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Iranians pledge to bomb, die
We should pledge to help them with the latterTEHRAN, Iran Under a banner showing coffins draped with American, British and Israeli flags, more than 100 Iranian men and women pledged Thursday to become suicide bombers if necessary to defend their country and Islam. The event, held in a burial area for war dead and martyrs, was similar to others in recent years, with Islamic chants and songs and volunteers donning white coverings to symbolize their willingness to die. But this gathering, coming when many Iranians worry their country could come under attack by the United States or Israel, was tailored to send a message of defiance against any possible military action over Iran's nuclear program. "The threats from America have swelled our ranks and given us added conviction," said Margess, 27, who like the other volunteers would give only her first name. "We will stand up against them with our lives." No weapons or explosives were displayed, but the ceremony was organized by a shadowy group believed to have links to the Basiji paramilitary group backed by Iran's Islamic regime. A huge banner used as a backdrop showed flag-covered coffins. A message in English promised to "damage the U.S. worldwide" in retaliation for any attack on Iran. It's unclear how the potential suicide bombers are recruited or trained, although several claimed to be Basiji members. Officials claiming to represent the group refused to give details, and the event appeared largely staged for the media. Some of the female volunteers held children on their laps. "If asked by Iran's leaders, we will fight anywhere," said Hussein, 56, a volunteer with a wife and four children. "The world should know that Iranians embrace martyrdom." Volunteers mingled around monuments to attackers, including a Palestinian suicide bomber, an Iranian militiaman killed by the U.S. forces in Iraq, and two commandos who helped carry out the 1983 blast at Marine barracks in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. servicemen. The volunteer bombers waved Qurans. One held a placard paraphrasing Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution: "Our nation is the first to prove that America can't do anything." Posted by: ryuge 2006-05-26 |
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