More than 100 Iranians pledge lives as suicide bombers
to defend country
By BRIAN MURPHY/Associated Press Writer
Published: Friday, May 26,
2006 3:51 AM CDT
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) 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 at a time 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 Irans nuclear program.
The threats from America have swelled our ranks and given us added
conviction, said 27-year-old Margess, who like the other volunteers
would only give her first name and used a scarf to cover all but her eyes.
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 that is
backed by Irans Islamic regime.
A huge banner used as a backdrop
showed flag-covered coffins. And a message in English promised to
damage the U.S. worldwide in retaliation for any attack on Iran.
Six nations the five permanent U.N. Security Council members plus
Germany are seeking a possible incentive package for Iran to entice it
to give up uranium enrichment. The package could include dropping the
threat of military action but still bring sanctions.
Iran insists
its nuclear program is only for peaceful energy purposes, but Washington
and allies believe Iran also seeks to develop atomic weapons.
Its
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 women volunteers held their children on their
laps.
If asked by Irans leaders, we will fight anywhere, said
Hussein, 56, a volunteer with a wife and four children. The world should
know that Iranians embrace martyrdom.
One of the organizers
from a group calling itself the Headquarters for Commemorating Martyrs of
the Global Islamic Movement shouted out names and handed out silver dog
tags.
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. An almost
simultaneous bombing killed 56 French peacekeepers.
Hezbollah,
Hezbollah, the crowd chanted as a singing group supported by the
Lebanese guerrilla group began songs calling for Islamic resistance. Iran
is one of the key backers of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah.
The
volunteer bombers waved Qurans, the Muslim holy book, and one held up a
placard paraphrasing Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the 1979
Islamic Revolution: Our nation is the first to prove that America cant
do anything.
We are here to prove that Muslims that Iranians have solidarity
and we will willingly shed our blood, said Azadeh, a 20-year-old
volunteer who wore a postcard of Khomeini and his successor, Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, pinned to her white cloak.
On each postcard a message was
stenciled: Those who are ready to die.
I only have one son
and hes volunteered as a martyr, said Marium Nematzadeh, 56. I have
deep belief in my religion and my leaders. I would even become a bomber if
asked.
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