IRAN: SUPPORTERS OF THE GREEN MOVEMENT PRESENT

UNCLAS LONDON 002485

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV UK IR
SUBJECT: IRAN: SUPPORTERS OF THE GREEN MOVEMENT PRESENT
LETTER CONDEMNING THE 1979 EMBASSY TEHRAN SIEGE

REF: LONDON 2406


1. (U) On November 4, about 10 self-identified supporters of
the Green Movement of Iran delivered a letter (text below)
and a commemorative plaque expressing regret for the
take-over of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. London Iran
Watcher accepted the items on behalf of the embassy. A few
members of the press, including VOA and Sky News, filmed the
presentation. Alireza Nourizadeh, who presented the items,
made comments similar to those in the letter and expressed
the group's appreciation for President Obama's statement on
the thirtieth anniversary of the taking of the Embassy in
Tehran. Embassy representative made no statement.



2. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER:

The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been
created of one essence.

Mr. Barack Obama
The President of the United States of American
The White House
Washington, DC
USA


Dear Mr. President,
On the 4 November 1979 a group of students calling themselves
"the followers of Imam Khomenei's line" raided the American
Embassy in Tehran and held its 52 members of staff for the
following 444 days in what became known internationally as
the "hostage crisis."

Thirty years on, the remaining leaders of the same regime
that sanctioned that inhumane and disgraceful act remain in
power and still instigate their rented crowd to "celebrate"
the occasion across the major cities of Iran.

However, neither the Iranian regime nor the Iranian people
are the same as they were 30 years ago. Today they are the
two clear and opposing poles of a nation where a minority led
by a despot called Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing a vast
majority who reject his currupt, repressive and dictatorial
regime by simply aspiring for democracy, human rights and the
rule of law.

The civilised and ancient Iranian people have never regarded
the American people as their adversaries and indeed they look
upon them as a peace and justice loving people from whose
history they can derive inspirations in their own struggle
for these universal and humanitarian values.

As such, in the eyes of the Iranian people, the President of
the United States is seen as the rightful carrier of the
beacon of freedom and justice who would never side with the
enemy of those who seek to achieve and enjoy these noble
causes.

We, the supporters of the Green Movement of Iran, which is
leading the current upheaval of our people for freedom,
condemn that hostage taking unconditionally and look forward
to a future when an Iran liberated from the rule of
Khamenei-Ahmadinejad's dark alliance will be the best friend
of the United States to herald peace, coexistence and
prosperity for mankind.

Sir, we count on your support for our just struggle.

With our sincere regards,
Supporters of the Green Movement of Iran.

END TEXT OF LETTER.

Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom

LeBaron