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TechnoratiOn Monday, the Iranophobia of US president George Bush was once again on display. The occasion was the joint press conference he gave at his Camp David resort along with Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai.
Contradicting Karzai's statement in a CNN interview on Sunday that Iran was "a helper and a solution" to his country, Bush urged him to be "very cautious about whether or not the Iranian influence there in Afghanistan is a positive force".
Such a statement could only come from someone ignorant of the recent history of Tehran's relationship with its eastern neighbour.
Long before 9/11, the Iranian regime was at loggerheads with the Taliban who captured Kabul in September 1996. As orthodox Sunnis of the Hanafi code, the Taliban held Shias in low esteem, and banned their annual ritual of Ashura.
When the Taliban authorities held a dozen Iranian diplomats hostage in Mazar-e Sharif in the summer of 1998, relations between the two neighbours deteriorated to the point when a war between them seemed imminent. In the end cool heads prevailed. Iran withdrew the revolutionary guard troops it had amassed along the Afghan-Iranian border.
Following 9/11, as the Bush administration prepared to attack the Taliban, the Iranians shared intelligence with it surreptitiously.
At their urging, Ismail Khan, the anti-Taliban Afghan leader based in the Iranian city of Mashhad, along with his fighters, coordinated his attack on the Taliban in western Afghanistan with the Pentagon's campaign in the north and the east. Ismail Khan's militia captured Herat, an important city near the Iranian border.
At the international conference held in Bonn, Germany, in late December 2001, Iran's foreign minister, Kamal Kharrazi, actively co-operated with the Americans to install Hamid Karzai as the leader of the post-Taliban Afghanistan.
At the subsequent international donors' gathering, in Tokyo, Iran pledged $500m aid to Afghanistan over five years. Unlike many other nations at the Tokyo conference, it has fulfilled its initial promise. It has been involved in several infrastructure and health care projects, particularly in western Afghanistan.
In 2003, when Ismail Khan, an ethnic Tajik, refused to send an envoy to Kabul when Karzai, an ethnic Pashtun, was formally installed as president, it was the Iranian government which persuaded him to fly his son for the inaugural ceremony. In return, Karzai appointed Khan's son as a cabinet minister.
Furthermore, ever since the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, the Iranian regime has been battling the Afghan drug dealers who use Iran as a transit route for shipping their products to Europe. In the course of hundreds of fire fights between the smugglers and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (charged with monitoring the national borders), a few thousand guards have lost their lives.
The anti-narcotic campaign by Iran, which has continued since the overthrow of the Taliban in December 2001, has been praised not only by the Karzai government but also by the UN.
However, given Bush's deep-seated aversion towards the Islamic Republic, it was unlikely that a brief history of Iran's anti-narcotic campaign was conveyed to him during the "more than a fair amount of time" he spent with Karzai discussing the fact that Afghanistan accounted for 95% of the world's poppy production used to produce heroin.
Overall, in the light of the recent history of the region, Karzai's description of Iran as "a helper and a solution" of Afghanistan was rooted in facts.
By contrast, Bush damaged his already low credibility in foreign affairs when he went on to claim that Iran had a government "that has proclaimed its desire to build a nuclear weapon" ".
This statement is false. On September 12 2004, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei issued a fatwa (religious decree) that it was "un-Islamic" to use an atom bomb.
In his Friday prayer sermon on November 5 2004, Khamanei declared that "developing, producing or stockpiling nuclear weapons is forbidden under Islam" and for "our believing nation", and added: "They accuse us of pursuing nuclear weapons program. I am telling them as I have said before that we are not even thinking about nuclear weapons." (See Middle East International , Issue December 4 2004.)
But then again, in George Bush the world is dealing with a politician who prides himself on acting on gut feeling - rather than facts, expertise or historical experience.
Dilip Hiro's latest book is "Blood of the Earth: The Battle for the World's Vanishing Oil Resources," published by Nation Books, New York.
