the time of this writing. The Revo- knee-jerk anti-clericalism. Islam rep- governments fell: first the Bazar- lutionary Guards did attack the resents a third force in the region, gan/Yazdi regime which was pre- offices of the People's Mojahedin one which is opposed to the interests sumed to be secretly pro-U.S. Organization of Iran (OMPI) and of both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. It (Ibrahim Yazdi's secret meeting with the OIPFG: the OMPI placed an would not have been able to make Zbigniew Brzezinski led many to armed guard around its office and the gains which it has made if it conclude that he was the CIA's succeeded in defending it, and while were wholly reactionary and main conduit in the Iranian inner the OIPFG headquarters were anachronistic. Obviously it is circle); then the "moderate" gov- indeed burned, that did not hold inadequate to the broader revolu- ernment of Abol-Hassan Bani-Sadr. back their growth and influence. tionary current and obviously it Now Khomeini's longtime loyalist, The OIPFG and the Workers Syn- imposes fetters on those very forces Sadegh Ghotbzadeh, is feeling the dicates jointly sponsored a Mayday which it releases — the clearest heat. demonstration which attracted examples are the repression of Thus far Khomeini himself has 500,000 people. During the last few women and homosexuals and sex- embraced the revolutionary fervor, weeks, huge crowds have marched uality in general. But the left brings and his public statements have all openly in Tehran under the banners no credit on itself for its failure to supported the students. Throughout of the OIPFG and OMPI in support understand what is positive in this the Middle East and Africa — from of the occupation of the U.S. Islamic movement and what is the Palestine and Eritrea to Western embassy. A few Trotskyists have basis of its appeal. Sahara and South Africa — been jailed, but the government has It is within this framework — not revolutionary anti-imperialist been forced to cancel scheduled outside it — that the boldest revo- movements have cabled their sup- executions. lutionary thrust to date has taken port, stressing the grave threat posed Despite these right-wing currents place: the students' seizure of the by the U.S. The revolutionary left there is a progressive side to the U.S. embassy, which is in its ninth in this country should not hesitate Islamic revival that is sweeping the week as we write. By taking the to join the chorus. Middle East which much of the embassy, the students let loose the January 5, 1980 U.S. left has failed to understand storm which was held back the and appreciate — largely due to its February before. Very quickly two

Documents of the Iranian

Revolutionary Movement

Below we reprint documents the lack of a revolutionary nation- ever, "the Islamic Republic," which from three of the armed wide organization of the working the narrow-minded clergy is striving revolutionary movements in Iran. class, it was the clergy who bene- for, is the canonic rule of a Moslem fited most from the opportunity for clergy leadership. This has been Excerpt from "On the Revolution," agitation and propaganda by its crystallized in the recent Constitu- translated from Kar (Labor), large-scale and direct contact with tion passed by the "Experts Assem- newspaper of the Organization of the masses through its traditional bly." This Islamic rule is in contra- Iranian People's Fedayee religious organization. Thus, using diction to imperialist domination; it the popular cry of "death to the Guerillas, December 1979. is also in contradiction to the existing Shah," they were able to direct the objective realities of Iranian society. All of these forces -- workers, revolutionary movement and mobi- The liberal Bourgeoisie, who peasants, students, craftsmen, mer- lize the masses under their own had been prevented by the chants, and soldiers — rose up leadership. Shah's dictatorship from roaring the slogans of "death to the The clergy, relying on the developing its social interests — Shah" and "death to imperialism." masses' religious beliefs and their namely, the exploitation of the There was a common cause and hatred of the Shah, and on the people — to its fullest potential, each was determined to remedy the upheaval created by an economic had asked for some reforms from existing situation in favor of their and political crisis, raised the motto his so-called Majesty. Immediately own socio-economic interests. of "Islamic Republic" as the only after the movement became But what were the results? Due to cure for the people's problems. How- widespread, the liberal Bourgeoisie

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takeover of the U.S. Embassy is in itself an anti-imperialist act, this After the Shah, it is the U.S. struggle should be deepened and intensified to the just demand of government's turn. ousting all imperialist elements from Iran and putting an end to their domination. On the other hand, now that the U.S. Government has been tried to interpret the motto of "Is- ian ministry of foreign affairs re- damaged, it sees the foregoing lamic Republic" according to its garding the admittance of the ex- events in opposition to its interests. own viewpoint and interests. For Shah to the United States, has re- If the ever-deepening process of some time they made an effort to sulted in the intensification of pop- popular anti-imperialist struggle intimidate the Shah with the threat ular protest against the U.S. govern- continues — a struggle which inher- of a mass "outburst," and thus gain ment. In the midst of this new ently demands a complete end to the some privileges for themselves. movement, during one of the dem- economic, political, military, and However, in the midst of mass up- onstrations in front of the U.S. cultural imperialist domination — risings, when the Shah's destiny be- Embassy in Tehran, a group of anti- this will not be tolerated by the U.S. came clear, they tried to take ad- imperialist students took over the Government. More economic, vantage of the narrow-minded cler- Embassy Compound and demanded political and even military pressures gy's fear of the Communist move- the extradition of the criminal Shah of the U.S. Government against the ment of Iran, and to represent of Iran. Iranian people are expected. If so, themselves as the experts to bring The various moves of the U.S. then it is only popular power and about the Islamic Republic, and thus government are now the main topic international solidarity which can take possession of power. of discussion on any street corner in resist to the end and defeat imperi- The liberal Bourgeoisie was fearful Iran. Wherever there is a discussion, alist invasion. Those who disregard of the scale of the revolutionary people talk about the takeover of or distort the sharp direction of the movement and since they themselves the U.S. Embassy and the necessity struggle against the main enemy, could not bring it under their of a deeper popular struggle against namely U.S. Imperialism and its control, they decided the best way the economic, political, military, and dependent capitalist class in Iran, would be for them to act and ap- cultural domination of imperialism. are not serving the immediate and pear religious and use every oppor- Our people have understood well basic interests of the Iranian people. tunity to put themselves into power. their revolutionary tasks, from the

