A member of the Constitutionalist Movement of Iran-Front Line in Toronto provided the following information during a 4 July 1995 telephone interview.

Admiral Dr. Ahmad Madani was a navy officer under the Shah who was dismissed because of his anti-government political views. Later, his status was changed to that of a retired officer. Upon termination of his service Admiral Madani left Iran for France to study law, where he stayed until the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Under the Provisional Government of Iran led by Mehdi Bazargan, who formed the first government upon the collapse of the Shah's regime in February 1979, Admiral Madani worked as defence minister, navy commander and governor of Khuzestan Province. Prior to the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war in September 1980, he escaped from Iran to Europe when his relations with the Iranian ruling clergy deteriorated. He currently lives in France.

For awhile after his departure, Admiral Madani maintained "some contact" with the Islamic regime, and sent a few open letters to Iranian authorities about different issues, but he later broke his ties with the regime and established a political group called the "Independent Republicans" based in France. This group opposes both the Iranian government and Iranian monarchists and advocates the establishment of a republic. The group subscribes to the secular/nationalist views of Dr. Mohammad Mosadegh, a deceased Iranian Prime Minister under the Shah and the leader of the National Front, and advocates the separation of religion and state, although the group is not considered anti-religious.

According to the source, the "Independent Republicans" is a small illegal group and is not a coalition of various political groups. However, approximately four years ago it unsuccessfully tried to form an opposition coalition with others of different political orientations. The organization is politically close to another pro-republican group, the "National Republicans" led by Hassan Nazieh; these two groups have occasionally conducted joint activities.

The attached page of Iran: A Country Study refers to Admiral Madani as a candidate in the January 1980 presidential election and "a naval officer who had served as governor of Khuzestan Province and commander of the navy after the Revolution" (1989, 55).

The attached 24 November 1992 Associated Press report and 15 April 1991 New York Times article provide additional information on Admiral Madani.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Constitutionalist Movement of Iran-Front Line, Toronto. 4 June 1995. Telephone interview with member.

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, p. 55.

The Associated Press (AP). 24 November 1992. PM Cycle. Jim Drinkard. "Probe of 1980 GOP Hostage Dealings Reveals Covert CIA Operation." (NEXIS)

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, P. 55.

The New York Times. 15 April 1991. Late Edition - Final. Neil A. Lewis. "New Reports Say 1980 Reagan Campaign Tried to Delay Hostage Release." (NEXIS)