Iranian weblog reaction
: It is fascinating to see not only Iraqi weblog reaction to the capture of Saddam but also Iranian weblog reaction — for, of course, Saddam was their hated enemy as well.
Hossein Derakhshan makes sure we remember that Saddam had backing from us and France in his war against Iran.
Nobody was happier than most Iranians seeing Saddam looking like stinky homeless men–except for Iraqis of course.
I broke into tears when I saw the most brutal dictator in the world was captured, who once was a close friend to both Mr. Chirac and Mr. Rumsfel–at the same time….
Although the Iran-Iraq war was the war between two groups of dictators whose entire existence was based on the war. (Ayatollah Khomeini used war to get rid of his internal opponents, as well as Saddam) However, there was a huge history of anti-Persian feelings among Arabs and anti-Arabism among Iranians involved.
Now, patriotically speaking, nothing is more painful than seeing Palestinians grieving for Saddam, while our whole foreign policy is stupidly tied to the issue of Israel-Palestine. Not to mention that Yasser Arafat was a big supporter of Saddam during the war with Iran, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, UAE–and France.
It was France that revived the low-tech, soviet made army of Iraq after it was almost destroyed by the Iranian US-made army. I still don’t forget that all we could here were Mirages, Sokhos, Migs as Iraqi fighters. if it wasn’t for the support and silence of the US, Europe and Russia, Saddam couldn’t resist the faithful, strong and patriotic Iranians (with a cover of Islamic radicalism of course).
He is now in the US custody, helpless and miserable. But however we have problems with the regime of Mullahs, we shouldn’t let the world forget that they once were backing the same brutal man. I’m delighted to see Iranian government intends to open a case against him for the war crimes during the bloody eight year war–maybe it leads to some big scandals, especially in Europe. They weren’t as anti-war activists as they are now. Ask thousands who have lost their voices, kidneys, lungs, etc. and waiting to see an end to their painful lives in hospitals in Tehran.
: Iran4Dummies subscribes to Debka’s view that Saddam was not in charge but was, instead, a prisoner himself, held captive by his own men for the $25 million bounty (but they blew that).
: Nema Milaninia at Iranian truth writes about a confrontation with a student:
Yesterday afternoon a professor had brought up the issue of Saddam’s arrest and asked the class what they felt about. Almost everyone was disappointed, for a variety of reasons. The professor then discussed the issue with me and I was very clear to her “If I was in your class I’d yell at every single one of your students as a human, an Iranian, a Shi’ite and a peace-loving citizen of this world.” Coincidentally one of these students walked into the office as we were carrying on this discussion and the professor told the student about my stance and we consequently got into our argument. The position of the student was that no student condones what Saddam did but that they afraid that Saddam’s arrest will give more weight to the American war machine. They also hate the US occupation and wish that Iraq was ruled by its own and controlled by its own. In addition, though they did not like Saddam he did represent to them a man who at least fought against the Americans, rather then be subservient to them, as so many of the other states are. In response, I told him 1) a man like Saddam, Hitler, Kissenger, Idi Amin, whatever, should never be looked upon as the defender of anything. …
: Pejman has multiple posts on the news.
: Sassan says:
First of all to all of those Iranian soldiers who lost their lives for the 8 year battle, between Iran and Iraq, we now know the legacy of a true dictator which kills his own people.
congrats everyone
: I earlier sent you to Pedram’s eloquent graphic comment.
