anoninnyc
15-04-2007, 07:11 PM
Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh (1882-1967) was a lawyer, professor, author, Governor, Parliament member, Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, and democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran.
Mossadegh fought both internal corruption and British colonialism, enacted social reforms and nationalized the Iranian oil industry. In 1953, he was overthrown by a U.S. funded CIA coup, arrested and tried as a traitor in military tribunal court. It was America's first successful dismantling of a foreign government, and Iran has not known democracy since.
from www.mohammadmossadegh.com
Tried as a traitor in a military court, on December 19, 1953, Mossadegh pronounced:
"Yes, my sin-- my greater sin... and even my greatest sin is that I nationalized Iran's oil industry and discarded the system of political and economic exploitation by the world's greatest empire. ...This at the cost to myself, my family; and at the risk of losing my life, my honor and my property. ...With God's blessing and the will of the people, I fought this savage and dreadful system of international espionage and colonialism.
...I am well aware that my fate must serve as an example in the future throughout the Middle East in breaking the chains of slavery and servitude to colonial interests."
Mossadegh was convicted of treason. He was placed in solitary confinement for three years followed by house arrest for the remainder of his life in his ancestral village of Ahmad Abad. On March 5th, 1967, Mohammad Mossadegh died at age 85, one year after the passing of his beloved wife of 64 years.
Mossadegh lived with the motto: "If I sit silently, I have sinned." - a timeless call to action to all who seek peace and justice in the world, at any place, any time.
Mossadegh fought both internal corruption and British colonialism, enacted social reforms and nationalized the Iranian oil industry. In 1953, he was overthrown by a U.S. funded CIA coup, arrested and tried as a traitor in military tribunal court. It was America's first successful dismantling of a foreign government, and Iran has not known democracy since.
from www.mohammadmossadegh.com
Tried as a traitor in a military court, on December 19, 1953, Mossadegh pronounced:
"Yes, my sin-- my greater sin... and even my greatest sin is that I nationalized Iran's oil industry and discarded the system of political and economic exploitation by the world's greatest empire. ...This at the cost to myself, my family; and at the risk of losing my life, my honor and my property. ...With God's blessing and the will of the people, I fought this savage and dreadful system of international espionage and colonialism.
...I am well aware that my fate must serve as an example in the future throughout the Middle East in breaking the chains of slavery and servitude to colonial interests."
Mossadegh was convicted of treason. He was placed in solitary confinement for three years followed by house arrest for the remainder of his life in his ancestral village of Ahmad Abad. On March 5th, 1967, Mohammad Mossadegh died at age 85, one year after the passing of his beloved wife of 64 years.
Mossadegh lived with the motto: "If I sit silently, I have sinned." - a timeless call to action to all who seek peace and justice in the world, at any place, any time.