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IRAN Daryush FORUHAR

Leader of Nation of Iran Party

Daryush Foruhar is one of the National Front's younger, more radical figures who in recent years have increasingly criticized the front's more moderate leadership for it's alleged over-cautious attitude. He is a militant nationalist in the Nazi mold and noted for his virulent anti-Communism. Although he originally called for Iran's return to its ancient geographical and political greatness, be has more recently emphasized neutrality and freedom from foreign influence. While not an intellectual, Foruhar is a devoted advocate of his cause and a talented organizer and propagandist. His Nation of Iran Party is the National Front's most militant, well-organized component, It is under close surveillance by the government, and Foruhar, who has spent a large part of his career in jail, is currently serving a three-your term for anti-government activities.

Pro-West, Foruhar, nevertheless, wants Iran to follow an independent policy in the manner of India, He considers CENTO useless, and is critical of military alliances, which he believes tend to shore up corrupt and unpopular governments more than they deter Communism. He admires the US, but criticizes its support of Britain and the current Iranian regime. Although he does not advocate revolution for Iran, which he says would benefit only "alien and imperialistic" elements, he doubts that the present Shah would accept a limited constitutional role.

Foruhar favors bi-lateral agreements with the US, particularly those involving economic aid. He would also accept aid from the USSR provided no strings were attached (a remote possibility in his opinion), An advocate of Planned development, he would accept limited technical assistance and encourage the construction of steel mills. He is pessimistic concerning land reform, and proposes the nationalization of agricultural, land and the formation of farming cooperatives. He would like to revise the old agreements, but through negotiation rather than nationalization. Foruhar would also reorganize the army and recognize Communist China.

Born in 1928, Foruhar received his early education in Iafshan and Tehran, He graduated from the Tehran University Law Faculty in 1951. He was a founding member of the Pan-Iran Party, a right-wing nationalist group formed in 1946. In 1952 the party split three ways over the issue of support for the monarchy. Foruhar and his followers broke away and formed the Nation of Iran Party, which affiliated with then Premier Mohamad Mosadeq's National Front: (NF). (The parent organization, led by Mohsen Pezeshkpour, went into a period of eclipse, and for several years Foruhar's group was referred to as the Pan-Iran Party, With the recent recrudescence of the old Pan-Iran Party, which