Date: 04 Mar 2000
Time: 22:06:28
Remote Name: 24.30.137.96
Petition of the Iranian Americans and Other Concerned Citizens to the United States Congressmen and Congresswomen and the US President regarding Removal of Unilateral Sanctions of the US Government against Iran
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William J. Clinton President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 E-mail: President@whitehouse.gov The Congress of the United States of America Congressmen and Congresswomen 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20220 E-mail: HIRC@mail.house.gov
Petition
March 1, 2000
Mr. William Jefferson Clinton Honorable President of the United States of America The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 E-mail: President@whitehouse.gov
The Members of the Congress of the United States of America U.S. Congress 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20220
Dear President Clinton,
Dear Members of Congress,
We are writing on behalf of many Americans of Iranian descent and many other American citizens who are dedicated to fostering relationships between the two former allies the United States and Iran. We live in quest of a day when there will be not only true mutual respect and even compassion between these great nations, but also a relationship that transcends the interests of governments and touches the two peoples.
Iranian Americans and their relatives who have suffered tremendous hardship for over two decades kindly urge you to fully remove the US sanctions imposed against Iran since March 1995 and ease the travel restrictions on people of Iranian heritage.
The recent phenomenal result of parliamentary elections in Iran with a historical victory by pro-democracy reformers calls for an end to two decades of hostile relations between the two previous allies. Over the last twenty-one years, Iranian families have suffered the loss of their young men and women in both the revolution and its aftermath, as well as brutal, unprovoked war with Iraq.
Iranians have experienced massive migrations. Families have been fragmented across the recesses of the whole globe, living in separation for many years. That they have endured a depressed economy is an understatement. Yet, they have somehow managed to show the world their keenest desire for democracy. Their commendable devotion to reform came gracefully and gradually. Iranians are committed to achieving their goals peacefully. After thousands of years, the reform movement in Iran has brought respect for the rule of law. It has provided freedom of the press, tolerance for a variety of political views, formation of party platforms and protection of basic civil rights in its own fragile ways. It has also drawn attention to the problems of Iranian youth and women. These are the basics of Iran's democratic institution. As you know, reformers have and continue to walk a right rope: every inch of progress has come with miles of effort.
President Khatami has stated his commitment to peaceful relations with the world and an early reshaping of Iran's foreign policy. He has called for dialogue between civilizations. Several elected members of the new Parliament have announced their openness towards Washington's taking the first concrete step to normalization of relations. The records of the past three years give solid ground for optimism.
Mr. President, you have shown the world that you, your cabinet, and supportive members of Congress are devoted to disseminating peace in all countries. You have shown courage by denouncing violence and inspiring peace through democracy in many places.
Mr. President, today is the day to end two decades of misunderstanding and pain. You have the unique opportunity to put an end to stereotypes and bitterness in the region of The Middle East and to create real peace, balance and stability instead. In your own words "It is time to support what works and stop supporting what doesn't."
We respectfully urge you to kindly remove the sanctions on Iran in order to allow reciprocal trade opportunities for both American and Iranian international corporations. The new democracy in Iran must be given the chance to nurture and grow. With jobs for young people comes hope and strength. With access to the Internet and new information technologies come new ideas, preservation of free dialogue and self-expression, and understanding between peoples of the two cultures.
We urge you to kindly remove the fingerprinting and photography of Iranian nationals, relatives of Iranian Americans who are treated as common criminals upon entry into the United States. We do not believe the fingerprinting deters terrorists, for it has been publicly reported such individuals have entered the U.S. borders relatively easily with forged documents (altered birth certificates and forged passports), avoiding the background checks and fingerprinting procedures. Treating the entirety of citizens of a whole nation as potential terrorists deters mutual respect, dialogue, and understanding.
We urge you to kindly remove or ease the current thirty-day background check of Iranian nationals. Currently, a long background check of Iranian nationals forces our relatives, Scholars and athletes to stay in interim countries, for weeks. Based on State Department statistics, by designating merely four full time employees to background check posts, some one million Iranian Americans can be given peace of mind. Our parents/relatives are often forced into extended stays in dangerous locations, because not even a single full time employee is currently designated for this job. The sizable number of Iranian Americans living in the States are proud tax payers with one of highest standards of living and education, and would be indebted to you if you can resolve the background check problem.
Epitomizing, Mr. President, we believe that today United States has a golden opportunity to overcome this turbulent relationship and once again put the government and the people of these two civilizations on the path of cooperation and friendship.
Trusting and most appreciating your favorable consideration, we remain
Respectfully Yours,
E-mails cc's:
1- Honorable Vice President Mr. Al Gore: Vice.president@whitehouse.gov
2- Honorable First Lady Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton: First.lady@whitehouse.gov
3- Honorable Ms. Tipper Gore: Mrs.gore@Whitehouse.gov
cc: Ms. Attorney General Janet Reno 950 Pennsylvania Ave.N.W. Washington, D.C. 90530
cc: Ms. Secretary of State Madeline Albright US Department of State 2201 C. St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520
Prepared and submitted by:
Mozhgan Mojab, RPT President World Political Action Committee (WPAC) 5818 Hubbard Drive Rockville, MD 20852 E-mail: MozhganM@aol.com
For more information, please contact: AgainstSanctions@hotmail.com
References:
Demographic data of Iranians in the US; Iranian American Republican Council, http://www.iarcnational.org/demographics.html