© 2007 The Guardian
25 Comments so far
Show AllKen that's because Sunni Pakistan was running Afghanistan through their proxies the Taliban. The Afghan people and Iranian people were once part of the same Persian empire and many Afghans speak Farsi (Dari is a subset of Farsi and is like comparing American English to British English). The Afghan ethnic group the Tajiks have close ties to Persians. In fact Tajik literally means Persian speaker. The people of Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan (at least in the North because the Pushtuns are a different ethnic group) share this common ancestry.
It's interesting how we (meaning our government loosley so called) decide to character assasinate someone way before we invade their country. It makes me wonder just how bad Saddam was, or his kids, Or Chavez or Castro since they have all been villified by our press. (And CIA no doubt) I know they made a monster out of David Koresh before they killed everyone at WACO. Remember Waco? A lot of the truth about that has never made it to the public either. What a bloody country we live in!!! Eisehhowser was right!!! Beware the industrial-military complex it will destroy democracy....it already has!!
Paul: Good points!
I also read somewhere yesterday that Khomenei has also declared that use of atomic weapons is against the Koran and Islamic law. Can you find out anything on that? It seems to me if an Imam of Khomenei's stature in the Islamic world says that the killing of innocents by the use of an atomic bomb is totally "off the table", it really is not going to be used. So, if that is true, how in the world can Daffy Dick be claiming that Iran is a nuclear threat?
Just asking.
The other point I made on another thread is, what happens if Iran decides to not retaliate if the US attacks them? What if they go straight to the UN, with Russia and China in tow, and asks that the US be sanctioned for an aggressive act against a sovereign nation? That's against the rules in the UN charter. Just because the UN hasn't done it in response to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, doesn't mean that they won't to avert WWIII.
Alban Colwell,
Excellent post.
However, you should point out firstly that the President of Iran was merely echoing the words of its spiritual leader, Khomenei, when he said.
"The Imam [Khomenei] said this regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the page of time,"
He went on to compare the regime with that of the Soviet Union and the apartheid regime in South Africa, both of which "vanished from the page of time". I take note that no genocide was carried out against the citizens of either nation though, and similarly Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made no threat of genocide against the Israeli people, even in the face of constant threats of unilateral military action from the Israelis and/or Americans.
"Wiped off the map, wiped off the map," they bleat incessantly, even though these weren't his actual words.
After a while, the sheep begin to believe that they were, just as Ken Mitchell says,
"Iran's president has denied that the Holocaust existed."
Ken, I believe his message was closer to this, and I paraphrase.
I don't know what happened in Europe, but western civilization, for all the lip service it pays to the concept of freedom of speech, seems to change its mind when it comes to discussion of the Holocaust.
His major point however, is that the Holocaust and the guilt that it planted in the western powers was used to justify the subsequent and ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. He opines that if the German people (Christians) carried out genocide against the Jews, why didn't they cut off a chunk of Germany at the end of the war, give it to the European Jews, and let them set up their country there.
Iran's president has denied that the Holocaust existed. However, prior to 9/11, Iran and Afghanistan were indeed bitter enemies.
I like Vince Lawrence's emphasis on THEIR REGION.Wouldn't it be a great leap for peace if the US abandoned its imperialistic policy to control the Middle East. Our militaristic solution is not working, and tragically misguided. It should not take much to transform the US Globalization Free Trade, with its underlying arrogant demands on the weaker partners, to global Fair Trade. Let us abandon our threatening military bases around the world, and promote the development of Regional Economic-Trading Zones, where places like the Middle East can trade with the rest of the world on its own terms, as an equal. Our imperialism is losing in Latin America, with Mercosur, and the Bolivarians taking charge of their own regional-national interests, and telling the designers of NAFTA, CAFTA, etc, to bug off. Just think, how long can "they hate us", if we treat treat them respectfully, pull out our murderous military and brain-dead diplomats (we don't talk to . . .). The US could save a lot of money and make friends.
