WPI Leader Koorosh Modaresi's message regarding protests of June 10
and 11 in Iran
The end of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the cry of
'Down with the Islamic Republic of Iran' and 'Long Live Freedom and
Equality'
12 June 2003
Freedom-seeking People and Students of Iran:
Irrespective of how the June 10 and 11 protests in
Iran began, it has culminated in the slogan of 'Down with the Islamic
Republic of Iran.' This is today's decree in any political move in
Iran. These protests have once more shown that the Islamic Republic
of Iran is the obstacle to freedom and happiness and the source of
poverty and despair. Protests against any issue, namely the privatisation
of universities, lack of water and electricity, price rises, poverty,
unpaid wages, and for improvements in people's lot and attempts to
just live, are directly vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic of Iran and
result in the slogan 'Down with the Islamic Republic'. There is no
other way. Today, neither the disintegrated 2nd Khordad [Islamic reformist
grouping] nor even the lackey journalists of the BBC Persian Service
can portray the people of Iran as pro-Islamic reform nor give Islam
a presentable image. Everyone now agrees that the reform of the Islamic
Republic - whoever's agenda it might be is not that of the people
of Iran. The people do not want the Islamic Republic of Iran. The
Islamic Republic must go. 'Down with the Islamic Republic' is our
verdict. It is the verdict of the freedom loving and working people
who have been pushed into misery and despair by the Islamic regime.
'Down with the Islamic Republic of Iran' is the spark of hope in the
eyes of women and teenage girls who have not yet lost the hope of
liberation from Islamic slavery. 'Down with the Islamic Republic of
Iran' is the cry for freedom, joy and liberation. This movement must
be consolidated and advanced. The overthrow of the Islamic Republic
of Iran is near. This is also the verdict that recent protests prove.
The question before us, however, is: what is the
quickest and least painful way for liberation from the Islamic Republic
of Iran. How must we advance? What must we do? And can we attain freedom
and equality? The initial response to this question may be clear for
many. We must unite. We must come to the fore united and organised.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is so decayed and in such shambles that
a relatively extensive push by the people will bring it down. The
fact that the Islamic Republic is still around is not because of its
power, it is rather because of our dispersion. We must unite. The
people do not want the Islamic Republic. This is not enough, however,
the achieve liberation from that regime. The Islamic Republic will
not go on its own accord; it must be overthrown. To oust the regime,
we must come together around one banner. The question is unity under
which banner and for what demand? This is exactly where one must choose.
In the past, the Islamic reformists (2nd Khordad) advocated change
via the reform of the Islamic regime and placed the banner of 'Islamic
reform' before the people; this banner and its advocates are no more.
Today, however, there are others on offer, which are just as misleading
and destructive for liberation from the claws of the Islamic Republic.
They say that the United States is coming to save us. First, other
than us ourselves, there are no other saviours. Those who raise this
banner want the people to wait for the saviour, George Bush, and slow
down the people's struggle to oust the regime; they effectively add
to the Islamic regime's lifespan. Look at Iraq. This is not the future
we want. A US-style regime change will only bring more misery and
devastation for the people. We ourselves have begun the process of
regime change years ago. They say that the people must demand a referendum.
Those who imagine a situation in which the Islamic Republic will agree
to a referendum on its future have not accepted that the people of
Iran do not want the Islamic Republic or that the Islamic regime will
not leave on its own accord. The advocates of referendum also add
to the regime's lifespan and provide it with future opportunities.
After the defeat of the Islamic reformists (2nd Khordad), this may
be the way to unity for those who want to remove the people from the
scene, save the Islamic Republic or impose their own government from
above on the people but this is not the way to unite the people to
get rid of the Islamic Republic.
We must unite, but this unity must be around liberation
from the Islamic Republic of Iran and guarantee freedom and equality.
The people must unite around a clear banner. This banner is currently
raised - the banner of 'Down with the Islamic Republic of Iran' and
the banner of 'Freedom and Equality'. The Islamic Republic of Iran
must be overthrown. To overthrow it we must unite. For unity we must
have a banner. This banner is 'Down with the Islamic Republic of Iran'
and 'Long Live Freedom and Equality'.
This unity must bring out a united force to the fore.
Students and the people in Tehran must not be left alone. There must
be a wave of protest everywhere, in every city. The protests must
become extensive. We must make sure all other cities join these protests.
The period, which began with the June 10 and 11 protests, is a new
phase. Our movement for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic has
entered its final phase. We must begin this period by consolidating
our ranks, by guaranteeing its continuation and uniting around a clear
banner. The banner of Freedom and Equality.
Down with the Islamic Republic!
Long Live Freedom, Equality, Workers' Rule!
Long Live socialism!
Koorosh Modaresi
12 June 2003