Thursday, November 19, 2009

Constructive Engagement with Iran

Taking exception


POSTED: October 25, 2009

I must take exception to your editorial "Sanctions may not be the answer with Iran." In August of 2005 I met with senior Iranian administration officials in Tehran in connection with my Human Rights and specifically with my Women's Rights work in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. I was challenged by a deputy minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran as to what it would take to have peace with the U.S. I explained that we would never go against out great friend and ally Israel. The Iranians had several important concessions which would help Israel including a solution to Israel's critical need for potable water, oil, and defense. Iran was willing to back the effort to pipe fresh water from Turkey through Syria and Lebanon which would allow Israel to grow and prosper. They were willing to support the reopening of the oil pipeline through Iraq and Jordan to supply Israel's energy needs. They would also create a demilitarized zone around Israel which would remove the Hezbollah threat on Israel's northern border and work to stabilize the situation in the Gaza. In addition Iran would work with us to stop the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In exchange for these considerations Iran sought two items of its own. They required Human Rights for all Jews, Christians and Muslims in Israel and the occupied territories and a normalization of trade with the US.
To prove their bona fides I spoke with Hassan Rouhani the National Security Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader the actual ruler of their country and with his brother the deputy Ambassador to the United Nations. Both men assured me of the sincerity of the offer.
Our efforts with Iran fail because instead of the "carrot and the stick" approach all we offer is the stick. Our success in Iraq is due in great part to the cooperation of Iran but we give nothing in return. It is time to entertain a policy of constructive engagement.
Barry O'Connell
Montoursville
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom