FLAG OF FREEDOM ORGANIZATION OF IRAN 

GUIDE TO POLITICAL ACTION

On the suggestion of fellow cmbatants in Iran, seventeen years ago the FLAG OF FREEDOM ORGANIZATION ( FFO ) of Iran ( Sazeman-e-Derafsh-e-Kaviani ) prepared a 41 page titled “ Guide to Political Action: the strategy of a popular struggle.” The booklet describes in some detail the organization’s ideology and political programs and disobedience and the methods it advocates in organizing and waging a popular struggle against the “ Islamic Republic “ of Iran. This booklet as presented here is a shortened version for easier and wider distribution inside and outside of Iran. For combating this repressive terrorist regime four key factors should be kept in mind.

These are:

A)   Motivation, B) Fighting Strategy, C) Political Program,

D) Organization Activity.

A)   MOTIVATION:

The combatants must motivate the people into action against the regime by making theme realize that existance of this regime is in conflict with the sovereignty of people of Iran, with their values and beliefs and with the higher national interests of Iran. Resorting to the following tactics will help in arousing the people:

1-    Invidiously compare present conditions in Iran with the period before the revolution and with the progress made in neigbouring countries and others similar to Iran.

2-    Criticize the behavior of thr regime’s and expose their lies, power rivalries, deceptive tactics, incompetence, corruption, and human rights violations with a view to discrediting them in the eyes of the people.

3-    Keep up with local, national and international news and developments and draw conclusions detrimental to the regime particularly in regard to terrorist activities inside and outside of Iran.

4-    Try to make us of the Internet System and other electronic means of conveyance of information regarding the deteriorating social, economic, political and civil conditions in Iran.

5-    Aquaint the people with the democratic liberation movements throughout the world so that they will become more inspired and resolute in their fight for democracy .

6-    Make the people more cncious of their power and more confident of their final victory. Emphasize the regime’s basic weaknesses and contradictions. Boosting the people’s morale must be viewed as a duty by every Iranian opposed to the regime. They must combat the erroneous perceptions by some outside of Iran that Iranians are weak and prone to tyranny, that they are fatalistic, and by those who contend that the nation’s destiny is in the hands of foreign powers and that the   “ Islamic Republic “ can hold on to power indefinitely by resorting to force and oppression.

     B) FIGHTING STRATEGY :          

The FFO’s  fighting strategy is based on using the Iranian nation’s enormous strength through mobilizing broad grass-root participation in the struggle. Such a popular strategy has the biggest chance to succeed. Waiting for a probable military coup d’etat or the arrival of a national savior will prevent the people from launching a sustained and broadly-based struggle against the regime. The FFO has however, always considered the role of the police and the armed forces in the final days of liberation of Iran to be crucial. There are many FFO cells presently active within the army, police, and the revolutionary guards who are mobilizing their rank and files for this purpose. In following such a popular strategy , patience, high moral and confidence about the future and victory of the people are essential. Time is in our side against the regime. Such a strategy also means making the people more and more aware and active. To do this the following tactics would be helpful:

1-    PROPAGANDA :

In rousig and mobilizing the people and maintaining high moral in them, propaganda is an indispensable tool. The “ Islamic Republic “ has been using propaganda on a large scale. Combatants must consistently expose the regime’s intents and technique in propaganda and render them ineffective. They must show that the regime has neither legal, religious or moral legitimacy and that it has not improved the lot of the down-trodden.

It has not enhanced Iran’s position in the region or vis-à-vis the world powers. It does not have the competence to govern and reconstruct Iran. It is essential that the opponents inside and outside Iran coordinate their activities including propaganda activities and establish organizational links. Those inside must help strengthen the external activities efforts by continuously supplying them with fresh news and views about the conditions in the “ Islamic Republic “ .

2-    SUSTAINED RESISTANCE :

In combatting a regime which is bent on mercilessly destroying its opponents, sustained resistance is crucial. Staying away from Friday prayer meetings and “religious” processions, boycotting elections and political gathering, refusing to pay taxes, fines, “religious” dues and charity contributions, refusing to buy bonds, closing all personal checking and savings bank accounts, work stoppage and absenteeism in offices and factories, spreading rumors, writing slogans on the walls, defacing the regime’s posters, public notices and wall slogans and divulging the regime’s lies and false statistics of economic growth and development are essential. These and similar acts of civil disobedience constitute methods of passive and active ressistance which are risk-free and highly effective in demoralizing weakening and bringing the downfall of the regime.

3-   INFILTRATING EVERYWHERE :

In a popular struggle, no sector should be left out. Combatants should infiltrate every institution and government organ to gather information, to recruit individuals, to obstruct the ongoing operations and to disrupt the regime’s intelligence, counter intelligence operations and terrorist actions.

