Dear Pax Christi Members and Friends,
Salaa-mon Alaykom! Greetings of peace from Iran! As you know, I am currently traveling in Iran as a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation's delegation of peace and friendship with the people of Iran. As tensions mount between out two governments, this delegation seeks to foster a greater understanding between our two peoples. We all know the plans that the Bush Administration is considering regarding another thoughtless, devastating war in this region, including the threatened use of nuclear weapons against targets here in Iran. As peacemakers, we are committed to stopping any aggression against the people of Iran. Our hope, and we do have great hope, is that by encouraging dialogue between our people, we can disarm the escalating situation that our two governments appear committed to pursuing.
We have been here in Iran for three days. And while our visit is very structured, we have had numerous encounters with ordinary Iranian citizens who have repeatedly expressed their sincere thanks for our efforts. We are each wearing a button that says "peace advocate" in Farsi, the language of Iran. And while the people of Iran have embraced our presence and our mission, some extraordinary developments have occurred during the short time that we have been here. I encourage you to follow our regular delegation reports on the various non-governmental organizations, religious leaders and civil society groups that we are meeting with by visiting the Pax Christi USA website www.paxchristiusa.org. But at this moment I wish to address these extraordinary developments that continue to unfold.
On Tuesday, President Ahmadinejad of Iran sent a letter to President Bush, the first such communication between the leaders of our two nations since 1979. While the letter is in a format that is unusual for such diplomatic exchanges, it was in fact an opening for much needed dialogue between our nations. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the content or style of that letter, the mere fact that it was sent is the significant factor. I am disappointed that the U.S. Administration apparently fails to see the need to engage in direct discussions with any nation, let alone a nation that it believes poses a threat to regional and world stability. As US citizens we must demand that dialogue begin immediately between our two nations, and that within the process of that dialogue, issues of concern to both sides be seriously addressed.
As peacemakers and followers of the nonviolent Jesus, we are committed to nonviolent conflict resolution and this always and everywhere begins with dialogue. Demonizing and threatening cannot resolve anything. Only by overcoming our fears, our history and our prejudices can we find the path to peace that I assure you, is as much a fervent desire of the people of Iran as it is for ourselves. Sadly, our Administration has consistently lacked the vision, skill and will to actually lead the international community toward creative problem solving. The tragic experience that continues to take a deadly toll in Iraq (more than 1,000 dead in Baghdad in April) must not be repeated here in Iran. The costs would be inestimable.
Pax Christi USA has always and continues to be, committed to a nuclear-weapons free world. The Nonproliferation Treaty calls for that very vision – a vision which our own current Administration has attempted to thwart at every turn. It is hardly a surprise that an increasing number of nations have learned the great lesson that U.S. policy has taught assiduously for over half a century--that nuclear weapons are the foundation of a great nation's defense and so, any nation that seeks greatness must acquire a nuclear deterrent. It is this lesson that that US has promoted, and sadly, it is this lesson that too many nations have learned.
While the Iranian President's letter did receive attention, I doubt that another perspective, offered by Hassan Rohani, published by Time Magazine May 9th has received proper consideration. Dr. Rowhani is the former Iranian nuclear negotiator and his views underscore both the need for dialogue to defuse this situation and the very real opportunities that such dialogue could open up. I include it below without any particular endorsement, but rather, as an example of some of the thinking here in Iran that could become the basis for serious dialogue and negotiation between the Bush Administration and the Ahmadinejad Administration.
Despite the propaganda from both sides, the path to peace is available for those who are willing to do the hard and humble work of peacemaking through dialogue. Our effort is focused on connecting with ordinary Iranians, developing a deeper understanding of their hopes, fears and dreams, and hopefully dispelling the stereotypes and "enemy building" that have been prevalent in our own culture for many, many years. We have had a very good start toward that end. I believe that over the coming days we will continue to deepen our own understanding of Iranian society and culture, to be challenged in our thinking, to learn to acknowledge the vast complexities of the situation, and to be affirmed in our efforts for peace. Please hold our delegation in prayer, and also hold our two nations in prayer that we might embrace the path to peace that is at the very heart of all our peoples' deepest desires.
In Peace/Salaam,
Dave Robinson
Executive Director
Pax Christi USA
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