:: Nostalgic Notes ::

:: Friday, June 27, 2003 ::

Death of Cameroon football player shocked all football fans last night. He fell down in the middle of the field and died after a few minutes. Marc Vivien Foe, 28 year-old midfielder, died due to a heart attack. I am so sorry.
:: Ahmadreza 4:35 PM [+] ::
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Recently western media and newspapers have focused on American-based TV stations especially Channel One, NITV and AZADI TV which strongly support monarchists and Reza Pahlavi. It seems their struggling to encourage Iranians to come to the streets and overthrow the regime has been attractive for all, except those moderate people who know another revolution is a disaster for Iran.
Anyway, I think Valley is venue for liberate-Iran TV campaign by Lisa Mascaro and Satellite Provocateurs by Andrew Murr are appropriate enough to know Western media viewpoints about Los Angeles-based TVs.
:: Ahmadreza 2:36 PM [+] ::
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I could not write something about recent protests, finished last night with interfering military groups, but I was carefully pursuing news and reports. Reaction of politicians and those who are interested in politics made me shocked, angry and much more disappointed. Each group was looking for its own goals and the only unimportant thing was Iranians viewpoints.
Broadcasting sentimental programs, US-based TV stations tried to encourage Iranians to come to the streets and fight against military groups and riot police. Playing role of active and effective opponents, they tried to lead unsatisfied and angry people but they didn't know that majority of Iranians didn't pay attention to their statements. At the same time, Iranian officials' reactions were absolutely strict. For instance, Spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei, warned students not to continue protests; otherwise his loyal supporters will react similar to they did in 1999. His statements encouraged military groups to come to the streets of Tehran and confronted students and protestors much more severely. Mr. President remained silent again and Mr. Rafsanjani, the most adverse politician in our history, repeated religious leader and told US officials not to interfere with internal affair of Iran.
What made me shocked were strange reactions of US-based TV stations and what made me angry was Spiritual leader's speech in Varamin, a small town near Tehran. Meanwhile Mr. Khatami, remaining silent, confirmed that he isn't a real leader for Iranians' demands. He made me much more depressed and disappointed.
:: Ahmadreza 9:38 AM [+] ::
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Mr. Powell, in an interview with CNN, declared that Bush administration had not any secret programs overthrow current regime but wanted to encourage Iranians to change their terrible situation autonomously. Such statements are sensible but it's very hard to believe Mr. Powell's statements when I hear the rumor about secret contacts between American officials and Parviz Sabeti, former president of Iran intelligence service, or read the report about secret meetings between separatist groups and American defense officials.
Those HAWKS who eagerly want to resolve all disagreements in the Middle East should know that Iran has a very different situation; Iranians are looking forward to changing current regime but they never favor a non-democratic government which only depends on foreign supports. To remove hardliner clerics from political scene is the only demand of Iranians, what they have loudly expressed a few times. I believe that if HAWKS want to solve the greatest problem in the Middle East, The Islamic Republic of Iran, which oppose the Middle East peace process and harbor terrorists, they should know and respect Iranians' demands and wishes.
Note: What made me to write this post was a reasonable article titled Iranians don't need American kingmakers, written by Iranian-American Cameron Kamran and published at International Herald Tribune.
:: Ahmadreza 11:18 AM [+] ::
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When coalition forces started a very different war against Iraq, many people form all over the world denounced it, in spite of the Iranians who neither condemned nor supported Bush administration policy. At the same time many renowned artists and celebrities like George Michael, Shakira and Sean Penn joined to anti-war people to express their own disapproval. Janeane Garofalo was one of those anti-war super stars, a very famous and prosperous American comedian who now accuses American Media and tells to the progressive reporter that they have boycotted and offended her. I don't know whether she is true or not but if she is true, it will be a great lost for American society. Keeping such dogmatic reactions, HAWKS and their supporters will ignorantly or willfully destroy freedom in America, what has made US different from all other countries.
:: Ahmadreza 8:31 AM [+] ::
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Coming back to my nostalgic notes is very sweet after more than one week. Anyway, Last Wednesday, June 4th, was 14th anniversary of former spiritual leader's death. had I watched state TV programs, I would have never found something amazing. Because I knew sad songs and plays, TV programs about Khomeini's miracles and wise statements and many other things like these, were main parts of TV programs not only on Wednesday but also on Thursday and Friday. It was absolutely unbearable so that I turned satellite receiver on and watched French Open tournament, one of four Grand Slam tournaments.
If one reviews French Open 2003, one finds strange results and wonderful happenings. For Instance, I can mention Argentinean Guillermo Coria's victory against seed number two, American Andre Agassi, at quarterfinal stage and Belgian Justine Henin's victory against seed number one, American Serena Williams at semifinal. These unexpected results surprised me and Tennis experts but not as much as the advent of unseeded Tennis player, Martin Verkerk, at final stage. It is the first appearance of Verkerk, tall man with powerful backhand and forehand shots and very fast services, at a Grand Slam tournament final. If the emotional Dutch wins the match, He will be the first unseeded champion at Roland Garros after six years. I'm looking forward to watching final between this new champion and seed number three, Spanish Juan Carlos Ferrero. The match will be absolutely exciting.

:: Ahmadreza 10:58 AM [+] ::
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