House Majority Calls for A Unified Effort To Isolate Tehran Regime, Support Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi

NCR, July 23 - A majority in the United States House of Representatives reaffirmed the need for the United States to continue with its determined policy towards the Iranian regime and encourage democratic change in Iran, by supporting the Resistance's President-elect, Maryam RajaviŠ

In a statement signed by 225 members of the House of Representatives, the lawmakers added that the Iranian regime directs the most active terrorist network around the globe and that despite international pressure, continues its barbaric crimes against humanity.

The signatories include 10 committee chairmen, 10 committee ranking members, 37 subcommittee chairs, and 38 subcommittee ranking members. The statement says: "The Iranian regime has not only continued to abuse the human rights of its own people, but it has also continued to procure nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from around the world. Already, long range missiles and 'super' mortars have been used in attacks on the opposition National Liberation Army. Without immediate action, the United States could face an Iran armed with weapons of mass destruction."

The statement adds: "A clear line must be drawn between the Iranian people and the crimes of the ruling theocracy. Support for advocates of democracy such as the Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi would contribute to peace and stability in the region. This resistance has called for free and fair elections under the auspices of the United Nations and the creation of a democratic, secular, pluralist government......

Reuters, July 23, Washington - Underlining U.S. concern over Iran, more than 200 members of the U.S. House of Representatives called for a tougher global policy against Teheran on Wednesday, in particular urging a more aggressive policy from European states.

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, and Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, formally released a "Statement on Iran" signed by 222 members of Congress which they said would be sent to President Bill Clinton.

The statement declared: "The time has come for a unified effort to isolate the Teheran regime" and urged European countries to follow the tough line by Washington, which has imposed tight economic sanctions on Iran. Ros-Lehtinen also told reporters that those "interested in seeing real change in Iran" should begin talking and working with pro-democracy opposition groups such as the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

A spokesman for the group in Washington lauded the House statement and said it went far beyond previous congressional efforts with its explicit call for support of democratic resistance movements challenging Iran's regime.

Dow Jones News, July 23 - Several members of Congress on Wednesday released a letter to President Clinton signed by 222 U.S. House members, calling on the administration to keep its tough sanctions policy on Iran and do more to encourage Europe to join this effort.

At a press conferenceŠthe members said that U.S. sanctions on Iran aren't enough to change Iranian behavior and promote democracy. Reps. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., and James Traficant, D-Ohio, called on the U.S. State Department to do more to condemn Iranian terrorism, economically isolate Iran and encourage democratic government in that country.

The members also called on the State Department to begin talking to and working with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, an opposition group not recognized by the administration.

The members of Congress complained that the recent election of Mohammad Khatami in Iran, a so-called moderate, brings Iran no closer to changing its policies....

Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA), July 23 - A majority of the members of the US House of Representatives signed a non-binding resolution Wednesday, calling for tougher action against Iran for its support of terrorism, including sweeping sanctions on all trade.

Congressman Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, also called for the United States to support internal opposition to the Islamic regime. He said the most viable opposition group is the National Council of Resistance (NCR), which is dominated by the People's Mojahedin Organization of IranŠ. A Republican member of Congress, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, said: "The Iranian government will only change its policies and allow democratic reforms when we form a united global front. The Iranian regime remains one of the biggest sponsors of international terrorism in the world. This wave of terrorism must be stopped. Helping the Iranian people build democratic institutions in Iran is the surest way to end this rampant aggression."

U.S. Congress supports Maryam Rajavi to isolate Iran

Sheehan weekly, Jordan, July 26 - In a surprising development, contrary to all the expectations which recently, particularly with the election of the moderate Mohammad Khatami to presidency after he dealt defeat to the hard-liner Ali Nateq Nouri, pointed to the possibility of improvement of Iranian relations with the United States, the majority of members of the U.S. Congress emphasized the need for the U.S. to continue its firm policy against the Iranian regime and encourage democratic change in Iran by supporting the Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi.

The unexpected Congressional statement, signed by 220 members of the Congress, reads in part: "The Iranian regime continues to violate human rights, promote acts of terrorism, and threaten the Middle East and the world." They urge their government to adopt a determined policy and simultaneously continue a unified effort to oppose the present regime and encourage democratic change in Iran because the Iranian regime runs the most active terrorist network in the world and despite worldwide pressure, it continues to commit horrible crimes against humanity.