The liberal Bourgeoisie, relying on days of the February uprising until

their methods of manipulation, now, and have crystallized it in the have sought and are seeking to con- slogan, "After the Shah, it is the tinue their reconciliatory policy, U.S. Government's turn." which is aimed at the revival of the Participation in this struggle is Excerpts from a speech by Masoud previous constitution without the not limited to this or that method Rajavy of the People's Mojahedin monarchy. This, in turn, would be or tactic. The struggle should be Organization of Iran (OMPI) on basic imperialist dependent organized in all possible and avail- May 25, 1979, a national day of capitalism. They are the ones able channels. Social protest against American Imperial- who for many years have advised consciousness should be deepened. ism, in commemoration of the Imperialism that the Shah should People should be organized. They martyred Mojahedin founders. be a king and not a tyrant. should be prepared for a long-term At this stage the narrow- bloody struggle against In today's gathering there is a minded clergy have adopted a imperialism and its lackeys, if delicate point which is full of depth policy of seeking to limit the necessary. It should be well and meaning, and that meaning is influence of the liberal understood that only those who the fact that whether it be our Bourgeoisie on governmental rely on their labor power have the gathering, or the other gatherings policies in order to compensate full potential to drive the revo- throughout the nation, one thing is for their own shortcomings and lutionary popular march of the absolutely clear and that is when to prevent their declining popular toiling masses to the very end of we are moving on the right path or support. its victorious goal. when we put our finger on the right Meanwhile the unexpected meet- We should well understand that point we all stand united. In this ing of ex-prime minister Bazargan, some reactionary and dependent point I mean the path or line of as the representative of the liberal capitalist tendencies will do their anti-imperialism or anti- Bourgeoisie, with Brzezinski, and best to exploit the revolutionary colonialism. . . . The secret behind the ongoing compromise between anti-imperialist and democratic our holy unity until yesterday was the U.S. government and the Iran- struggle of the people. While the "Down with the traitorous Shah!" and to-

3 day it is "Down with American Im- from their meagre wages, or the lah Khomeini as their leader and perialism!" . . . loans obtained by pawning their few the other organizations and political I would like to explain whom our possessions. Who was behind the parties. ... In short the aim of the revolution is against. Now after the Coup of 1953 in Iran? Who sent 10 "crafty doves" is to create a split victorious battle against the dic- million dollars to Ashraf Pahlavi in and force the people to fight each tatorial tyranny of the Shah's regime Geneva so she with Alien Dulles, the other. Their methods are more is over, the Imam Khomeini has head of American espionage, was destructive than even an atomic stated emphatically again and again able to build conspiracy against the bomb! The people do not fear the to the people, "We are in a stage of legal government of Dr. Mo- atomic bomb, because, the ones left anti-colonialism and anti- hammad Mossadeq and overthrow behind shall be more united and imperialism." This imperialism that it? Who organized the Savak? Who know their enemies — but what we talk so much about — well — built the prisons and torture cham- about the people who have no what is it? The simple definition is bers? And after all whose trademarks unity? ... "world-eater" and "the world-eaters" are on the tools and devices of A revolution is like a swift-flow- are the imperialists! Have you torture? By whose guns did our ing river; if it doesn't move forward heard of cannibals? Well, these mothers and our sisters fall in their it's certain to flow back, and will "world-eaters" are worse! In this hundreds and thousands on the stagnate in the middle. Just as there world there are two camps — one 17th Shahrivar? (The massacre of is no halt in the earth's movement, any pause or stoppage would be wrong. So if we don't go forward there won't be any other meaning A revolution is like a swift-flowing except we have gone back. So we have found a way of progress today, river; if it doesn't move forward it's in those clenched fists raised certain to flow back, and will stagnate against our main enemy. If we go in the middle. forward in this way we shall see "The weakest house is the house of the spider." We shall see that Impe- rialism has no cunning or deceit that can work on us, because their camp consists of imperialists, and in people praying in Jaleh Square on roots are not rooted in justice. This the other camp are the deprived na- the morning of Friday, September world is not without a day of tions and the people. There is no 8th, 1978.) And who started the fire reckoning, and justice will prevail. connection of relationship between in the Rex Cinema? (The Rex Injustice will end. these two camps except slavery and Cinema in Abadan was burnt down war. We are either held captive or with no survivors from the audience. rebel. In this connection there is no It was a Savak operation.) And who The resolution of the Kurdish dele- quarter given or mercy shown, they organized the cudgel-carrying gangs? gates, led by Ayatollah Sayed don't exist! Who are the guardians (Policemen and paid Shah supporters Ezeddin Hosseini of the Party of of these "world-eaters"? Look at the would club to death wounded people the Toiling Masses, presented to four corners of the world today and in hospitals and attack the government of Iran and you will understand! Who in recent demonstrations to cover the excuse Ayatollah Taleghani, March 23, years had slaughtered one million for soldiers opening fire.) And who 1979. people in Indonesia? Who are the ones who plundered and slaughtered three million in Viet- carried off our oil? From 1974-1976 In the name of the merciful and Nam? Who slaughtered tens of the sales of guns to Iran increased generous God: thousands in Chile? Who put his seven-fold! . . . The Iranian Islamic Revolution, illegitimate baby in the Middle East, The American political plans to with the character of anti-imperial- that today is causing so much trigger a civil war shall start in the ism and anti-dictatorship, has passed bloodshed? Whose hands are behind following ways. First, to incite the through an important stage in de- South Africa? And who is destroying national minorities like the Kurds, feating the dictatorial monarchy. the roofs over the heads of the black Arabs, and Baluch, against Farsi- Yet, the attainment of its principal people? Who was behind the ones speaking Iranians. Then to start goals are to be achieved by contin- who destroyed the houses of the agitation in the autonomous regions. . uing the struggle of all national people — here in the South of . . Secondly, starting feuds and progressive forces throughout Tehran. It didn't matter to them at between the different revolutionary the country. With regard to this all, how these houses had been groups, especially between the Is- fact, the Kurdish people, from the built, the hardship entailed saving lamic revolutionaries with Ayatol- beginning, have insisted that the com-

