A New and Free Iran

A coalition of Iranian Opposition Groups (CIOG) g
By
Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, US Army (Ret)
Released by the Stand Up America US Foundation
October 27, 2018

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Coalition of Iranian Opposition Group (CIOG) as the Standard Bearer for a Unified and Free Iran. The CIOG was started by a group of Iranian American expatriates who believe in American values and wish to bring democracy and freedom to Iran. A new and free Iran (www.only1iran.com) will promote freedom and regime change for the Iranian people.

The mission of the Coalition is to forge a policy, support and a plan for a democratic Iran. A plan must afford a path to glory and freedom for the Iranian people. The Coalition of Iranian Opposition Groups shall embrace democratic, representative government for a new and modern Iran We shall set our fellow Iranians free to achieve democracy in Iran, which is a must for peace and prosperity throughout the Middle East. The Coalition (CIOG) has provided President Trump and Secretary of State Pompeo an Iran policy and Strategy Plan to replace the tyrannical, theocracy in Tehran. This plan has subsequently developed into the formation of the new Iran Action Group within the U.S. Department of State to support freedom for the Iranian people, to increase pressure for regime change in Iran, and to prepare and plan for a post-regime Iran.
Some of the components of the plan are:
• Intensification and coordination of the strikes and protests across Iran.
• Connecting TV and radio broadcasts from outside Iran to the social networks behind street actions in Iranian cities.
• Bringing Iran’s political elite to focus sharply on their common demand for free and fair elections for a Constitutional Assembly.
• Mobilizing performing artists, film directors, athletes, and other popular celebrities to demand a new democratic Constitution.
• Creating and reinforcing existing links between civil society organizations, particularly those representing women, labor, teachers, student unions, health workers, utilities, and government services workers.
• Coordination of the Iranian ethnic groups’ civil actions for equal rights.
Recent demonstrations in a hundred cities in Iran show that people are frustrated and losing faith with the current government. It has taken two decades for most Iranians to clearly see the critical flaws in the current regime. The theocratic government under the Mullahs is responsible for abject poverty, disease, and social decline. What is unprecedented is that this time the tired slogan of “Death to America” has changed to “Our enemy is right here, they lie when they say it is America”, chanted in demonstrations across Iran! Protests in Iran have spread from Mashad to ninety cities and towns. As a result, there is dissension in the middle ranks of State Security organizations. This time, in the inner sanctum of government, there is an admission of hopelessness in solving exigent national problems. This time the President and his Intelligence Ministry are in deep despair. Without an organized pro-democracy opposition, an implosion soon can result in anarchy in Iran and uncontainable instability in the region. We may not have more than 12 months to get a handle on the situation and prevent uncontrollable collapse and total failure of the state in Iran. Another goal of the Coalition is to strengthen the Iranian people vis-à-vis the theocracy in their quest for democracy and freedom by holding free and fair Elections for a Constitutional Assembly after the regime fails and is diminished in its power to oppress the Iranian people. Furthermore, the Coalition desires to encourage the United States and other free nations to support the Coalition in its efforts to form a new, democratic Iran.
The core precepts of the Coalition of Iranian Opposition Groups are to bring planned guidelines to the Iranian people and reject the corrupted of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• We demand that any present and future government of Iran respect women’s rights and remove the laws that force women to wear the hijab and allow them the same equal rights as men. Human rights will be respected and protected and guaranteed by a new Constitution.
• Stop all executions.
• Stop sending children to wars.
• Withdraw from Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq and cease and desist from the support of terrorism and narcotics trafficking.
• Immediately return the stolen financial assets by the thieves of the current regime and use that money to pay all outstanding salaries and increase the salaries of government employees in order for them to be able to live.
• All schools and meals at schools must be free.
• All courts must be open to the public.
• All political prisoners must be released.
• The right to vote without the exclusion of any civil law-abiding Iranian citizens.
• End the velayat-e faqih system of governance.
Looking at recent events in Iran, we have witnessed a sharp decline in the value of money in Iran in recent weeks, and to a large extent, this has caused many people to start buying and storing food. It should be realized that this change is in the price of foreign currencies, especially the dollar, and results from inadequacy and poor management of the country. US sanctions have crippled the Iranian economy, and we are witnessing the outflow of large corporations from Iran. Europe has been unsuccessful in trying to keep the nuclear deal, and it must be said openly that it has failed. With the imposition of sanctions that will begin in November to begin, countries and companies should choose between Iran and the United States. It’s clear that they are choosing the United States.
Iran’s economy is very weak and is heading for a full bankruptcy. However, a lot of people who are thinking about themselves regardless of the situation in our country. The Iranian government has no path forward in its negotiating with the US government. Of course, they have proposed an unofficial negotiation that they face with the opposition of the US government. It should be noted that this stupidity of the Iranian leaders means nothing but destruction for the country. The whole effort of the Iranian government is to run the clock out on the two years that remain of the Trump presidency, and they hope that during the next president’s term Trump will not be elected. The Iranian government has begun to talk to Democrat members like John Kerry and wants to influence the US election, which I am sure will fail with the intelligence of the US government. Our task at this time is to fully support the government of Trump and intelligently.
Unification and reconciliation of the various cultures within Iran like the Balochis, Awazis, Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Persians is critical to the new Iran. The theme of the CIOG is “We will free our beloved country from the claws of this brutal and despotic regime and will rebuild it with the power of our love for it!”.