Custom Search
Iran, what does it mean for Nicaragua and Latin America
Submitted by rholmes on Sun, 2009/06/21 - 06:53.
There has been a lot of controversy about Iran: Visas, Tractors, A new Port, People showing up at the Iranian Embassy, etc., I wonder what the Nicaraguense take on the current Iranian 'situation' surrounding the Election is? Nicaragua had their own election controversy. I believe the current Iranian establishment has warm relations with Chavez, also. Seems like there may be some reconciliation with the anti-US alliance, and the support for the People of Iran to determine their own destiny.
Has the Ortega said anything about the goings on in Iran? What is the take of 'El hombre en la calle' in Nicaragua?
The worker here
knows little about this, or Iran in general. It is only us who make these links into more than they are in real life. Not to say that the close to political theory speculations are bad or wrong, just that they are really far removed from reality or meaning for the immediate or mid term future of NICA.
If anything should the average NICA know what is going on in Iran, it would send a message about what happens to protestors who screw with the government and what could happen to them if they try. I think it is exactly the opposite of something that will build anti-US sentiment...and rather show that people are having a tough time in Iran (and could be Nica) trying to express their will. BTW..I am one of those who does not think that the election was necessarily stolen, but a lot of the Iranian people do. Also noteworthy is the fact that the defeated candidate was no great friend of the West and had the same nuke policy. So it does look like a real internally driven thing.
In my opinion, (and Obama has not yet called to ask of it) this is a good time for the USA to STFO of it and let things develop. The current party will prevail, but over time what happened will change things internally and that will be good for Iran and world.ZZT
The worker here
In Nicaragua the average person is more preocupied with his/her situation than what is happening in Iran. Although I live outside of Nicaragua I do talk to my family and friends there and of course there are of two or more opinions. Older nicas make sure to tell the young what can happen to you if you become involved in politics especially against the government. Nicaraguans know that there are two types of demonstrations: one is sanctioned by the government and the other not sanctioned by the government,and yet they take to the streets regardless. During Somozas time the dangers were more palpable and the consequences more dire for those who dare question the government the main example was the assasination of Pedro Joaquin Chamorro ,back in 1978,renown and respected by nicas through his open opposition and criticism of Somoza and his people. Nicaragua's history is full of such episodes and maybe in the future such events will be a thing of the past. At least now you can make fun of the administration and not fear for your life(watch the show Los Hulosos on channel 2). Personally I think the people of Iran have a rough time ahead; on one side you have the hard line religious backers of the Ayatolah they've had some 38 years to apply all the elements such as oppresion,mistrust and suppresion of basic liberties that we take for granted on its fellow citizens and they make certain to keep fresh in their minds what kind of person the late Shah was and whose interests he represented and protected. On the other side a younger generation at a crossroads struggling to somehow balance their yearning to be part of a modern world and still keep its identity. A couple of days ago there was an article on The Washington Post titled What Iranians Want and yes its hard to have a clear view when the people are afraid to speak their mind. So whether the elections were stolen or not I can only say that there are other ways to steal an election you know through manipulation of the vote. Manipulation is alive and well here in the land of the free. Both sides used it. Identify the issues that matter to voters do the math and preach to the choir what they want to hear. In Nicaragua as in Iran the issues take a back seat to persecusion, beatings,jail, torture and eventually death. Look at Cuba. As long as the USA feels that whatever takes place in Iran now as in the future does not pose an imminent threat to its national security it will not interfere at least not directly. I believe that a nation that chooses its own path and its people are free its a good thing for them and for the whole world but that my friends hasn't happened yet.
I just thought it was compelling in general &
I just thought it was compelling in general & and the Iran/Nicaragua relationship in particular. The world is a puzzle where all the pieces dont fit together perfectly, there are always overlaps and gaps. The things that jumped in to my mind where things like not too long ago the US supreme leader was calling them them "The Axis of Evil," the US is still worried about their nuclear ambitions, and now the Iranian protester is the No. 1 underdog, CNN and Faux are filled with protester in Iran and protest parties in the US. The socialist president is being lambasted for not being strong enough in words. In Nicaragua, it the old axiom, "politics make strange bedfellows" with Iran getting close to Nicaragua last year and the US press worried about that "beach head in Central America" again. How can Daniel "poder al pueblo" Ortega reconcile being Ahmadinejad's buddy while they are cracking down on their own Pueblo? Maybe it is tough for Ortega's supporters, but easy for his detractors to explain. The other thing that I could not over look is from my American viewpoint, people in Iran seem to schedule the street actions in the same way as in Nicaragua, the the good guys and the bad guys schedule the protests with each other. If there wasnt so much tragedy, it would be more satisfying to watch
"if you see someone who has lost their smile, give them one of yours"
Have you not been to Oz?
What is so particular about the Iran/Nicaragua relationship? Ortega is doing nothing new nor strange. The only difference is with whom Ortega is dealing with. Unfortunately our so called Nicas "leaders" have always felt compelled to either solicitate foreign assistance or allow foreign interference in the dealings of our country. Out of weakness, economical or military and mainly to procure great fortune. Nicaragua as many other small and not so small nations have been nothing more than an Hacienda and the president nothing more than a Capataz/overseer. Who or what was Somoza but an employee of the USA? As Roosevelt said when asked what he thought of that SOB Somoza? Well Somoza may be an SOB but he is our SOB,came the answer. Ortega answered before to Russia , then CAstro and now Chavez. Why? Because he has no self respect and no love for Nicaragua like all the others that came before him and pretty sure the ones that will come after him. That axiom "politics make strange bedfellows" applies more aptly to the government of the USA than to Nicaragua. Remember who backed the Shah and why? And when the Shah was overthrown then who the USA government backed then? I believe that the everyday American is like everybody else in this world. But is our leaders that made us who and what we are now. In America throughout the years the people have been led to believe in themselves and have a sense of ownership of the land no matter your background and the governments have been wise enough to give back to the people enough to cement their trust and loyalty. I love Nicaragua but I despise every single one of the so called leaders for too great and blinding their ambition has been . I guess they can't help themselves for thatis the legacy of the Spaniards. As to Daniel and Ahmadinejad cracking down on their Pueblo, those guys Pueblos are not the ones protesting but their supporters so they have no qualms about coming down hard on them as you guys say "no skin of my nose". And finally if you ever participated in a protest against the government you surely know that an action begets a reaction and a government that rules through oppression will not hesitate to take whatever measures to show who's boss because after all they themselves are afraid. The weak relies on force but the strong relies on reason. Adios Amigo.