TANTER: Deciding the fate of the Mujahedin

The West is appeasing the Iranian Regime for the past 25 years. Mr. Jack Straw from UK, Mr. Chirac from France and State Departement Mr. Richard Armitage and his supporters here in US like Mr. Gary Sick, Congressman Bob Ney and Senator Jospeh Biden. What is the result of all these compromises, negotiation and appeasement? It is some crazy guy like Ahmadinejad. This is doing the same thing that happen in WWII with Mr. Chamberlin and how he reacted toward Hitler. Sometimes worst that Hitler and dictator like him are people who appease dictator and provide some sort of reason for their crime or their own inaction. Problem in today's world for Islamic Fundamentlism and Terrorist like Ahmadinejad. Terrorim is coming from Iranian goverment we see that in Iraq every day. All I can say is shame, shame and shame on the appeasment policy. Unless we have a stronge policy against Islamic Fundamentalism and terrorist like Ahmadinejad, we will have all these problem. Regime change is the only solution. No War and No Appeasment, the 3rd option of regime change by Iranian People and their democratic representatives.

Wonderful Mr. Tanter.West has underestimated the danger of fundamentalist so far, that is why people of the region had to suffer so much ,Also West had to pay such a high price for dealing with distraction created by mullah’s. Now it is time to be serious and take action against mullah’s in Iran, The Best way to do this, is recognizing Iranian’s right to change their fascist government ,and at the same time West should have good relations with the popular Iranian main opposition PMOI/MEK. Also I want to express my respect to Iranians that are in front of UN (NY)to show their support for people of Ashraf city in Iraq.

As an Iranian-American, the only thing that I can add to this accurate analysis by Mr. Tanter is a side note on how the listing of PMOI is not working anymore. Designation of PMOI from day one in 1997, was on one hand to send the new elected Khatami a signal of "good will", and on the other to tell people here in US that supporting PMOI can not be done without some sort of a worry or fear. Everyone knows that there was never any proof of PMOI having taken part in any terrorist activities. Many Iranians abroad, along with many of their friends in U.S. have not been deterred by this bogus designation and just this last June close to 70,000 supporters of Mujahedin, including hundreds of politicians and dignitaries from the world over, many from U.S., participated in a rally in France to show their support for Mujahedin and people of Ashraf. Secretary Rice, in addition to her legal obligation in delisting the PMOI, should now note that the listing is not functioning anymore and it will not deter Iranian-Americans in US to announce that they support Mojahedin, just as we did in front of the White House last week. I am sure that Mrs. Secretary realizes that for each of us who had shown up in front of the White House, there are hundreds that silently support PMOI. Hamid

Good article, hope to read more from this writer.

I would like to thank Mr.Tanter for his great article. As you mentioned in your article the best and most viable option regarding how to deal with the terrorist Iranianan government is a democratic change by the Iranian people. Iranian people are very fortunate to have a popular and well organized democratic opposition ( MEK ). MEK and its members in Ashraf city -Iraq are the only hope for a democratic change in Iran. United States should recognize them and as long as U.S. forces are in Iraq they have to protect Ahraf city residents under International laws.

Thank you for your good article MEK and Mojahedin in Ashraf City are freedom fighters, and they are the main opposition against the Mullahs regime. They are the only ones to free Iran from the Mullahs without causing war. We should strongly support them and we must do something to protect them from Mullahs Regimes and their partners.

Dear Professor Tanter, Thank you for this article! I found it to be a great reference example for anyone interested in understanding the root cause of challenges faced by Iraqi and Iranian people hoping for a democracy and development. Without Freedom no development will be sustainable. Iranian regime risks to security, peace, stability, democracy and development of any community in Middle-East who dares to resist and standup for freedom and development is evident through the surge in Iran's terrorists activities, meddling in the internal affairs of countries in the region, specially Iraq and more specifically in recent weeks, the fate of unarmed residents of Ashraf. The brief background on this issue and all the relevant facts, risks and logical options you listed is so educational and timely, specially from the perspective of Iranian people who tirelessly hoping and looking forward to a free and developing Iran. It feels like you understand’ Iranian and Iraqi people’s pain and the strategic danger of keeping PMOI/MEK in the Terror list. I wish I could find a way to reach Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and let her know the huge set of humanitarian, political, economical and environmental values that can be gained by acknowledging Iranian people's right to resist and organize for a democratic change led by PMOI or MEK. In my opinion, it would be like setting a great logical and practical US foreign policy example. It is a great demonstration of empowering people and letting the people of a country bring democracy to their own country- without requiring war and invasion. My great grand father, about 100 years ago struggled for the democratic principles in Iran. The great grandfather of the same Mullahs in power back then , would set any school that would open up for girls to get basic education and awareness of their rights. Now, the safety of residents of Ashraf, as the symbol of this 100 year old struggle and call for a “government of people” , democracy, is one recent front of a war Iranian regime(theocratic rule of unpopular and unelected mullahs) has imposed on Iranians over the past 28 years. It is a great example of why it takes a well orchestrated, decisive multi-national humanitarian and political effort to isolate Iranian regime, hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity and offer moral and legal support to Iranian oppositions who are willing and determined to pay any price for a democratic change and a strong chance for a safer and better future. Again, thank you, and God bless you for speaking the truth.

Thank you Professor Tanter. It is high time the MEK are removed from the US list of foreign terror organizations. They should have never been there in the first place.

Prof. Tanter, thank you for your article. I hope the US politicians take note.

Very true Professor Tanter. By delisting MEK/PMOI, US will send a strong signal to Tehran that the new option is on the table: democratic change by the Iranian people and their organized resistance led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. Mitra from California

Thank you very much for your support for the main Iranian Resistence. I am sure all the works within Iran for freedom and outside of Iran will bring freedom and democratic change to Iran.

Right on Professor Tanter and thank you for your support of Iranian Resistance ( MEK ) and writting this nice article. World should wake up and smell the danger of Islamic Fundamentalism and source of it ( Iranian Regime ) and importance of supporting Iranian Resistance ( MEK ). Delisting of the Mojahedeen e Khalg (MEK) from State Department's Terrorist List would be a first positive step toward democracy in Iran and eliminating the source of Terror in the world which is the current regime of Iran.