Iran: Nothing in common with those who excuse war

international | anti-war / imperialism | other press Thursday September 11, 2008 16:23 by pat c

Ben Lewis interviews a leading member of Iranian Students for Freedom and Equality who makes clear the Iranian students opposition to both US Imperialism and the Iranian Regime. Full text at link.

Some organisations in the west have said that US intervention could provide some sort of limited space to organise, in Iraq, for example. What do you think of this?

The United States talks about democracy in Iran and the Middle East to disguise its aim of expanding its influence and power in the region and to offset its financial problems. Oil supplies are another good reason to talk about democracy! But conditions in Iraq today are actually far worse even than under the horrible and torturous rule of Saddam Hussein.

"Our struggle is twofold: Fighting against internal oppression and external foreign threats."

Some in the British anti-war movement think that ‘civil society’ is blossoming in Iran and seem to hold illusions in the ‘reformist’ wing of the regime to bring about change. What is your experience of the ‘reformists’ in power and how do you think change can come about?

Both the reformists and the conservatives have shown that we should not expect any change from them. Let’s not forget that a ‘reformist’ government would still have to work within the framework of the islamic republic. The big issues cannot be addressed by a few superficial reforms; questions like economic hardship, religious ideology and oppression, the forced wearing of the hijab and so on can only be resolved by changing the whole structure of power.

During the anti-war, anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran last year, you said that the placard reading ‘Hands Off the People Of Iran’ was very well received. Could you say why?

As I have explained, students no longer have illusions in either ‘democratic’ war or reform. They were pleased with the solidarity of any group opposed to both the islamic republic and imperialist war. This may only be a slogan, but for the people of Iran it has real, concrete meaning. They are caught between totalitarianism and the threat of war and the slogan seemed to be talking about their own lives.

Hopi reflects our own thoughts and strategies. Its aims have so much in common with radical and leftwing students in Iran. We’ve been in touch with Hopi for more than a year now and worked together well, especially with the jailing of some of our comrades. We really would like to continue this relationship. Organisations like Hopi provide the best answer to imperialist bullying - the working class movement needs its own politics free of the influence of the imperialists and the theocrats, and this is why Hopi are our allies.