of one of the martyrs of the sacred war [reference to Bakeri family], attacking and beating their son in front of the family, or student activists are expelled from university and unfairly incarcerated, we can only conclude that the Green movement is alive and strong. This government is so fearful of the Green movement that they even ban the most simple ceremonies such as funerals and memorials.
Karroubi continued: "Our people must be decisive, determined and remain engaged in order for us to cross this difficult path. Perhaps it is even in the best interest of our people that the movement continues to develop at it's current pace, so that the stakes for the present custodians who owe so much to our people, including the reforms that were so easily achieved, become even higher. In reference to recent statements by one of the regime's military commanders, Karroubi added: "A so called economic sedition or conspiracy is only an excuse to embezzle the nation's wealth and blame others for our disastrous situation. This government has misused our enormous oil revenues. There has been hardly any focus on building the infrastructure of our society over the past few years. The government's inefficient spending policies have lead to wasted capital, an economic down turn, poverty and the reduction in the standard of living for our citizens. Today our nation is experiencing an unprecedented level of inflation and an extreme economic down turn."
Karroubi added: "Blaming our administrative and economic failures and the frustrations that have resulted from them on our people, the Green movement or foreign countries is only an excuse for not avoiding responsibilities. For 30 years the global arrogance was used as a means to justify our economic woes to our citizens. Now, according to their new interpretation [the ruling government's] the so called "sedition and the leaders of the sedition" have been added to this ever growing list of arrogant perpetrators!"
Karroubi reiterated: "These gentlemen must realize that our economic challenges are intertwined with people's daily lives. Today even the slightest change in the price of goods has an enormous effect on the lives of our citizens. These gentlemen still insist that the sanctions have no effect on our daily lives. Why is it then that according to the head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce the sanctions have led to a 30% increase in the cost of imports?"
Karroubi continued: "This gentlemen uses the term "economic sedition" as a license for the massive repression of our people who are complaining about ever rising prices. They [the government] are fully aware of the economic disaster that awaits the nation and conveniently refers to it as an "economic sedition" in the making. A few months ago, I accidentally witnessed a women being robbed on the street. Her purse was snatched and I found my self subconsciously looking for security officers in charge of that particular street. I say to these gentlemen, rather than suppressing our citizens and spending your time preventing people from being robbed in plain day light, focus on their security. Rather than addressing the nation's economic challenges, perhaps you should take a step towards ensuring security for our society by focus on the widespread use of drugs in our country and those who distribute it. If any statements are to be made regarding our economic situation, they should be made by the Economic Minister and the Head of the Central Bank and through the presentation of facts and evidence. They are unfortunately seeking to once again create a military and policed atmosphere, because they know that pressure is increasing on their government and the people are more likely to once again protest.
In response to claims by a gentlemen that "if it were not for the presence of the Supreme Leader, the followers and supporters of the revolution would have derailed the revolution by now", Karroubi stated: "These type of statements are detrimental to the ruling government. I believe these words were addressed mainly towards me and Mr. Hashemi. They seek to eliminate certain individuals from the revolution's history; this while these individuals have been present during ever phase of our revolution. They think they can make the presence of these individuals fade, but they are mistaken."
Karroubi added: "I believe that we can come to two conclusions based on this gentleman's remarks. First, that similar to Talha and Zubair [two eminent companions of the Holy Prophet Mohammad who pledged allegiance to Imam Ali but ended up defecting] the events that occurred after the revolution made it exceedingly more difficult for the supporters and followers of the revolution to continue on their path. Or second, that our country's fate has fallen in the hands of strangers and the unruly and the followers and supporters of the revolution stand against this derailing and diversion from the Islamic Republic. Just like Abu Dharr al-Ghafari [close companion of Prophet Mohammad and one of four early followers of Imam Ali]. It is up to the people to judge which of these interpretations is true and correct.
Karroubi, the Head of Etemad Meli Party, also touched upon the subject of referendum, the future of the Green movement, the derailment of the regime, the economic future of our country, and remarks by certain authorities.
Original Source of News: Tahavole Sabz http://tahavolesabz.com/item/8461
Translation from post on Kaleme http://www.kaleme.com/1389/07/26/klm-35601
Banooye Sabz
http://banooyesabzirani.blogspot.com/2010/10/karroubi-claims-of-economic-conspiracy.html
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