Re: [Marxism] "Iran's Ahmadinejad says Holocaust a myth"

["Mahmood ketabchi" <mekchi@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wayne Wrote:

"What I wrote was not directed at Iranian Leftists - if you're involved
in workers struggles in Iran, and if the presence of the organized
proletariat in the country has regrouped since the persecutions
following the theocratic betrayals of the 1979 revolution, then I
sincerely hope for victory for you and them.

My target was not Iranians at all- it was Marxists in imperialist
countries, where criticism of the Iranian regime at this point plays
directly into the hands of imperialism and its concerted and well known
desire to subjugate the Iranian people beneath its boot heel.  Although
I've read a bit on Iran, I am not qualified to give advice to the
Iranian Left.  My position, for clarity's sake, is that it is the duty
of Marxists in the *West* to oppose imperialist slander and attack,
which is made with the ulterior motive of war, and make the case that a
US occupation of Iran would not be a preferable alternative (especially
given the example of Iraq).

In that there is an Iranian Left capable of overthrowing the clerical
regime, I am in solidarity with it; my impression, which may be
mistaken, was that there most manifestly was *not*.  But for those of
us in the "belly of the beast," going along with the attacks on
Ahmadinejad means in a very real sense playing directly into the hands
of imperialism and bolstering their case for an invasion and "regime
change."  Any opposition to the regime must be based upon concrete
forces in Iran that are absolutely and unconditionally against any US,
Israeli or other foreign intervention in Iranian affairs.

I hope I've clarified what I think is a misunderstanding.  I don't
think the Iranian Left "has" to tolerate the regime in any way; but in
lieu of a real popular uprising, the American and other Western Lefts
do."

Mahmood Wrote:
I do not divide Marxists and communist movements based on their nationality. 
"Workers have no country" is a well established tradition within working class 
movements.   We cannot just praise this statement; we need to put it to work.  
Although Marxists and communists face different situation in different 
countries, they all have the same responsibilities, that is, to organize 
workers, build mass powerful movements, and develop international solidarity 
among workers and toiling masses to get rid of capitalism and establish 
socialism.  Especially today when capitalism is pushing the humanity towards 
barbarism, the call for socialism is important than ever.  

In one of your previous email you said that because of imperialist threat 
against Iran, Islamic republic of Iran must be tolerated (I am paraphrasing 
what you wrote).  When I criticized your position you said "My target was not 
Iranians at all- it was Marxists in imperialist countries..."  This position as 
far as I am concerned has nothing to do with Marxism and working class 
communism.  It is rather a left-nationalist position. 

You say it is ok for Iranians to fight against the Islamic regime.   But 
fighting against the Islamic regime does not occur only in the geographic 
boundary of Iran.  This fight also occurs at the international level.  Millions 
of Iranians live outside of Iran.  The Islamic regime must be confronted not 
just in Iran but also at the international level.  A successful revolution, 
particularly a worker's revolution in Iran can only occur with a strong and 
massive international support. 

On the international level, Iranian communist are working hard to build 
international solidarity and garner support for workers and mass movements in 
Iran.  To do this, obviously they have to expose the Islamic regime and its 
continuous crime against the people of Iran. But when they do this, they are 
faced with people like you who say their fight against the Islamic regime will 
be utilized by the US government.  Are they allowed to say that Ahmadinejad and 
members of his cabinet are bunch of criminal thugs and that they, together with 
the whole Islamic regime, should be brought down by the mass movement of people 
and power of the working class?   Can they engage in mass international  
campaigns to build support in the public opinions and progressive movements in 
the US and the west?  Should Marxists support this movement?  I think they 
should. But according to you "for those of us in the "belly of the beast," 
going along with the attacks on Ahmadinejad means in a very real sense playing 
directly into the hands of imperialism and bolstering their case for an 
invasion and 'regime change.'"     

Many in the US left not only do not expose against Islamic regime in Iran, but 
they go even further.  Some either explicitly defend the Islamic regime or make 
every possible attempt to create confusion among people and throw dust in their 
eyes so that they cannot see the brutality of the Islamic regime.  The anti 
Semitic statement of Ahmadinejad is one example.  Another instance I noticed on 
this email list had to do with the public hanging of two gay teenagers in Iran 
a few months ago.  Louis posted an article from somewhere (I do not remember 
the source) to prove that the two boys were killed not because they were gays 
but because they raped other boys. The author of the article would prefer to go 
along with fascist homophobic and pedophilic mullahs of Iran while ignoring the 
entire Iranian progressive forces and particularly Iranian gay community that 
insisted the two kids were brutally murdered for being gays.  

For many on the US left, any attack on Islamic regime becomes an "imperialist 
slander." Practically,   whether they like it or not, they end up standing on 
the side of the fascist Islamic regime and in opposition to progressive and 
communist forces in Iran.  What kind of solidarity is this?   

Your statement that Iranians can fight the Islamic regime amounts to just some 
empty phrases and nothing more.  Because when they expose the fascist brutality 
of the Islamic regime you say it will be used by imperialist.  In another 
words, they should not take a position against the Islamic regime either.  
Thus, they should tolerate the Islamic regime or even collaborate with it 
against the US government. Pure and simple, great American nationalism of the 
left in the US.   

Your concern about the US warmongering policy against Iranian people is quite 
valid and I share those concerns.  I think we have to expose the US government 
every step of the way.  Within the Iranian opposition forces, there people who 
support and encourage some sort of "Iraqi solution" for Iran.   But these 
people are on the right and mainly among pro western opposition forces who were 
close to the previous regime in Iran.  Iranian progressive forces, particularly 
Worker-communist movement, is leading a fight against these reactionary forces. 
 But opposing the US government does not mean that the leftists in this country 
should tolerate fascist and murderous forces around the glob just because they 
happen to be in conflict with the US or are the targets of US government.  They 
are both enemies of people. We do not need them. We do not have to choose 
either one of them.  Our task is to organize people for better world.           
 


  



                                                
  

      



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