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As like as most genuine Iranian Student Associations and Unions, the AKISA is seeking Secularity and is NOT affiliated to the official and pro-regime "Amir Kabir Islamic Student Association" which is looking for reforms in the frame of the Islamic republic regime and has a website located at: http://www.akunews.com/

The following is the translation of the AKISA's 4 pages analysis by SMCCDI:

----Text---:

" 18th of Khordad,  an opportunity for rebirth of the Student Movement!  

Close analysis of the presidential election held on 18th of khordad 1380 (June 8, 2001 Elections), reveals a widening gap in the ranks of the forces comprising the elite of the Islamic Republic.

Combined efforts of the "leadership" and the fundamentalist forces failed measurably to tighten this gap, and the result of the election was the exact opposite of their efforts. Mr. Khatami was able to attract more than 20 million votes, far ahead of the closest rival.

Fully 1/3 of the electorate did not even bother to vote, either! 

A far important point, however, is the fact that both who stayed away and those that voted for Mr. Khatami were expressing similar desires, wishes and political agenda.   The vote for Mr. Khatami was a vote for non-return to the situation existing before 2nd of Khordad 1376 (May 23rd, 1997), and a vote for continuation of the "reforms" expressed 4 years earlier!

Khatami and his allies were seen as the only viable alternative that can carry out these reforms among candidates running, and his defeat would be tantamount to total stoppage of such reforms. Another words, Khatami was the only choice available!

In contrast, the boycott vote expressed the feeling that even a vote for Mr. Khatami cannot change anything, and can only lead to giving more legitimacy to the corrupt regime.   This section of the society do not believe in so-called "reforms" as espoused by the insider reformists, and is of the opinion that the Islamic Republic, by nature, is totally unreformable, even if, all the Iranian population vote for "reforms"!   They saw their vote as being wasted, and therefore, preferred to stay away.

As the result, we can safely conclude that the vote, except for those cast for the other 9 candidates, was of similar nature and were expressing similar desires via two different methods!  

18th of Khordad election, therefore, in reality was a contest between the "reformist" and the "Third Force", consisting of all who have serious reservations about the Reform agenda, are highly critical of it, and/ secular forces rejecting the reform from the outset.   The real losers of the elections, however, is/was the "conservative" right wing faction!

The emergence of the Third Force that comprised vast sections of the vote for Mr. Khatami, also, was the most important outcome of this election!  

For the past 4 years, The leadership of the Islamic Republic, along with the right wing, did their utmost to "close" the political climate in the country, and to sidestep, and then kill the demand for a "civil society".   However, it only served to give an opportunity to the Third force to bring it's agenda to the forefront of the events in Iran, and to present them fully to the people for their final judgment.   As the result, no one will wait any longer for Mr. Khatami to implement his version of the "Civil Society", and the balance of forces is rapidly shifting to this new political grouping outside of the helm of the Islamic republic control.

Mr. Khatami is determined, even more strongly than the past 4 years, to overcome hurdles presented to him by the right wing, and relying on his new mandate, to embark on immediate political and social reforms despite this strong opposition.   The right wing, though, consisting of the leadership of Islamic republic, the so-called Guardian Council, the Expediency Council, and other similar subservient individuals/groups are well aware that should "reforms" demanded by the masses of Iranian people are actually implemented by Mr. Khatami and his allies, it will only serve to trigger even more demands for far reaching reforms, which will lead to their losing complete control, and resultant collapse of the "system", altogether!  

Having said that, the right wing faction realizes, completely, that should the wheels of reforms start turning, neither them nor Mr. Khatami will be able to stop it at a desired point, and will metamorphose into demands for fundamental changes of the Islamic system.   They want Mr. Khatami to continue talks of reforms, and like the past 4 years, go through the motions without actually doing anything  to implement real changes; To keep the system as is and to preserve the closed political machine intact!    Surely, they have pointed out to Mr. Khatami, should he yelled to people's demand, he too, will end up were they are today: out and isolated!!     Is it any surprise, therefore, when Ali Fallahian reminds Mr. Mohajerani that "should the curtains fall, neither you nor I will remain to hold the mantel"?    Right wing, too, is reminding Mr. Khatami that if people are voting for you and are "clapping" for you is because they abhor our system, and would rather see us all go to you-know-where!!      Mr. khatami, though, believes that he can still control the events should the right wing steps aside and allows him to carry out his agenda.

