May 26, 2002 No.384
Iranian Dissident to Khamenei: 'You Are An Evil Ruler'
Muhammad Muhsen Sazgara, one of the founders of the
'Revolutionary Guards' [Sepah-I-Pasdaran], the owner of a
publishing house, and publisher of three papers closed by the
Iranian regime, is today one of the leading critics of the Iranian
regime.[1] Recently Sazgara published a personal letter to Iran's
supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei[2], in which he criticizes
Iran's foreign, education, economic, and internal policies and
refers to Khamenei as "an evil ruler." The following are excerpts
from the letter:
Isolationist Foreign Policy "Your policy is built on creating
enemies and continuing [old] enmities. It is based on the
assumption that international enemies are trying day and night to
overthrow the Iranian regime¦ As a result, Iran has become an
isolated country, at a time that we need good relations with the
rest of the world."
Oppressive Education Policy
"[Y]our polarization theory is that Iran has opened, through its
Islamic Revolution, a new path for mankind¦ and for this reason
the materialistic world is plotting against the Iranian revolutionary
culture, and is trying to destroy its spiritual values and¦ the
belief in Islam and the Islamic Republic¦"
"Based on this assumption the [Iranian] government justifies
interfering in all cultural affairs in the country. The government
has a monopoly on dissemination of information and it controls
the thoughts of the people and their right to speak¦"
"The fact is that mankind is neither drowning in corruption and
decadence nor are we [the Iranians] so pure and holy. We are a
nation like other nations, a country like other countries. With deep
humility we have to know that we need to learn. Your policies
allow the government to interfere in all facets of people's lives,
and more importantly, have blocked our cultural interaction with
other nations, so we are suffering political and cultural isolation,
in the age of information and communication."
Repressive Domestic Policies
"[A]ll military, security, legislative, judicial, and cultural affairs
and even daily budgetary matters, have to be handled in
accordance with the wishes of one individual, and if it is against
your wishes it has to change [to suit them]. In democratic societies
the opposition - regardless how small - has the right to speak, but
in Iran even if they are the majority, they do not have the right to
speak¦"
"[A]nyone opposing you is serving - knowingly or unknowingly -
[foreign interests] and therefore should be stopped, either by force
or through imprisonment by court action¦"
Failed Economic Policies
"Huge foundations such as [The Mustaz'afin Fund] with billions
upon billions of tummans [Iranian currency] is entirely under your
exclusive control¦ hundreds of institutions are controlled by the
government or by government appointees¦"
"The country's gross income is 70% of what it was in 1977 [two
years before the Shah was dethroned] and capital investment has
been reduced to 40% of what it was in 1977. Unemployment is at
a record high and the inflation rate is one of the highest in the
world..."
"The Iranian economy is close to disaster. Taking into account
that we have one of the youngest populations in the world on
average - this disaster becomes a catastrophe."
"You have to start with yourself: Economic foundations under
your control must revert to ownership by the people, and other
foundations and monopolies connected to the government must
also revert to the people. Isolationist economic policies are
inviting disaster. We have to interact with the world. This is not
the time for us to go behind closed doors and borders¦"
"To save the economy we have no choice but to create a
democracy as well as cultural, political, and economic interaction
with the world. The first step in this direction is to give the control
over the economy and over the foundations to the people, and
eliminate government interference in people's lives."
"If you do not see any necessity in any of this, look at the
dimensions of the current economic disaster in the country and at
the poverty and hunger of the people, and the destiny of millions
of unemployed youth¦ Look today because tomorrow may be too
late¦"
A Personal Address
"Mr. Khamenei,[3] I am not afraid of you and should not be,
because I believe in Allah and his power. We are all under his
domain and he is the one who runs the universe. But you have to
rule in such a way that no one in this country will be afraid of
you."
"As we have learned from the leaders of our religion: The weakest
should be able to tell you what they want without stuttering or
fear, and ask for justice. If you act contrary to this, you are guilty
of cruelty against the right of the people. Threats of imprisonment
and intimidation of the people when they criticize you do not
become you. This is the style of evil rulers and cruel kings. Let us
not forget that we are all followers of the Prophet, who said: 'The
best Jihad is saying words of truth to an evil ruler¦'"
[1] Sazgara's publishing house is "Contemporary Society"
("Jame'e Emrooz"). The names of the papers are: "Society"
["Jame'e"], "Joy" ["Neshat"], and "Toos," taken from the name of
a village near Mashhad, the birthplace of Ferdowsi, the renowned
Iranian national poet of the 11th century.
[2] www.iran-emrooz.de/khabar/sazgara810209.html.
[3] Sazgara refrains from addressing Khamenei by his religious
title Ayatollah. It is noteworthy that Khamenei was granted this
title when he was nominated supreme leader, because he did not
possess the religious rank that is needed for the position.
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