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Between 1970 and 1978 an estimated half a million people, almost all of them with urban middle-class or upper-class backgrounds, were "interviewed" at least once by SAVAK. These "interviews" sometimes came in the form of raids on private homes in the middle of the night. In most cases, however, the "interviewee" would be politely invited to present himself at one of SAVAK's safe houses at a given time. The "interview" could last an hour or several days. In some cases it could degenerate into a longer drama of imprisonment or torture. The Shah never admitted the presence of any political prisoners in Iran. Instead, he preferred to speak of "traitors" and "terrorists". It is entirely possible that he convinced himself that anyone who questioned his judgement on any major issue was motivated by other than legitimate dissent. The Shah regarded politics in the normal sense of the term as a "deadly poison" for Iran. He believed that politicians were motivated by greed, love of power and a craving for popularity. (p. 215) (it) |
