ONWARDS WITH THE IRANIAN RESISTANCE REGIME CHANGE WITHIN REACH Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) A Special Report Prepared By The Washington Times Advocacy Department And The U.S. Foundation For Liberty And Human Rights Iranian dissidents rally in France for the overthrow of Iran’s theocracy BY THE WASHINGTON TIMES VILLEPINTE, France — Thousands of supporters of an Iranian dissident group rallied here Saturday for the overthrow of Tehran’s theocratic regime at an event that featured speeches by several Trump admin- istration allies — including Newt Gingrich and Rudolph W. Giuliani — as well as the former head of Saudi intelligence. The boisterous event, held annually in this town just north of Paris, was organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a France-based group of Iranian exiles that brings dozens of current and former U.S., European and Middle Eastern officials together to speak out in support of regime change in Tehran. While the Trump administration’s pos- ture on the issue is elusive, Mr. Giuliani drew loud cheers by asserting that the new U.S. president’s view is far different from that of his predecessor, who led world pow- ers to ease sanctions on the Islamic republic with the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord. PHOTO:TME Mr. Trump is “laser-focused on the a cheering crowd of tens of thousands welcomed National Council of Resistance of Iran President-elect Maryam Rajavi to the July 1 Free danger of Iran to the freedom of the world,” Iran Rally. NT e said Mr. Giuliani, who was perceived by many at the rally to be an emissary for Mr. RTM a P Trump despite holding no formal Cabinet regime change in Iran — the Middle East’s “Overthrow is possible and within Iranian public,” said Ramesh Sepehrrad, a de position in the administration. Shiite powerhouse and Riyadh’s main rival. reach,” she said. “Iranian society is simmer- longtime Iranian-American women’s rights y C Unlike the Obama administration, Mr. Prince Turki bin Faisal’s appearance ing with discontent, and the international activist who works with George Mason a Trump “is not in a state of denial” on Iran, prompted speculation that the Saudis may community is finally getting closer to the University’s School of Conflict Analysis VOC the former New York City mayor said. even have helped finance the rally, although reality that appeasing the ruling theocracy and Resolution. ad “Iran must be free,” said Mr. Gingrich, organizers flatly denied that, asserting in- is misguided. Ms. Sepehrrad told a panel ahead of es a former House speaker who rallied the stead that funding for the National Council “The only solution is regime change,” the rally that it is difficult to measure the crowd by condemning Tehran’s record of of Resistance of Iran comes entirely in the said Mrs. Rajavi, who has led the National council’s popularity inside Iran because human rights abuses. form of donations from Iranians who are Council of Resistance of Iran since its the “regime has made the price very, very The two, who were advisers to Mr. disgusted with the government in Tehran... founder — her husband, Massoud Rajavi high for the Iranian people to express their HINGTON TIM HINGTON Trump’s election campaign, headed a U.S. The rally was a marathon of speeches — went into hiding in 2003. support” for the movement. AS delegation that included several former and musical performances... In attendance In an email interview with The Wash- “Thousands of their supporters and W Democratic lawmakers as well as three were more than a dozen current and for- ington Times last year, she said the organi- their family members have been executed e active Republican congressmen — Reps. mer officials from EU nations, including zation “represent[s] the voice of millions of and imprisoned by the regime,” she said. TH y Ted Poe of Texas, Thomas A. Garrett Jr. former French Foreign Minister Bernard Iranians who are being oppressed in their Shahin Gobadi, a member of the Na- B of Virginia and Robert Pittenger of North Kouchner.... country and who seek regime change and tional Council of Resistance of Iran’s for- ed R a Carolina. The most aggressive speech came from the establishment of a democratic, pluralist eign affairs committee, said the group has P e But it was an appearance by Prince Turki Maryam Rajavi, leader of the National and non-nuclear government based on the become more active inside Iran over the bin Faisal Al Saud, the former longtime Council of Resistance of Iran, who con- separation of religion and state.” past year. “People are realizing more and Saudi intelligence chief, that may have demned the “religious dictatorship” of Supporters of the council say it is the more, especially young people, that regime PORT PR PORT been the most significant part of the rally. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khame- most influential organization on the Iranian change is the only answer,” Mr. Gobadi told e R “I salute you,” said the prince, who was nei, and asserted that the regime is run opposition landscape. The Times. al in attendance for the second year in a row. by “executioners” who have imprisoned No one in the Iranian opposition “stands This excerpt is from a Washington Times CI e His presence suggested that Saudi Arabia’s or killed tens of thousands of opposition out the way the NCRI stands out” in terms staff-written news article that first published P s Sunni Muslim monarchy openly supports figures since coming to power in 1979.... of their “day to day engagement with the on July 1, 2017. a THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON | Cheryl Wetzstein Larry T. Beasley David Dadisman Andrea Hutchins SPECIAL SECTIONS MANAGER PRESIDENT AND CEO GENERAL MANAGER SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Advertising Department: Thomas P. McDevitt Adam VerCammen Patrick Crofoot 202-636-3062 CHAIRMAN DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING & SALES SUPERVISOR, GRAPHICS Special Sections are multipage tabloid products that run in The Washington Times daily newspaper and are posted online and in PDF form onits website. Sponsors and advertisers collaborate with The Times’ advertising and marketing departments to highlight a variety of issues and events, such as The Power of Prayer, North Korea’s Tuesday • July 18 • 2017 • July Tuesday Nuclear Threat, Gun Rights Policy Conference and Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans. Unless otherwise identified, Special Sections areprepared separately 2 ADVOCACY/SPECIAL SECTIONS and without involvement from the Times’ newsroom and editorial staff. ‘A freer Iran is on the horizon’ Rudy Giuliani can cut them off of support around the world. And time has come for regime I am so overjoyed by the focus of this change in Iran…. conference, the theme of this confer- Not only do we have regime change, ence, the hashtag of this conference. but we have an alternative, and that #Free Iran. alternative is you. It’s a democratic al- It’s been a long road, and there is ternative. It’s a force for change. It’s well still a few more miles to travel. And the organized. It has popular support. And road has been littered by the blood of it has a vast network of supporters. And your sons and daughters, fathers and whoever doesn’t believe that, I ask them mothers, relatives and friends. That book to do two things: Take a look at how contains 20,000. There have been over many of your fellow compatriots are 120,000 that have been martyred. ... So murdered by the regime. Think of how let’s just take a moment to think about frightened the regime in Iran is of the them because we wouldn’t be here today MEK. That will tell you how strong you without them. We also wouldn’t be here are.... And second, supporting the MEK today without the leadership of Madame is one of the reasons and one of the ways Rajavi through the difficult times and the to break that loose under the leadership good times and the horrible times. She of a great hero, Madame Rajavi. has always remained hopeful that we I truly believe ... that a freer Iran is on could stand up and say free Iran. PHOTO: TME the horizon. But I’m happiest to be here Under President Trump’s leadership, I because finally I can say, and I can prob- believe he can help us rid the Iranian peo- the theme of your conference: a free Iran, and I hear the name Rouhani, I think of ably say this with a good deal of author- ple of the oppression that has subjected built on the principles that we all share…. the fact that he has actually killed more ity, that the government of the United them for so long. You only need to read You stand for freedom of religion, you people in Iran than Ahmadinejad. He is States supports you, we’re behind you, his speech in Saudi Arabia to see that he stand for freedom for women, you stand a complete phony. He presents a moder- we agree with your values…. And finally, is laser-focused on the danger of Iran, not for free elections, you stand for the rule ate image to the world and to the Iranian I can stand here and say to you, I, my just to the freedom of the region, but the of law, you stand for respecting human people he is a violent, vicious murderer, government and your leadership, we see freedom of the world. He understands dignity and human rights. That’s what so they’re afraid of him.