The U.S. Congressional statement points out that recently, members of the Iranian regime were accused of having connections to those suspected in the bombing of the U.S. servicemen's barracks at Al Khobar. The Congressional statement claims that Iran continues to try to procure nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from around the world and urges immediate action by the United States before Iran is armed with weapons of mass destruction.

This statement urges the government of the United States to support Mrs. Maryam Rajavi who is described as an advocate of democracy, and says this would contribute to peace and stability in the region.

The declaration says that time has come for a unified effort to isolate the Tehran regime. The United States has taken the initiative with a decisive approach. In light of the Berlin court decision and other recent developments, our European allies would do well to abandon their "critical dialogue" and follow the United States' lead.

It is pointed out that this is the first time that the U.S. Congress is explicitly referring to absolute support for Mrs. Rajavi...

DOMESTIC

Executions

Lahijan, northern Iran, July 4 - Hossein Khorssand, a conscript soldier who had served in the army for 15 months, was executed in Malek Ashtar prison in Lahijan. The reason for his execution was officially announced to be "moral issues," but Hossein is said to have opposed the regime.

Arrests

Marand, E. Azerbaijan, July 6 - The State Security Forces raided "Bazi-shahr" park and harassed the youth. Twenty were arrested for "having not observed the principles of Islam."

Poverty

Salam, Letter to the Editor, July 15 - I swear to God that I am sick and tired and cannot continue living like this. How can I remain silent, when I do not have a job and live in a rented house. To earn the living for my wife and five children, I had to sell the furniture, so much that we have become deprived of the most basic necessities of life.

How can I remain silent when I have to evacuate our residence by August, and I do not afford to pay the deposit and rent for another place.

How can I remain silent when my children are very talented, but for reason stated above, they are deprived of the opportunity for education. When the Education Department does not give any support to these type of individuals, is it right to expect the present generation to welcome every hardship in the hope that the future generations would reap the fruits of today's efforts? We are negligent of the fact that the future generations might be even more deprived.

Internal feuding

Reuters, July 21 - Iran's president-elect Mohammad Khatami in his first televised report to the nation said at the weekend he would choose people who were "powerful, innovative, fresh-minded and devoted to the country's development, justice and independence".

The former culture minister also called on all Iranians to respect the vote of the majority .

The 270-member national assembly holds power of veto over Khatami's cabinet selection and could block some of the more liberal-minded technocrats and centrists who were instrumental in securing his election, political sources said. Iranian newspapers have said Khatami was being pressured by conservatives demanding they be consulted over the choice of ministers.

Khatami, due to be sworn in on August 3, has said he would look beyond factional barriers in picking his cabinet.

Jomhouri Islami daily, July 24 - In the sidelines of the parliamentary ceremony honoring Rafsanjani: The head of the Judiciary Branch, Mohammad Yazdi, did not take part in the ceremony despite official invitation.

AFP, July 23 - The Iranian press wrote that the conservative led parliament banned presence of domestic and foreign reporters in the parliament. The decision was made "to prevent continuous comings and goings" in the corridors to contact the deputies. So far, the reporters had been allowed to walk in the corridors and ask questions from the parliamentary deputies.

Economy

Pejvak, Farsi language radio, Sweden, July 23 - Iran will face serious economic problems should it not join the World Trade Organization. Fereydoun Entezari, director for international relations in the Ministry of Industries and Mines, announced this and said, "Communications and technology are becoming universal. The countries remaining out of this trend will lose a lot... " Iran requested membership in the World Trade Organization, but was rejected due to the United States' opposition. The U.S. considers the Islamic Republic as a state sponsor of international terrorism and seeks to isolate Iran on the international level.

Foreign relations

AFP, July 23 - Rafsanjani once again called on the Muslim countries of the world to deprive America of their oil. He said if the United States were to be deprived of the Persian Gulf oil for six months, it would be hard pressed to guarantee her own security. Rafsanjani added that 52 Muslim countries are located in some of the most sensitive parts of the globe and they deserve to exert their influence on the world.

Back Home