Mr. Khatami is fully aware of two things:

a - Current situation cannot go unchanged any longer.
b - People's demands are still manageable and they want to see their desires implemented with minimum of bloodshed or internal conflicts.

So, without further delays, he should begin to embark on his reforms.

Unfortunately, time is not on his side, and the leadership and his entourage do not wish to give him the time of day, in the Islamic Parliament or anywhere else.   Therefore, the outlook for Khatami's reforms are bleak, and at best, very problematic.

The Islamic Parliament tried to use Mr. Khatami's victory to its best advantage and pass laws to streamline Foreign Investment, define "Political Offense" and reform Seda Va Syma (Governmental Radio and television).   The Guardian Council vetoed every one of them!!    This harsh overkill goes a long way to show that the right wing, in turn, is determined to block reforms and keep "closed climate" as is.    They know, should they yelled on these points, they might as well give up and go home!    This confrontation will get even more nastier in the near future, which will present even more opening to the Third Force to bring about its agenda and advance its cause.

Surely, for the reasons outlined above, one cannot depend on the "reforms" presented by the government of Mr. Khatami, and if our people want reforms, which they do, and if they desire democracy, which they also do, they need to enter the political battle independent of the Khatami's reformist groups.   Also, the Student Movement needs to immediately embark on rebuilding its damaged wings and take flight once again to regain its leadership position on the forefront of the democracy movement.

Our Student Movement have sustained deep wounds from the 18th of Tir (July 9th) uprising, both from the conservative camp and from Mr. Khatami's faction, alike.

We have not yet been able to overcome the horrible outcomes of this systematic repression. Many of our leaders are still in prison, and the student organizations affiliated with the government, namely, Daftar Tahkiem Vahdat (Office of Consolidation Unity - OCU) and some of the Islamic Student Associations, are serving as a hurdle to the Independent Student organizations and their actions are designed to further damage our cause.    Unfortunately, due to their many links to the government organs, they have become a direct hand of the government in universities and colleges.

Daftar Tahkiem Vahdat, throughout its existence, has been a governmental instrument to implement its policies, rather than looking out for the interest of the student body.  

However, the repeated defeat of the right wing at the polls, and also due to stoppage of Khatami inspired reforms, Daftar Tahkiem is going through paralyzes of its own, and for a long time could not even elect its central committee personnel, and now it seems on the verge of a complete breakdown.    This goes to show that the Student Movement cannot, and should not be linked, in any way, to the government, Its political parties and/factions, and should remain an independent movement.    Is it not true that for the past 4 years, various factions in the Islamic Republic system tried to use the students as their political pawns to advance their own agenda, and then, abandon those very students?  

University students are the symbol of independence and critic of the government, and not their cheer leaders!    Daftar Tahkiem and other semi-government organs in Universities are extensions of both the right wing and government reformists here, and most are financially supported and supplied by them.   Some even hold governmental jobs!!     What our people look towards, and recognize as the true "University Student Movement" is the those actions, deeds and undertakings that come from vast majority of independent, wise and thoughtful student body not affiliated with any political organs.

"Independence" is of vital importance to any student movement, and is its only ticket to success. If our students desire and look towards implementation of their aspirations, they have no choice but to remain independent.

18th of Khordad and the sea change in the political landscape in Iran, should present another opportunity to the Student Movement to reevaluate itself and to begin to revitalize and rebuild its' student body.   It should be viewed as a golden gift to assert our independence and cease the leadership of the Third Force longing for a civil society, and a society  based on logic and  rational thinking. It is the only way to guide our beloved Iranian people to a better future.

Our first demand should be the freedom of our beloved student prisoners,  which is also the  demand of all Iranians everywhere.     18th of Tir rally, called for by this and other student groups, is our crying point to free prisoners of conscience in Iran, and a show of force to break the back of the dictatorship in our country.    We shall overcome!

With gratitude and many thanks,

12/4/1380 (July 3, 2001)

The Amir Kabir University's Independent Student Association

END..."