06/10/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-09937

TERRORISTS MEET IN IRAN

This month marks the thirteenth anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution. In Tehran, the anniversary was commemorated with an anti-American speech by Khomeini’s successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and an anti-Israel conference that included some of the world’s most notorious terrorists.

In November 1979, early in Khomeini’s rule, an Iranian-government-supported mob seized the United States embassy in Tehran and held fifty-two Americans hostage for more than a year. More than two decades later, the Iranian government continues its hostile stance toward the U.S.

This is in stark contrast to the feelings of ordinary Iranians, many of whom expressed sympathy for Americans after the September 11^th terrorist attacks. The Iranian people have also made it clear that they want their government to open up and respect human rights. In elections since 1997, Iranians have given overwhelming support to candidates that promised political reforms.

But Iran’s government is dominated by extremist clergy, not by elected officials. These clerical rulers severely restrict freedom of speech, religion, association, and assembly. Iranian citizens are subject to arbitrary arrest, summary execution, torture, and punishments such as stoning and flogging.

Under its clerical regime, Iran has also become the world’s most aggressive state sponsor of terrorism. In particular, Iran has increased its support for groups that seek the destruction of Israel. These include the Lebanese Hezbollah and such Palestinian groups as Hamas, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command. Iran has supplied these groups with funding, safe haven, training, and weapons.

In his message to those attending the anti-Israel conference, Ayatollah Khamenei denounced efforts by the U.S. to negotiate a peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. Ali Akbar Mohtashemipour [ah-LEE AHKH-bahr moh-tah-sheh-mee-poor], the organizer of the conference, praised the suicide bombers who have killed hundreds of Israeli civilians, along with some Americans.

By hosting this cabal of terrorists, Tehran undermines Arab, Western, and other efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. The Iranian government’s embrace of violence and terrorism subverts the Iranian’s people’s desire for a responsible, representative government. It also denies them the respect and acceptance of other nations, and an international position worthy of Iran’s history.