(S/NF) IRANIAN PROTEST PLANNERS MEET WITH

S E C R E T KUWAIT 001848

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/NGA, NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2013
TAGS: PREL IR
SUBJECT: (S/NF) IRANIAN PROTEST PLANNERS MEET WITH
DISSIDENT CLERIC

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.5 (d)
and 1.6 (6)


1. (S/NF) Poloff spoke with Washington-based American-Iranian
activist Mark Namdar (strictly protect) on May 3, 2003. Mr.
Namdar serves as an unofficial spokesman and intermediary for
U.S.-based Iranian student movement leader and political
asylee Reza Mohajeri-Nejad. Mr. Namdar claims that the
Iranian student group Students for Secular Democracy (Jonbesh
Daneshjooyan) is planning massive protests in Tehran for July
9 -- the anniversary of the 1999 demonstration and subsequent
regime crackdown at Tehran University -- to include
occupation of government ministries. Mr. Namdar said
Students for Democracy leaders are expecting up to one
million protesters.


2. (S/NF) Although the group, made up of five separate
student organizations and headed by formerly imprisoned
student activist Heshmatallah Tabarzadi, is spearheading the
demonstrations, Namdar claims the organization has been able
to gather support from many segments of society, including
Basij forces and people close to President Mohammad Khatami.
In addition, Namdar claims Tabarzadi met with Ayatollah
Hossein Ali Montazeri four to five days ago to discuss how
Montazeri could be a "key figure in this process." Namdar
could not provide any additional details about the meeting.


3. (S/NF) Asked why such a wide array of movements would be
working together, Namdar said that his contacts say people in
Iran are so frustrated by their current situation that,
despite political differences, they are willing to join hands
to try and "overthrow the government." Namdar added that
Tabarzadi has contacts within police organizations and has
managed to convince them to put their weapons down when the
protests begin. In addition, he claims that a large number
of Bazaari merchants have agreed to close their shops and
join the protests.


4. (S/NF) Despite efforts to gather support from all segments
of Iranian society, Namdar admits the planning efforts are
chaotic, mostly due to a lack of experience by many of the
groups involved. However, he said he is optimistic that
organizing efforts for the protest are gaining momentum, and
he has overcome his initial doubts about the effort. Namdar
claims to have already met with VOA and NSC staff, and has an
appointment to meet with Iran Desk officers this week.


5. (S/NF) Comment: While post has not been able to
independently verify any of Mr. Namdar's claims, we thought
it best to pass on this information for the record.
JONES