Pro-War Neoconservative Defends “Democracy Funding” and Attacks the NIAC
In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Michael Rubin—an advocate of the Iraq war and recent Giuliani foreign policy adviser—responded to the near unanimous objection from Iranian groups towards “democracy funding” by the US government. This plan is designed to allocate up to $75 million to push regime change in Iran.
Given the long and costly history of foreign intervention in Iran’s political affairs, this plan is an affront to the spirit of Iranian self-determination.
Rubin also makes some illogical and arbitrary claims that bear mentioning. He exploits union leader Mansour Osanlou and his wife as primary examples of Iranian dissidents supporting his aim that “democracy funding” is a good thing—even though there is no indication that Osanlou’s wife is referring to this program.
For the past three months, their leader, Mansour Osanlou, has been in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In an August radio interview, his wife pleaded for more outside support.
However, Rubin shamelessly dismisses Iranian activists who specifically oppose “democracy funding”—like Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi; and journalist Akbar Ganji who was imprisoned and sustained an 80-day hunger strike—slandering them as “the loyal opposition in a fascist state.”
Considering the overwhelmingly dismal failures of US foreign policy under the advise of pro-war advocates like Rubin; and Iranian reformers like Ebadi and Ganji who have devoted their lives for change in their native country; it is clear that sincere advocates of a democratic Iran should respect the wishes of native reformers rather than pursue disastrous policies crafted by a small group of pro-war advocates far away from Iran.
Irancove @ October 19, 2007