US WOULD SUPPORT IRANIAN’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MULLAHRCHY
By Nader Sadiqi*
WASHINGTON "Iranians must lead the rest of the Middle East region away from Islamist tyranny, since they have had the longest experience with it and the can be sure that they will have full American support in their struggle against the mullahcracy", a veteran and influential American scholar and political analyst and consultant assured.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Paris-based "Iran va
Jahan" (Iran and the World) website, Mr. Michael Ledeen, a
consultant and advisor to former American administrations added that "it
really is time for the Iranian people to show the world that they do not have to
be led in order to be free" and must free themselves from the present
authoritarian regime.
Below is the full interview as published by the website.
Q- Some people are confused about US President’s policy of branding Iran as part of "Axis of Evil" How would you address this confusion and explain Mr. Bush’s true intentions and policy?
A- First of all, the "Axis of evil" speech was quite explicit and remains the basis for American policy in the Middle East and elsewhere. It means that the American Government is determined to bring down the regimes of the terror states, such as Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Q- As a result of differences between State Department, National Security Council and Pentagon, it appears that Bush Doctrine has lost its way! And administration simply is in strategic confusion and cannot prioritise its policies in view of "Axis of Evil" rhetoric?
A- Yes, there are disagreements within the administration, as within any administration, indeed as within any family! It would be abnormal and unhealthy if they all agreed. The president should hear a full range of views. But there is no sympathy for the Iranian regime anywhere in the American government. I think some of our diplomats still believe that there is some hope for Khatami, but most do not think so.
That said, the doctrine does not come with a predetermined timetable, nor is there a guarantee of a particular method. Perhaps it will be necessary to use military power, perhaps not. Certainly President Bush would prefer to defeat the terror regimes without having to damage the people. As he sees it - and I think that all of the top Administration people see it this way - the people of Iran, Iraq, and North Korea would love to be free, and they are dreaming of the end of the tyrannies that oppress them.
Q- In your recent writings, you condemn ignorance of US and other Western journalists and the US State Department officials about the realities in Iran. In your view, should western media, as well as Bush Administration, pay urgent attention to deteriorating situation in Iran and provide an effective support to Iranian nation?
A- I think that we will soon see the leading officials of the American Government speaking frequently about Iran, condemning the regime, and supporting the legitimate demands of the Iranian people to be free. And I hope that these words will be accompanied by action.
Some ordinary Iranian assumes that their destiny is in somebody else's hands. But they can free themselves. They can be sure that they will have full American support in their struggle against the mullahcracy, and it really is time for the Iranian people to show the world that they do not have to be led in order to be free. They must lead the rest of the region away from Islamist tyranny, since they have had the longest experience with it.
Thank you Mr. Ledeen. ENDS LEDEEN INTERVIEW 2602
Editor’s note: Mr. Michael Ledeen is a Scholar for International Relations and Political Philosophy at American Enterprise Institute "AEI" for Public policy research.
He held number of posts in previous US administrations and was special adviser and consultant of State Department and Pentagon for number of years and has published many books in International relations such as "Tocqueville on American Character", "Machiavelli on Modern Leadership" ETC.
* Mr. Nader Sadiqi, is a recognised Iranian journalist and TV personality. He conducted this exclusive interview for the Paris-based Iranian website "Iran va Jahan", which published it on Wednesday 29 May 2002
*Highlights are from Iran Press Service