A Message from H.I.M. Farah Pahlavi
Regarding the recent elections in Iran  

Following the termination of the first round of voting in Iran, which was extended beyond its set hours in order to induce more people to vote, I find it necessary to bring to the attention of the international community the anxiety of many of my compatriots who boycotted the election.

Iranians who refrained from casting their ballot are concerned that the Islamic regime should not be allowed to misrepresent their boycott of an undemocratic election process by suggesting that large numbers of Iranians actually participated in that process.

It is well to note that the boycott campaign had received the approval of many Iranians representing a broad spectrum of political and social persuasions. Moreover, it had also attracted the support of major student movements, ethnic groups and many leading politicians, intellectuals, writers and poets inside the country.

I urge public opinion in the free world to carefully examine "the numbers" that are eventually released by the authorities. The regime should not be allowed to mislead the outside world into thinking that their bankrupt and hated political system has any credibility or legitimacy with the overwhelming majority of Iranians.

Farah Pahlavi

June 20, 2005

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