4-   DEMORALIZING SUPPORTERS :

The Iranian peple have lost faith in the “ Islamic Republic “. The regimes true nature and those of the pseudo-clerics who try to rule them in the name of Islam has now been revealed to them. Nevertheless, the combatants should persistently expose the regime’s deceptiveness, corruption and incompetence to demoralize and disillusion the regime’s remaining followers. It must be pointed out that Islam and the present government are not one and the same and the two should not be confused. The regime’s followers and operatives must be encouraged to join the people. Those whose hands have not been tained by the blood of the innocent people should not be made to feel apprehensive about their future. They must be assured that in Iran of tomorrow there will be no avenging or personal vendetta. The law will reign supreme.

    5) CULTURAL OFFENSIVE :

Relying on Iranian nationalism, traditions, social mores, arts and literature is an effective way of resisting this anti-Iranian regime. Iran’s rich cultural heritage should be used to counter the regime’s religious fanaticism and regressive policies. Combatants should make a point of celebrating national holidays, giving Iranian names to the children, using Persian words, stressing a new Persian history and literature, and giving encouragement to Iranian writers and artists who have kept the flame of our rich culture alive. Forming literary and artistic associations should be encouraged.

C) POLITICAL PROGRAMS :

An overwhelming majority of the Iranian people no longer wish to live under this regime. Every group in Iran has its own reasons to oppose the regime. The historical experience in the past twenty- five years should have given the Iranian people the preparation and insights to set aside short-sightedness, cynicism and rivalries and genuinely ponder on the future of Iran. Based on shared values and principles, they should be able to agree on a political program to liberate the homeland and set it on a course of political stability and  socio-economic and cultural progress.

Opposition to the Islamic Republic does not simply mean opposition to a particular person or a group of individuals. The Iranian people oppose these people not so much for what they are but for what they stand for, their values, ideology and actions are being rejected. If the regime of            “Supreme Religious Guide“ proved to represent the dark forces of insanity, and destruction, the alternative future regime should represent the enlightened forces of sanity and progress. The opposition’s political program should be derived from the Iranian national experience which goes back to the Constitutional Revlution of 1966 when the era of political awakening and modernization was ushered in. The cause of national awakening will not be stopped by a temporary historical aberration called the “Islamic Republic” . The Iranian’s national aspirations should dictate the opposition’s political platform. These include: Iranian nationalism, Iran’s territorical integrity, national self- determination, seperation of religion and state, the rule of law, respect for human righrs and civil liberties, social justice progress, prosperity and love of Iran, Iranians and mankind.

                1 – IRANIAN NATIONALISM :

The Iranian people also known as Persians by the outside world, take pride in their long history. They are attached to the land and the Persian cultureband its rich and deeply-rooted traditions and exult in it. Defending Iran’s national interests is their first duty. Iran’s foreign policy will have to be based on maintaining political independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty of the people, cooperation with neighboring countries, and friendly relations with all nations on a reciprocal basis and the restoration of Iran’s rightful place in the community of nations.

             2 – SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE AND THE RULE         

                 OF LAW:

Iran’s destiny and the form of its government should be determined by the free will of the Iranian people. The law should rule the land and the law makers should be elected by the free choice of the majority of the people. Every Iranian citizen is equal before the law. No laws or majority rule can take away the inalienable rights of individuals. These rights have been defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Covenants on Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Religion is a private affair of individuals and should be separate from the state. No one has the right to rule the country in the name of religion. The independence of the judiciary with power to oversee the constitutionality of the laws enacted and to supervise their implementation and to adjudicate citizens complaint against the government and vice-versa is of crucial importance.

               3 – NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND            

                   SOCIAL JUSTICE :

Economic development, scientific and technological progress, general welfare, social justice and proper education of the youth – the true victims of the “Islamic” regime’s ineptitude corruption and regressive world view should be elevated to the level of a national commitment. National development should be a comprehensive and well  - integrated effort to include all aspects of socisl, cultural, economic and political life. In forging a progressive Iran. Education of the young, manpower training, restoration of rights of women, combating religious superstition and social discrimination, guarantee of rights of ethnic and religious minorities, provision of full employment and guarantee of a minimum of living standard commensurate with the human dignity for every Iranian citizen should be given special emphasis.

         D) ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES :

Opposition to this repressive regime requires continuous and widespread organizational effort, both covert and overt, inside and outside Iran.

This includes :

                    1 – Iranians inside and outside should be mobilized and 

                          organized into a political force capable of effectively          

                          opposing the repressive regime replacing it and rebuilding

                          the country.

                    2 – A core of reliable and activist cadres forms the backbone

                          of this political organization.

                    3 – In a steadfast political and propaganda effort, the regime’s

                          repressive forces should constantly be weakened and

                          demoralized.

                    4 – Nationalist forces of all shades of opinion should be brought

                          ever closer together by broad agreements reached

                          concerning a political plan for the future of Iran.

