Monday, January 24, 2005

American Actions For Regime Change "Inevitable"

Iran Press Service:
Most Iranian and European diplomats are of the view that contrary to what many analysts thinks – and the Iranian hopes and works hard on that direction – there are no major divergences between Washington and its main European allies on the Iranian issue.

The Americans are preparing the fire, starting with psychological side effects. They have made statements and they have to carry them out. It takes our diplomacy a delicate balance with Europe to prevent the disaster”, warned Mr. Mohammad Soltanifar, the Editor of the English-language “Iran News” published by the official news agency IRNA in an interview with rival Students news agency ISNA on Saturday.

Like other analysts invited by ISNA to comment on President Bush’s inaugural statement, Mr. Soltanifar believes that Washington is preparing the ground for intervention in Iran , unless Tehran gives necessary and satisfactory assurances to its European partners.

“American policy on Iran is directly connected to the situation here. Washington has placed human rights ahead of nuclear issue and is widening horizons for (action against Iran)”, predicted Dr. Hermidas Bavand, a Tehran University professor, taking to ISNA.

Writing in the influential French daily “Le Monde”, Mr. Daniel Vernet, a respected political analyst also said that Washington is considering several scenarios for regime change in Iran.

Quoting Saturday informed American sources, Mr. Vernet said the Committee on Present Danger, CPD, the same one that prepared for the collapse of the Soviet empire, has urged Mr. Bush to offer the ruling ayatollahs, including the leader of the regime, Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i an “honorable way out” and help Iranian dissidents for a peaceful take over in Tehran.

In the view of this think tank, Reza Pahlavi, the 46 years-old son of the deposed Iranian monarch can be viewed as a possible future leader.

In recent interviews with the British media, including the BBC and the Sunday Telegraph, Mr. Pahlavi has strongly objected to any military intervention in his country.

“We don’t want a so-called freedom offered to us by American generals. This is against our national pride”, he told the Telegraph, adding that the international community, “instead of talking to a regime that is hated by the majority of the population, should support the Iranian people instead”.

Not only Mr Pahlavi rebuffs any sort of American intervention, but he also will not accept an American bombing of nuclear installations in Iran to pave the way for a popular uprising, arguing that this would “immediately strengthen the position of the Mullahs”. more