Kamangir (Archer)

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War of Words (Updated)

Kamangir | April 11, 2007 | Category Iran

Jalal Sharafi, the Iranian diplomat who was set free “coincidentally” exactly right after the Islamic Republic freed the British sailors, attended a news conference today and discussed what he has gone through in the 57 days he was kept captive by an unknown group in Iraq. He claimed to have been interrogated by an English-speaking person who had claimed to have connections to the US Embassy. His extensive list of torture included drilling his feet and a fake execution. The conference was held in the Foreign Ministry and was followed by photographers taking pictures of his wounds, while he was sitting on a wheelchair for the whole event. More pictures here. Mehr had reported yesterday that the Red Cross representative in Iran has also visited him and has examined his wounds. Since the begining of this story many Iranians have been asking why he did not look sick at all when he first came to Iran. In fact, he left Tehran four days ago to go to his hometown, Kermanshah (ISNA). His return to Tehran and his hospitalization and then the statement by his doctors that he needs to be looked after for many years are the mysteries of this dilemma. A commenter in Balatarin writes “the government does not even have access to good filmmakers”.

In another news, the Armed Forces announced that a documentary is to be published regarding the arrest of the British sailors. In the meantime, in the UK, Faye Turney is talking to the press about her fear of rape and also a bashing conversation with Ahmadinejad (also see this). At least, no one dies when they shoot words.

Reader's Comments

Frieda | April 11th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Seymour Hersh did an interview with the state radio of the Islamic Republic and he called Iran “probably the most democratic country” in the Middle East.

http://www.pajamasmedia.com/2007/04/seymour_an_iranian_introductio.php
Lesly | April 12th, 2007 at 2:22 am
Considering the region, Hersh can accurately say Iran is the most democratic (Muslim) state and not be saying much at the same time.
serendip | April 12th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Frieda: what a deplorable yardstick to fall on. Once a nation who chartered the first human rights and in the 1970’s, most Western journalist compared Iran to Sweden and Denmark…and now we’re reduced to being compared with the manifestation of Bedouin culture of the desert dwellers. This is what sociologists call covert racism. Hersch and those who subscribe to his opinion are morally and ethically bankrupt. Cultural relativism is Euphemism for deeply rooted and ingrained racism.
serendip | April 12th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Frieda: You might want to read this fascinating article by Maryam Namazi on “Cultural Relativism”:

http://www.maryamnamazie.com/articles/cultural_relativism_fascism.html
Frieda | April 12th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Lesly,
Which “region” do you mean? Indonesia is a Muslim country and has done by far better in Democratic movement than Iran…and if we assume, Hersh’s comment was related to Muslim nations only, then his respond is a sad comment to make and I don’t think Mr. Hersh wanted to convey that to Iranians. When a nation undermines women rights, which is 50% of its population, how can anyone even remotely suggest that Iran is a democratic country. Hersh’s comments was a disgrace specially because he is LIberal thinker and you expect more from LIberals.

Seredip,
Yes, I have read Namazi’s article and everyone should read it too.
serendip | April 12th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Frieda Jan: I just found this persian proverb on the site below, which I think I should send to Mr. Seymour Hersh…LOL
I bet Mr. Hersch doesn’t know anything about Iran before the mullahs occupation.

“Do not choose for anyone what you do not choose for yourself.”–persian proverb

This site has other great proverbs too:

http://pages.prodigy.net/jmiller.cb/prs22.html
Lesly | April 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 am
Frieda, sorry for responding so late. I forgot about my comment here.

“Which ‘region’ do you mean? Indonesia is a Muslim country and has done by far better in Democratic movement than Iran.”

I mean the Arab region, of course. Indonesia is not a region. It is a state made up of several islands in the region of Southeast Asia.

“…and if we assume, Hersh’s comment was related to Muslim nations only, then his respond is a sad comment to make and I donâ€™t think Mr. Hersh wanted to convey that to Iranians.”

I think this Hersh’s intentions exactly. His response does not need to be a happy comment to be true.

“When a nation undermines women rights, which is 50% of its population, how can anyone even remotely suggest that Iran is a democratic country. Hersh’s comments was a disgrace specially because he is LIberal thinker and you expect more from LIberals.”

Well I hardly believe Russia is a democracy and I worry about Bush’s power grabs, but that’s what Russia and the U.S. are called. What’s up with LIberal?

In any event, I think his response concerning Iran is true relative to other states in the region.