Council for a Democratic Iran

The Council for a Democratic Iran (CDI) is a U.S.-based organization that "seeks to raise global awareness about the absence of democracy and human rights in Iran." Its website states, "We believe there is an alternative between military confrontation with the current regime and accommodation. There is another way which will lead to the development of the free and peaceful Iran sought by millions of Iranians inside and outside of the country, and that is by enabling the Iranian people to decide their own future."

Lobbying and public relations
In the third quarter of 2008, CDI spent $300,000 on the lobbying and PR firm The Livingston Group. Its Livingston Group lobbyists include former Congressman Robert Livingston and Lauri Fitz-Pegado. Fitz-Pegado previously worked at Hill & Knowlton, where she helped promote the first Gulf War for the government of Kuwait, using the front group "Citizens for a Free Kuwait."

According to Lobbyists.info, CDI's other Livingston lobbyists are Steven L. Kreseski, J. Allen Martin and Richard L. Rodgers. Until October 2008, CDI previously retained the firm Cyber Security Research Consultants, whose Geoff Gleason lobbied on behalf of CDI.

Personnel
From CDI's website:
 * Dr. Behrooz Behbudi, Founder
 * Amir Abbas Fakhravar, Director of International Affairs
 * Sean Woo, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Contact information
Council for a Democratic Iran 8300 Boone Boulevard, Suite 525 Vienna, VA 22182

Website: http://futurefreeiran.com Blog: http://councilforademocraticiran.blogspot.com/

Telephone: (703) 848-9278 Fax: (703) 848-9286

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Amir Abbas Fakhravar
 * Behrooz Behbudi
 * Iran
 * The Livingston Group
 * Robert Livingston
 * Lauri Fitz-Pegado