Opposition to any government can be conveyed in two ways: operating in the government or going underground. Before the Islamic revolution in Iran by Ayatollah Khomeini, MKO opposed to the Shah and was one of the groups taking part in overthrowing the Shah. After the revolution, the organization continued its opposition and posed strong criticism towards the Islamic state. The people of Iran should have supported the MKO and its requests (as they supported Imam Khomeini) if the group was right; but this never happened.
MKO resorted to assassination and murder, which came from their ideology and thinking. The ideology is the same one that exists in other mafia groups. The MKO conducted unprecedented terrorist operation: bombing the shrine of Imam Reza.
This brought a heavy price for the organization because it stood right before the people. Elites, while criticizing the dominant culture, never allow themselves to commit mass murder. Besides, this contradicts their national identity. It’s impossible for political and other groups to achieve their goals by such attacks.
The MKO lost the chance of cooperating with the people. Instead, they were subjected to harsh criticism by people. Will the people, apart from the government and officials, ignore this murderous brutal act?
We witness the same issue in Iraq. No one denies the fact that there should be critics in all countries, but what kind of critics and oppositions?
Don’t we need groups that block the appointment of inadequate people to critical posts?
Don’t we want people who stand firm against the exploitation of ministries?
Yes, there should be critics and resistance in every country, particularly among people, and particularly when some officials don’t have enough power in their office and some others plunder the public properties.
However, those who claim to be "resistance" today are in touch with mercenary groups, Baath leaders, terrorists and arms dealers. Consequently, they resort to assassination and what the MKO did before. It’s amazing that the operations, bombings and attacks of Baathists and Wahabis in Iraq are very very similar to those conducted by the MKO. In addition, the MKO has/had close ties with the Baath party.
Anyway, we lack a resistance and it seems that what happened in Iran will be repeated in Iraq.
Following the bombings in Karbala, Najaf, Baghdad, Samera and other cities’ mosques, people separated their way from such groups, although some officials use this to cover their wrongdoings.
Isn’t the time ripe for the officials to have a new look at their critics? And isn’t it time for critics to correct their views on officials?
Yes, this is possible if the two sides accept the following:
1. Iraqi government and elites should open new ways to really hear the voice of critics and to criticize their own activities.
2. Critics should put down their arms and start negotiation with the new government.
Abdullatif Alharz/Sydney, Australia/ 2006/09/07