Signatories of the Statement Were Members of the Student Basij, Pouya Arjmand - 2003-08-07

Unfortunately, once again, the student class has fallen victim to another conspiracy, allowing the roots of despotism to flourish. I am pleased to announce that many of the individuals who signed that letter were part of the Student Basij and organizations aligned with the regime. Many of these individuals were also part of the 40% quota from previous years and this year, who, thanks to the injustice against deserving individuals in the country, are being fed by public funds and betraying them. It is surprising that only 500 signatures have been collected; approximately 1500 signatures could have been gathered from their Basij students over the past two years, which indicates nothing but betrayal from a segment of individuals who are pretending to be students and have entered the country's top university with complete incompetence. Typically, individuals who write open letters to regime officials have their names disclosed, but it is very questionable that a letter supporting the regime's incorrect and misguided actions is published while its signatures remain anonymous; this letter is essentially worthless. Hypothetically, if we assume that some of the individuals who signed this letter were not under pressure and were not coerced for the freedom of imprisoned students under the regime, and that a bad atmosphere would not be created against them if they refrained from signing, the question arises: how far is the text of this letter and its title from the truth? This letter is supposedly addressed to the head of the Islamic Republic government, asking him not to back down in achieving nuclear technology and to pursue his programs. I want to ask the students who signed this letter whether the international community is preventing the implementation of 'peaceful plans', or is the Iranian regime engaging in tension and sensitivity creation? If we can accept that our country, despite having many resources and a suitable population, does not need to spend billions of dollars on a project that neither creates jobs nor has much benefit, why does the Islamic Republic create obstacles? It is the 'Islamic Republic regime' that builds two secret power plants and buys 'enriched uranium' while avoiding mentioning it in reports to the 'International Atomic Energy Agency' and concealing its activities from their view. What era are students living in, and how aware are they of the world's information? If your English is not good and you have not read the full report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on the internet, at least read the many sites that have reflected it. Read both the report and the requests of that organization, the European Union, Russia, and other countries; they say Iran should sign the Additional Protocol. The Additional Protocol only prevents dangerous activities and the production of weapons of mass destruction, not the construction of 'power plants' using 'nuclear technology'. It is truly surprising and regrettable that individuals studying at the best university in the country approach issues in this manner. I hope, as I said at the beginning, that all these assumptions and hypotheses are correct; otherwise, a different path must be taken. Thank you.