Interesting blogs. Yes I agree this is a very good site. Informed and good with the expected attacks from the neocons. But when south east asia has nothing to do with Israel concerning Iran that is nonsense. Enough of the Israel bit never! Firstly the aggressive posturing at Iran is so terribly dangerous. Someone said Iran was Americans traditional enemy. Democracy there was the enemy overthrown and a friensd the Shah installed. Bush is proud to be a war president. It was Israel and their media hacks who had the corporate media in the west repeatedly harp on and on about Iran. Ahmeninijad who has no power over Iran foreign policy at all was accused of stating he wanted "to wipe Israel off the map" . All scholars of Farsi examining the context and the meaning of what he said disagreed. He never said that. He was referring to a Statement of Ayatollah Khomaini who was saying that just like the Soviet regiem would disappear in history as time progressed, and as the Shah's regiem had passed away (was wiped away) so will Israel Zionist expansionist State pass away in time. He was right about the Soviet Union and I sincerely hopre he is right about Israel to-day. It was Israel which poured all this poison about Iran calling it the greatest threat to the world, comparing it to Hitler as the greatest threat to the zionist enterprise since the Nazis, declaring that Iran has all but declared war and calling for Iran to be restrained. There is such a wide selection of vitriolic spew coming from political leaders in Israel against Iran (check this out) that now it is having the desired effect in Washington. So, when Bush gets that gut feeling about Iran it has been stoked by the State of Israel directly and through its proxies within the USA elites. It is correct that Iran has been extraordinarily co-operative with Afghanistan's government and was a mortal enemy of the Taliban. In Iraq, according to its foreign minister and Maliki it's been helpful and the problem seems to be that it the strategy of the US military there that has changed. They are not arming and cooperating with the very insurgents they had been fighting the Sunni's. They are turning their attention now on attacking Shia groups. They are sanctions on Iran who seeks to persue nuclear power acquisition and there has been a refusal to engage in direct diplomacy and negotiations. Iran has been cast as the main man in the 'axis of evil'.
But to repeat, because it is important to understand the effectiveness of there being no real debate about the propoganda. Israel managed to regurgitate this business of Iran seeking to 'wipe Israel off the map'througe the mainstream media. As is par for the course in these situations, this stoking the flames of fear and ensuing terror in the middle east is all based on a lie. It is simply not true. But it has the desired effect on the chimp like Bush and through its proxies in the USA Israel is responsible for this attitude against all available historical evidence in Afghanistan also. Karzi praises iran for its cooperation and Bush doesn't feel this in his gut. I suggest he gets some liver salts and let the wind blow where it will.
"But then again, in George Bush the world is dealing with a politician who prides himself on acting on gut feeling - rather than facts, expertise or historical experience."
No, he prides himself on total, outright lying, because he knows most of the sheep still have trouble accepting that Dear Leader would ever lie to them. Misspoke, selective amnesia, inaccurate accusation maybe - but lie right in your face? Never!
"U.S. President George W. Bush charged Monday that Iran has openly declared that it seeks nuclear weapons – an inaccurate accusation at a time of sharp tensions between Washington and Tehran."
Stay tuned for "nuklur weapon program-related activities..."
fpal and others here: We hear much bloviation from the neocons and now from "responsible" Democrats about the "threat" of growing Iranian influence in that region. THEIR REGION. A growing influence so strong that it even draws in those hand-picked leaders we have installed in our recently acquired colonies.
It doesn't matter what Iran actually does day to day, year to year, only what our great leaders say they are doing, or want to do. And what do they want to do, actually? Seems to me they want to be legitimate inhabitants of THEIR REGION. They do, after all, have an immense border with several unstable and dangerous nations. Considering that they are practically surrounded by active military forces of the West and are being threatened daily by Daffy Dick, they are playing it rather cooly.
Fpal, you must be new here at Common Dreams.
Stick around if so, or check out similar articles in the archives. The bloggers here are the most informed and active group I have ever seen in my 71 years.
And that gut feeling is gas. Manifest Insanity.
This is quite eye opening for me.
NOT the fact the Dilip Hiro documents the error and lies of Bush but that CommonDreams posters are just willing to accept Bush's lies and actions.
You posters should point out the lies, the errors to anyone and everyone you know and try to stop the madness of war with Iran. If you don't, you'll be culpable.
R.E.
Just viewed your thoughtful and nicely reasoned points concerning war & peace.
As the world has come to learn, however, once the dogs of war are loosed, not only truth, but reason itself becomes an instant casualty, and the masters of emotional blackmail & manipulation rule the day.
