Iran: Political Activists to Steer Clear of Possible US Funding

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com

5 Article Summaries also in my Journal.


1//Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. Apr 4, 2006

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HD06Ak02.html



IRAN: POLITICAL ACTIVISTS TO STEER CLEAR OF POSSIBLE U.S. FUNDING

By Golnaz Esfandiari

While gauging public opinion can be a tall order in Iran, many of those who have spoken out so far say they are keen to maintain their independence, and this includes American money to continue their efforts to promote democracy in Iran.

The Bush administration has US$75 million in emergency funding to promote democracy in Iran, in addition to $10 million already budgeted.

Mohammad Ali Dadkhah is a co-founder of the Center for Human Rights Defenders. Dadkhah tells RFE/RL that democratic changes should come from inside the country - without outside interference. "Democracy is not a product that we can import from another country," Dadkhah said. "We have to prepare the ground for it so that it can grow and bear fruit - especially because independent and national forces, and also self-reliant forces, in Iran will never accept a foreign country telling them what to do and which way to take."

The proposed US aid would include $25 million to support "political dissidents, labor union leaders, and human-rights activists" in additional to non-governmental groups outside Iran. The declared aim is to allow them to build support inside the country.

The US administration also wants $50 million to set up round-the-clock television broadcasting in Persian to beam into Iran. Another $5 million is aimed at allowing Iranian students and scholars to study in the US. And $15 million is earmarked for other measures, such as expanding Internet access, which is tightly controlled in Iran.

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Independent opposition


A loose alliance of political activists and intellectuals calling itself the Independent Iranian Opposition has issued a statement declaring that "only the people will determine Iran's fate". It added that the independent Iranian opposition had always battled with no expectation of financial assistance from "interested foreign powers". It also pledged that members would continue their efforts until a "free, independent and democratic Iran" emerged.

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