4 plete vindication of their national right, they oppose any plan for con- against the imperialist powers and rights be recognized as a part of sidering secession. all types of dependency upon the these principal goals of the Iranian 1. The right of self-determination international and regional expan- revolution. However, in spite of the implies the establishment of the sionist powers, the support of insistence and urging of the Kurdish cultural, political, and economic liberation movements of the people, and despite the necessity and sovereignty for the people in their oppressed masses, and the friendly the priority felt by everyone in this historical territory. Related to this is cooperation with all countries regard, the resolution of this matter the fact that recognition of this right which recognize the right to the is being postponed. Thus, Kurdish will provide and guarantee national independence and sovereignty of delegates, from urban and rural areas unity and integrity. Iran, will be administered by the of Kurdistan, have gathered in 2. Politically, the autonomous central government. Sanandaj and are negotiating with government should be elected by 6. The elimination of all forms the delegates, fully authorized by the Kurdish people themselves, should and manifestations of cultural op- revolutionary leader, Ayatollah administer the political and official pression, which guarantees Khomeini, and led by Ayatollah power in Kurdistan, and should freedom and respect for religion, Taleghani, and representatives of the participate in the central government language, customs, traditions, and provisional government of the in unity with the other Iranian beliefs of all Iranian nationalities. Islamic Revolution, led by Mr. Hajj nationalities having equal rights. The Kurdish language should be Seyed Javad, the Minister of Interior. 3. The severance of military de- recognized as the official language Once again, the delegates feel it pendency on imperialist countries in all educational, official, and necessary to announce their full and all foreign expansionist powers, social institutions of the Kurdistan support for all eight demands drafted and the establishment of a people's territory, however noting and by the Kurdish delegates in Ma- army throughout Iran which would emphasizing the point that the habad and supported by millions be administered by the central gov- Persian language will remain, as ernment in order to protect the previously, the official language throughout Iran. 7. The development of agricul- ture and industry in Kurdistan and The right of self-determination implies the provision of such a priority such that it guarantees the .recovery the establishment of the cultural, po- from backwardness which has litical, and economic sovereignty for the stemmed from national oppression; people in their historical territory and the total severance of the co- lonial and imperialist economic in- fluence throughout the country and its basis in Kurdistan. of Kurdish people in all the cities borders and the achievements of 8. The provisional government of and villages of Kurdistan which the revolution. the Islamic revolution is expected were submitted to the central gov- 4. The establishment of a security to refrain from any contact, nego- ernment. They further proclaim force of people under the super- tiation, and compromise with reac- their repeated support for the Aya- vision of the autonomous govern- tionary opportunist agents with re- tollah Khomeini's leadership and for ment of Kurdistan would be re- gard to the resolution of problems the government of Mr. Bazargan. sponsible for internal security and related to the Kurds and Kurdistan; They also feel it necessary to re- order and would replace the pre- and note that the resolution of the emphasize and repeat that while vious police and gendarme. people's principal problems is only they consider that the undeniable 5. The foreign policy, the princi- possible within the framework of and uncompromisible principle of ples of which can be summarized as fraternal agreement and under- the right to self-determination is the protection of the independence standing between the people's their, and all other nations', natural and integrity of Iran, the struggle representatives.

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