Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Did You Know

That Iran once had a demoratically elected goverment.

Muhammad Mossadeq, the leader of the National Front, was elected prime minister in April 1951. One month later, he nationalized Iran's oil industry, much to the chagrin of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (a consortium of British and American oil interests).

In 1953, the CIA backed a coup de etat that removed Mossadegh from power and installed the Shah, whose oppressive regime ruled for over 25 years. Although the oil industry remained nationalized, the Shah negotiated a deal with foreign oil companies whereby the companies managed Iran's oil operations for a substantial profit.

4 comments:

  1. I strongly disagree with the bomber...Israel has NOTHING to gain from bombing Iran for several reasons. First, unlike Iraq in 1981, Iran has spread its nuclear facility locations all over Iran and near population centers. That alone has pretty much eliminated the possibility for efficacy for any air strike. The reprucussions alone would reduce Israel's standing in the world to a place even lower than any of the Israel-haters could ever hope for.

    Second, by all accounts Iran is truly on the cusp of another revolution (inshala), but this time with the tide swinging away from religious fundumentalism. Even Bush is not dumb enough to fuck with that possibility, especially in light of the anti-US protest in Iraq last week by shia of the country.

    Third, what would bombing in this case really accomplish? We don't have enough troops to do anything in the world right now, and bombing Iran whilst american troops still occupy...I mean while american troops continue to spread freedom ;-) across iraq would only put them at greater risk, and even dumbass republicans in congress aren't that dumb....or are they?

    RG
    aka BP

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