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to friend| Date: 4/1/2000 |
| Published In: The Washington Report |
| Author/Reporter: Delinda C. Hanley |
| Forum Discusses Iranian Elections and Impact on U.S.-Iran Relations The Iranian Trade Association (ITA) and the American Iranian Council (AIC) co-sponsored a breakfast forum on Feb. 4, two weeks before the Iranian elections, at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. After welcoming remarks from Shahriar Afshar of ITA and John Radsan of AIC, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) talked about the changing political forces in Iran. Ambassador Robert Pelletreau, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, gave a well-received keynote address. “In revolutionary Iran elections have been electrifying events,” Pelletreau said. “They are playing a key role in bringing about an evolution of leadership and policy to reflect the changing aspirations of Iranian society.” After discussing why Iran is important to the Middle East and the United States, Pelletreau listed steps to lesson mutual hostility and work toward reconciliation. He suggested exchanging visits by elected representatives and relaxation of existing U.S. sanctions. This would support Iranian government efforts to improve civil aviation safety standards and efforts by Iranian cities to combat environmental pollution. Such Iranian exports as pistachios and carpets should again be allowed to enter the U.S., and food and medical exports in the other direction should be eased. The U.S. should also prepare a fact sheet detailing Iranian money and assets frozen in U.S. banks and the U.S. should welcome Iranian visitors with valid visas without the humiliating practice of fingerprinting. Lowering the rhetoric on both sides and cooperating in fighting terrorism would also be helpful, Pelletreau concluded. “An attitude of respect by the United States for the people, history, religion and civilization of Iran is most likely to stimulate a similar posture by Iran toward the United States and lead to the sort of relationship which will benefit not only the two societies and economies, but the global community as well.” Former Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. Amir Mahalati, who currently is affiliated with Search for Common Ground, discussed sanctions. He said they force Iranians to buy Airbus airplanes when they want Boeing, and prevent works of art or carpets from entering the U.S. “Sanctions put a whole nation behind bars,” he said. He also talked about why the Iranian election is important, not only for the process of reform but because the reform process will be institutionalized. “Who should rule is not as important as how he should rule,” Mahalati said, adding, “The elections are encouraging critical thinking on all levels.” The political liturgy is also changing in the media, he said. “No one is sacred. Everyone is vehemently criticized.” Other speakers included Center for Strategic and International Studies co-director of the Middle East studies program Judith Kipper; National Trade Council president Frank Kittredge; American Refugee Committee president Anthony J. Kozlowski; and Abbas Edalat of the Science and Arts Foundation, U.K. — |
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