UNDERGROUND NETWORK :

The underground organization comprised of a network of loosely connected cells which are active inside Iran have shown their strength in our struggle for freedom. Today FFO has over 5,000 active cells all over Iran. Each cell is formed by two to five friends, relatives and colleagues – in a work or social setting, - and at times connected to another cell through the cell leader who will not reveal the identities of other cell member. The gathering three to five cell leaders or liaison members constitute a branch. A branch leader could further join three to five other branch leaders to make up a local headquarters. Three to five headquarters leaders constitute a regional council which is the highest organizational level in the network inside a locality. The regional councils are directly connected with the FFO’s leadership abroad. Thus at the lowest level of the hierarchy lies the cell units and at the highest level inside the country the regional councils. Such a horizontal network of underground cells has been established within the past sixteen years throughout the country. Our activists are constantly engaged in the measured expansion of cells within the armed forces, civilian sector, teaching community, women, youth, administration and thr public in general. The underground network, as described above, is structurally and functionally different from a bona fide political party. Its limited members are meticulously selected from among those with combative spirit and leadership qualities. More importantly, cell members must be highly reliable to avoid exposure and infiltration by the regime’s agents . Cell units have been formed everywhere throughout the country, in the government ministries and agencies, in athletic and social clubs, in business firms, in professional associations, in schools, universities and factories and among friends and relatives.

WHAT THE NETWORK CELLS DO ?

Their activities consist of :

1 – Keeping the flame of liberation of Iran alifht.

2 – Organizing and mobilizing opposition to the regime.

3 – Infiltrating the regime’s organizations.

4 – Divulging the truth and the lies, deceptions and corruptions of the 

      regime.

5 – Conveying political education and giving moral support to combatants.

6 – Learning how to carry out a vast range of covert operations, and

      engage in subversive activities and counter the regime’s methods of

      spying, repression and infilteratiom.

7 – Arranging political demondtrations, strikes and engaging in such

      activities as, writing, graffiti and defacing the regime’s wall slogans

      and posters, distributing tracts and declarations and pictures.

8 – Gathering and sending information to FFO activists about the regime’s

      agents and key personal, and about behind the doors decisions and

      developments concerning regime’s deals, intrigues, corruptions and

      repressive acts.

9 – Taking advantage of meetings and informal gatherings to prudently

      criticize the authorities and incite the people against them. Cell

      members should constantly remind other Iranians of the regime’s

      propaganda fabrications, shortcomings and inevitable downfall.

10-Identifying FFO’s supporters and other opponents of the regime

     with a view of mobilizing their support.

THE ROLE OF THE IRANIANS ABROAD :

While the main stage to fight the “Islamic” regime remains inside Iran, the burden of the struggle should be shared by the Iranians outside the country as well. There is dangerous tendency on the part of both sides to expect the other to lead the resistance. Those abroad expect those inside to risk their lives under brutal repression and violence to make it possible for the exile community to return home, not realizing what adverse effect the outsiders bickerings, inactivity and indifference has on the morale of combatants inside. Similarly, Iranians inside expect their compatriots outside who are immune to repression and violence – which is order of the day inside Iran – to take the lead in liberating the country. Only the regime can benefit from this state, of passing of the buck. Surely Iranians everywhere, inside and outside the homeland, should make a concerted effort in resisting the ruling clerics, freeing Iran and asserting their rights. Iranians abroad have a number of advantages which can significantly contribute to the national struggle:

A.   A sizable number are highly educated with professional experience in

many fields making them well suited to contribute today to the

national struggle.

B.   Iranians abroad have unlimited contacts with their friends and

relatives in Iran which the regime can not eliminate. These contacts

can be used in giving further impetus and direction to the ongoing

national struggle.

C.   Based on the unfavorable rate of foreign currency exchange in the

“Islamic Republic”, a little contribution by each Iranian abroad can

contribute substantially to the financial needs of the combatants

inside.

D.   The Iranian abroad can, and must within the legal limits and in line

with the prevailing practices of the host country, engage in all kinds

of political activities, aimed at ending the clerics repressive rule in

Iran.

More specifically, Iranians abroad should:

1 - Organize, enhance the political awareness and motivation of their fellow              compatriots abroad with the aim of unifying their forces against the regime.

2 – Contribute cash or services to the combatants inside and to the FFO.

3 – Send anti-regime political literature cassettes, video-cassettes and other materials to Iran.

4 – Help make world public openion more aware of the repressive nature of the regime, its terrorist hands and gross and systematic violations of human rights in Iran.

5 – Arrange public demonstrations against the regime whereever they live.

6 – Help expand the underground network of cells in Iran by persuading trusted friends and relatives in Iran to become active.

7 – Help facilitate communications with and between the combatants in Iran.

8 – Remain actively involved in whatever other activities which could enhance liberation and freedom of Iran.