For those interested in a psychological analysis of warmongering, I have recently completed a 10-minute online video entitled "Resisting the Drums of War." It examines how the Bush administration has promoted the misguided and destructive war in Iraq by targeting five core concerns that often govern our lives--concerns about vulnerability, injustice, distrust, superiority, and helplessness. Looking ahead, the continuing occupation of Iraq--or an attack on Iran--will likely be sold to us in much the same way. The video examines these warmongering appeals and how to counter them. It's available for viewing HERE.
GWB & Co. don't give a wet slap about democracy, here or abroad. That was always a charming little excuse, and a lot of miseducated Americans bought it. He wants a dictatorship, always has -- since Dec. 18, 2000, about 5 minutes after the Supreme Court handed him the reins.
Enough with the blame it all on Israel routine.
A fascist corporate state ( as one blogger calls the USA )beholden to six million in Israel is a whopping contradiction. Last I checked, fascist states were only beholden to their Board of Directors. The owners of this here Freedom Land.
"...it was the Iranian government which persuaded him to fly his son for the inaugural ceremony. In return, Karzai appointed Khan's son as a cabinet minister."
It seems to me that there may be a large cultural misunderstanding or lack of understanding of this region on our part. A lot of people may think that they are just all waring tribes and that is all they will ever be.
Maybe the State Department, the diplomatic corp or think tanks understand more, but their knowledge does not seem to get through to the top of this administration, or they just are not listening.
Impeachment will never happen because both parties on the same team....the Israel team. Israel dictates foreign policy, and both parties bend over for Israel. USA has a fascist corporate government beholden to Israel.
"But then again, in George Bush the world is dealing with a politician who prides himself on acting on gut feeling - rather than facts, expertise or historical experience."
This makes Bush sound much less harmful than he is. To his victims in Iraq and elsewhere, it's clear that Bush is a murderous sociopath. If we're talking about his "gut feeling", let's be clear that that gut feeling is of the kind that caused Gary Ridgeway to select one potential victim over another. Bush is no longer the passive serial killer of Bev Conover's thesis, but rather an active and relentless murderer.
It is really quite bizarre.
If you believe that the Middle East should be ready for democracy then Iran is clearly several steps ahead of its neighbours. Every country should have the right to create its own history and its own path towards democracy.
When it comes to countries that provide a problem for security to their neighbours and other parts of the world, according to me those are Saudi-Arabia and Pakistan. These are the countries that are the most involved in terrorism (the Taliban in Afghanistan is yet another Pakistani invention), but they also happen to be the countries which are the closest friends of the U.S. It actually seems as if there is really nothing that either of these countries can do wrong. Now I don't want to suggest that America should start bombing them, but it would be quite a good idea to withhold support for the real terrorist states.
The Taliban creation and recent resurgence has nothing to do with Israel. Pakistan created and supported the Taliban to foster its own strategic interests and keep Afghanistan under its sphere of influence.
kiki you are right about the neocons but that has to do with the middle-east and not south asia.
Someone has to do Israel's dirty work.
And that's what American neocons are for; making sure Israel's desire for continuous hegemony in the middle east is accomplished thru American blood and money.
It is clearly obvious. that Bush is going to do as he damn well pleases. He is the president, has screamed that to his staff and has stated that our Constitution is just a piece of G.D. paper.
Bush has proven that he is 'absolutely' correct on both of those points and he is getting away with it. Bush will nuke Iran, IF we don't have the depression first. Either way, we are not going to survive as a nation.
We can keep screaming impeach until our brains run out of our ears; I do not see impeachment happenng,__ EVER. And to me, I am sorry to say, that is the reality of it.
Tell me I am wrong,___ please. And prove it!
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Pakistani+support+of+Taliban
Its Pakistan that is supporting the Taliban not Iran any Afghan will tell you this! Even the Dept of State said it back in 2001! http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2001/3739.htm
The Nation Magazine also writes this and just google Pakistani support of Taliban you'll find tons of articles:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011008/rashid
Its the nuke Iran crowd that wants to blame Iran instead of the source of the problem which is obviously Pakistan. No wonder Afghan Reconstruction is not going well. How can it go well without security when our President is putting the blame on the wrong country!