[FREE IRAN Project] In The Spirit Of Cyrus The Great

[stefania]

Basij, symbol of freedom, reflection, and dignity: Khatami

Tehran Times Political Desk
http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=10/31/2004&Cat=2&Num=009



TEHRAN (MNA) -- The Basij (volunteer forces) should be a symbol of dignity, freedom, reflection, and the law-abiding spirit, said President Mohammad Khatami on Saturday during the ninth commemoration ceremony held for 13-year-old Martyr Mohammad Hossein Fahmideh and 36,000 student martyrs.

During the ceremony, President Khatami referred to the role of the Basij forces during the eight-year Sacred Defense (1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war) and added that the Sacred Defense was a short period in the history of the Islamic Revolution of Iran but the Basij Forces are the fruit of those glorious days.

He went on to say that governments all over the world punish deserters and draft dodgers during wars, but during the Sacred Defense there was no need to do so since Iranian soldiers went to the front voluntarily.

Khatami noted that during the war there was a struggle between military commanders and planners on one side and the youth on the other, adding that the former tried to prevent the youth from going to the front while the latter enthusiastically volunteered to fight in the war.

“Those who were present on the war fronts certainly have many memories about the soldiers’ enthusiasm to defend their country’s independence,” he said.

Later in the ceremony, he commemorated the over 550,000 students who fought in the war and paid tribute to the memory of 36,000 student martyrs, saying that the presence of basijis in various fields would lead to the development of the country and their success in various science, sports, art, and literature Olympiads indicates that they have reached a higher level.

Along with Martyr Fahmideh, the memory of Sohab Khayyam, a 12-year-old girl who fought against the enemy and was killed and attained martyrdom, should also be honored, Khatami added.
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"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

[stefania]

See, this is the "moderate" and "reformist" who some wish us to believe ...


_________________
Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)

[stefania]

Oh, this "reformist" and "moderate" and "democrat", smiling , elegant Mullah, who travels to the many European capitals where he is invited as "guest of honor" to have a cup of tea with his European friends..

Now the Europeans believe that, cause Khatami is a "moderate" who praises the Bassij, even these latters are on the path of "reformism"...
_________________
Referendum AFTER Regime Change

"I'm ready to die for you to be able to say your own opinions, even if i strongly disagree with you" (Voltaire)