Word: shahs
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...speech to the lower house of parliament, the Shah's new Premier, Jaafar Sharif-Emami, conceded that Iran was "paying a price" for the manner in which its economic programs had been conducted. The Premier promised that the government's liberalization program, under which no fewer than 40 political parties have formed, would result in new "political freedoms and social justice." The government promised to allow the parties time to organize and campaign before next June's promised elections...
...Premier also easily won a vote of confidence on the Shah's program of modernization and reforms, but not before the tiny, vocal parliamentary opposition turned the session into a freewheeling discussion of grievances. In an impassioned speech, Ali Asghar Mazhari an independent deputy, evoked cheers and tears with a stinging-and what short time ago would have been unthinkable-rebuke to the Shah. "While the majority of the people may have been silent this did not mean they were stupid and did not know what was going on," said Mazhari. "They knew. And they will continue to protest...
...mood of humility, the Shah launched a campaign of reconciliation with his religious opponents. He brought home his ambassador to the U.S., Ardeshir Zahedi, to open a dialogue with dissident mullahs. Sharif-Emami was expected to call this week on Ayatullah Sharietmadari, 76, the religious teacher who is regarded as the most powerful spokesman for the Shi'ite opposition. In addition, Ayatullah Khomeini, 80, a popular mullah exiled in Iraq since 1963, might be permitted to return home if he disavows the overthrow of the Shah...
Faced with the failure of his technocrats, the Shah sought the advice of some of the country's leading intellectuals, scholars and sociologists. They reminded him that for an Islamic nation like Iran, people must feel that justice has been served. The Shah also feels that martial law, though technically imposed for six months, should end as soon as possible. If not, warned an intellectual, many dissidents might be driven underground and try to "keep things blowing sky high...
...Iranian students abroad, there were no such restrictions. Demonstrators in Rome and London fasted to protest the Shah's policies, while masked protesters in Paris, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and in front of the White House in Washington took to the streets to bring what they called "the true nature of the Iranian people's uprising" to the world's attention. It will be some time before Iran's springtime is reality...