Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in IranSMCCDI (Public Statement)Dec 27, 2003Honourable and Freedom loving People of Iran, The severe earthquake in the early morning hours of 5th of Dey (December 26th), has demolished most of Kerman province and the historic cities of Bam and Jiroft in addition to the outskirts, leaving thousands of our compatriots buried under the rubble or in grave danger due to lack of sufficient medical care. The official estimates from the Islamic Republic Regime at the time of this writing claim 20,000 dead, 30,000 injured and over 70% of the area and the historic sites destroyed. There are numerous, and to be expected, reports of the failure of the regime in responding to the victims and survivors, and their total lack of coordination and organization in responding to this tragedy and helping all of those who are starving and wandering in the freezing cold through the devastated area or even in the city of Kerman without any shelter or protection from the elements. There are also confirmed reports of arrests and even brutal assault and battery of compatriots who have been protesting the lack of government response in aiding the injured, rescuing their loved ones or the general apathy of the regime's personnel for criticism of the regime. It is obvious to every clear-minded person, except those who promote false superstition and the naive and gullible who believe them, that an earthquake is a natural phenomenon that can result in great destruction along susceptible fault lines. Therefore it is the responsibility of a government to fight these superstitions and to anticipate and develop plans and strategies for responding to these catastrophes in an organized and effective manner. This is the most basic responsibility of a government towards the safety of its citizens and the rescue of the highest number of victims in the event of such calamities, while guarding and protecting national landmarks.Regretfully, since the Islamic Revolution, the fascist and theocratic Islamic Republic's primary goal has been the propagation of its corrupt and archaic world vision, and now while spreading superstition amongst some of its own people, the regime is transferring even greater national resources to pay off and bribe other countries and international groups affiliated to it for its own protection and survival. Today more than ever before there is a need to expose these anti-nationalistic and anti-people policies which have resulted in Iran having no proper facilities, preparation, or resources for the protection of its citizens and as a result every time there is a tragic catastrophe many perish needlessly like the Roodbar earthquake or the Golestan flood, directly or indirectly as a result of the government and its affiliations. It is necessary to note the full extent of the corruption and cronyism of the regime and its affiliates not just through the regime's direct investments in rebuilding places such as Southern Lebanon, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Kenya and Uganda or the indirect investments of the oligarchy's affiliates in the Arab Emirates, Canada and Europe through the Aghazadehah (sons of the Mullahs), but also through confirmed news of the destruction of 2 brand new poorly constructed hospitals in Bam during yesterday's earthquake, and prior to that the sale of international aid supplies in the black market after the Roodbar earthquake tragedy which resulted in many more unnecessary deaths as a result. Therefore it is necessary now more than ever to question and investigate the regime in its entirety, while the people use every opportunity to show their total alienation towards the government. The Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran while sending sincere condolences to the honorable and respectable nation of Iran and mainly the families of the victims of the disastrous earthquake of Kerman province, wishes to extend its understanding and sympathy to the injured and the survivors of this heartbreaking catastrophe. This Committee wishes to thank all the kind-hearted students inside and outside of the country, and other Iranians who knowing full well the real nature of the Islamic Republic and its incompetent and fraudulent officials have organized assistance groups or taken action on their own to assist their helpless compatriots who have fallen victim to this disaster. The Committee also wishes to thank every foreign country and international organization who understanding the full extent of this catastrophe are showing their sympathy and are reaching out to help the Iranian nation. While this organization appreciates the proposal of assistance from Israeli institutions and the correct point of view of Mr. Bush, the honorable President of the U.S., in "directly addressing" the Iranian people concerning this catastrophe, it wishes to remind officials of other countries that the foremost assistance to the people of Iran is the support of their aspirations in replacing the current illegitimate regime with a secular, democratic and responsible one which can save more lives of its citizens in case of any natural disasters with better and more effective plans and preparations, while becoming a more active and important member of the world. May the nearing future downfall of the totality of this Fascist-Theocratic Islamic Republic regime pave the way for the establishment of a popular and responsible political structure in Iran! Long live Freedom! Long live Secularity! Established be Democracy! December 27, 2003 (6th Dey 1382) The "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran" (SMCCDI)