Editor’s Note: The following article was written by a leader in the Green movement in Iran who wishes to remain anonymous.

TEHRAN — The unfolding drama in the Arab world that has already brought down despots in Tunisia and Egypt has been watched closely here in Iran—and with a degree of amazement and envy on our part. We Green activists, along with the daily growing number of ‘regular’ people disgusted with the religious despotism of Ayatollah Khamenei and with the daily deteriorating economic situation, are asking: ‘How do I differ from these Arabs? Why has our own Green Movement, which back in 2009 shook the authoritarian and corrupt pillars of Khamenei’s Islamic government, failed to achieve the popular goals of democracy and seemingly fizzled out?’

For the many Iranians who tend to have, justifiably or not, a sense of cultural and intellectual superiority in relation to the Arabs, the reality that Arabs have and are achieving these goals through political action from below has hurt national pride and confidence. It is asked, ‘Are they more brave than we are? Better organized? More thirsty for democratization?’ Failing to answer these questions we ask, ‘What is next for our struggle for freedom and therefore our ancient country? Is our Green Movement still viable and willing and able to challenge the clerical despotism of Khamenei and those groups and figures complicit in blocking our initial steps toward democratization and in killing and raping hundreds of their citizens?’

Clearly what is called the Green Movement faces several serious weaknesses which, if left unchecked, will lead to its demise. The demise of this movement will not be the result of lack of a large social base or popular rejection of the goals of democratization, respect for human rights, social justice, and economic growth. Its demise will be the consequence of the failure of those claiming to be Green leaders or leaders in opposition outside the country to address some, if not all, the issues we inside the country have outlined in this manifesto. Increasing numbers of people are disgusted with this Islamic government. Their fury and frustration pushes them to political action, but we Greens have yet to provide them with leadership and the path to this civil action. People want to participate in various forms of protest, but don’t know how. They are searching for guidance and leadership. Many of them have set-up ‘Green cells’ in various parts of the country, but they do not know what to do or how to co-ordinate with other groups.

A main goal which must be actively propagated to mobilize the movement is full democratization of all government positions, starting with the position of the Supreme Leader. This will increase greatly the numbers coming over to the movement and people’s willingness to act. We reject the outdated and failed policy of the former reformist president, Mohammad Khatami, who recently suggested/announced that Greens and reformists and the other side–in other words Khamenei and the supporters of despotism–apologize to each other, that the regime free political prisoners, and from there we can all work together. Not only is Khatami’s suggestion an insult to those who have been killed or raped by the Khamenei regime and who continue to struggle against the regime, it is also the height of political naiveté to believe that this system under Khamenei is reformable.

The massive cheating in the 2009 elections which was part of a long history of electoral fraud in the Islamic Republic, shows that the current elite will not succumb to political reformism. Khatami is offering something that both the elite and most politically literate Iranians do not want given the deteriorating political and economic situations. The one person who has the charisma and ability to lead the Green Movement inside the country is now trying to split the movement and assume its leadership within a reformist framework. At the same time, we reject inclusion on any level of the MKO and the National Council of Resistance of Iran in our genuinely popular and indigenous movement which enjoys a large social base, unlike this group.

We need to forget about trying to carry all of society with us. Clearly the regime, due to a mixture of effective use of patronage and ideology, enjoys some support, especially in village and small towns and within some social groups. But history is rarely made in these areas. Focus for action, such as strikes, demonstrations, and other forms of civil action, must be on several major urban areas without worries and endless talks about these minority groups supporting despotism. In these areas we are strong and have some Green cells.

Having just finished a seventy-day trip around our country I can say with fear and deep worry that separatist tendencies are increasing in Kurdistan, Azerbaijan, and Baluchistan. Many argue that we should not recognize and talk about this issue, and given the danger that our country could split, the Green Movement must not become active and thus threaten chaos. The causes for the rise in separatism are the social, economic, and political policies of this Islamic government. We Greens need to act decisively in order to create the hope for change and then bring the change relatively soon. Once this is accomplished, a new democratic Iran will be able to address the core issues driving separatism and ensure the continued unity of our homeland. However, the continued existence of Khamenei and Islamic despotism with its disastrous policies will ensure that separatist tendencies will grow roots and eventually lead to disaster for our country.

The time has come for the Green Movement outside the country to put aside its endless discussions, personality issues, perhaps egos, and certainly fears and begin to address in a serious manner (and quickly) the issues we Greens inside the country have included in this manifesto. We need their leadership, given the conditions here, in order to prepare the Green Movement for its struggle against despotism. If this fails to materialize, we Greens, inside and outside the country, will hold responsibility for losing the great social capital gained in 2009 and playing a part in the social, political, and economic break-down of our motherland being overseen by Khamenei and this Islamic government.