We are so grateful for working with Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Brown Anti-war group. They pulled together a good turnout with a lot of interested students. We were also happy to visit Brown, as it is Antonia’s Alma madder.
Rostam talked about the origins of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Reminding us that Iran’s program has been in existence for 30 years. So why is the US so threatened by it now? Constently saying it is a major national security threat? Rostam explained that Iran’s nuclear program began under the Shah in the 1970’s at the urging of US President Ford. When Pres. Ford initially approached the Shah with the suggestion that Iran develop nuclear energy the Shah was not interested and said Iran is floating on oil why would we need another source of energy? But American defense contractors GE and Westing House along with the President and Henry Kissinger were able to persuade the Shah to purchase up to a dozen nuclear power plants. Why were GE, Kissinger and others so eager to get Iran nuclear? Rostam explained they wanted Iran’s oil dollars! His argument is laid out in an article published in the Washington Post last year by Dafna Linzer, click here to read the facts Bush does not want us to remember.
The reality in Iran 30 years ago is different than now, Rostam explained, there was less reason for nuclear energy in Iran when Ford was pushing it but now the population has tripled counting 70 million people, with electricity reaching every village in Iran. So Iran needs extra sources of power to support its population. Rostam argues that the real reason Bush bashes Iran is because the neo-cons want regime change in Iran. There is NO evidence to show after hours and hours of UN inspections that Iran has any intentions of developing a nuclear weapons program, the US State Department said itself that if Iran were to start developing a nuclear weapons program it is five to ten years away from a nuclear test.
Rostam argues that the real reason Bush wants regime change in Iran is because the US is entering a new cold war, this time with China. And according to policy papers and the Project for the New American Century, which was made of by many, many members of the Bush administration, the US needs Iran’s oil to control China.
Another reason Rostam argues the US is demonizing Iran is because Iran has an independent foreign policy. Meaning it is not controlled by the US, and the US needs to dominate. The reality in Iran is that, human rights in Iran are more favorable by international standards than they were 20 years ago, more women and men in Iran are going to college than ever before, English schools have openned across Iran even in the smallest towns. So openning and tolerance for outside influence is blossoming in Iran. Unfortunately this reality is not the one Americans are presented with in the US media.
In the US I think we all have a lot to learn about Iran. Jessica
