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Iranian opposition to attend Swedish meeting

Published: 31 Jan 12 14:01 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/38830/20120131/

Some 50 exiled members of the Iranian opposition and civil society will meet in Stockholm at the weekend to discuss how to help implement democracy in Iran, organisers said Tuesday.


The two-day conference "will gather leading representatives from different parts of the opposition outside the country as well as writers, activists and university professors outside Iran," the Olof Palme Centre said in a statement.

The "Unity for Democracy in Iran" conference will aim to "make it possible for different parts of the opposition to meet and discuss how they can coordinate their efforts for democracy in Iran," it said.

Iran is holding a parliamentary election on March 2nd, in what is seen as a tussle between two conservative camps, the supporters and opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"People from the opposition have turned to us with a request for support in making it possible for the different parts of the opposition to be gathered.

They have also sought advice on how to coordinate their work," Olof Palme Centre head Jens Orback said in the statement.

The conference, which is part of the centre's efforts to support opposition movements within authoritarian states, will be closed to the media.

The centre was created to work for democracy, human rights, and peace in memory of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme who was gunned down by a lone attacker in February 1986, shortly after leaving a Stockholm cinema.

AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

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17:44 January 31, 2012 by Greysuede
Particularly Sweden and some other European countries including USA and Canada have been granting asylum to these Iranians, Iraqi, Syrians and the likes of them since 2nd World War. If this process is still ongoing it just indicates that these nations and ethnic groups shouldn't blame to others for their eternal problems apart but themselves as they are defective and inferior within only. Remember "Mitt stora feta syrianska bröllop | TV3" and some other show programs? Is this a solution to their ongoing problems?

On the other hand, if bloody British, French and US imperialists are guilty in their problems for some popular interests, why wouldn't they just go to Britain and France for asylum?
18:47 January 31, 2012 by skatty
What I believe is that the shadow of war is over Iran; however, not in near future, but in few years. The process of sanction, which has been tightened and pressure the Iran, will bring a disaster on population (unfortunately).

The steps, which has been taken by US and EU (of course US encourage the process) is known steps toward a final war.

I suggest to Iranian to study this book for calculation of the probability of a possible war in Iran:

"Acting Alone, A scientific study of American hegemony and unilateral use-of-force decision making" by Bradley F. Podliska
22:07 January 31, 2012 by indeedmagnifier
About the Stockholm session

With the gradual increase of tension between the West and the Islamic regime occupiers of Iran, in some circles have doubled their efforts for getting the new partners, trying to attract the attention of well-known characters and the outside oppositions to propose the alternative, and the "government in exile"

1-

Remembering the past experience can be warned that for the various reasons including lack of transparency and posses of the secret methods and the choice of venue and monopolistic operators and at least for some of the invited participants, the criticisms and objections to the meeting in Stockholm has come into view.

2-

The use of the word democracy, democratic, pluralistic and transparency by those who don't act democratic, it is more like a joke than a serious national democratic movement.

3-

Journalists and reporters also not allowed, entering and reporting the meeting! The question is whether a forty-person self in a closed session (ie private) at the beginning of its work can gain the legitimacy? As the nation itself actually has not accepted as an intimate

4-

We should asked those who in nearly thirty-three years in free community workshops has not learned the pluralism and democracy, how they can learn in a two-day workshop the Democracy?

5-

The other objection to the selection procedures and criteria for selecting individuals or invitees by the operators of this meeting is concerned. Unfortunately, there is no transparency in the selections. Some just do not know its reason, good to explain by what measurement the individuals or others have been removed.

6-

However, for some people who insist on secrecy and "training" behind the closed doors, should answer to the legitimate questions.

7-

Nevertheless, this session as they called it "national dialogue"! If is prepared to hold the free elections and to liberate the Iranian nation, the Iranians have the right to know the "savior" to come to ask questions and expect clear performance and democratic accountability.

Since democracy means transparency, accountability and pluralism, and to understand these clearly, seems that it is not need to the private, "wrap up" training workshops!
20:39 February 3, 2012 by james_g
@ indeedmagnifier - you have some reason for wanting these people to acquire an increased risk of assassination? Or kidnapping, rendition (i.e. ghosting to Iran) and torture?
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