Let Ahmadinejad Go to Ground Zero
The Senator's column posted to the Huffington Post: Let Ahmadinejad Go to Ground Zero
First, a few words about Ahmadinejad: His claims that the Holocaust was a myth are wrong and disgusting. His rhetorical threats to Israel are irresponsible and detestable. I wish he lost his 2005 election campaign against his reformist opponent and I cheered his party's losses in last year's elections.
But Ahmadinejad is Iran's elected head of state and by snubbing him, we snub the Iranian government and its people. Right now, such a snub is not only wrong-headed, it's dangerous.
Sadly, most politicians find it much easier to fall back on tough talk, phony moralism and warmongering rather than try to explain the complex reality of international relations. Bush, Bloomberg, Lieberman, and most of my fellow Democratic presidential candidates want you to think the world is divided between good and evil and they are on 'the side of angels.'
This political tactic was always disingenuous, but regarding Iran, it's now downright dangerous.
Despite what the Bush administration claims, Iran was a great enemy of the perpetrators of 9/11 long before 2001. In the 1990s Iran waged a covert war against the Taliban and Wahabi-Sunni terrorist networks like Al-Qaeda. While Bush gave economic aid to the repressive Taliban in early 2001, Iran was funding the Taliban's bitter enemies, the Northern Alliance. Immediately after 9/11, Iran provided us with key intelligence about Afghanistan and helped us establish ties with the Northern Alliance, which drove the Taliban from Kabul two months later. The Iranians were willing to help us further in the winter of 2001, but Bush and the neocons ignored the advice of the State Dept. and the CIA and spurned further Iranian assistance. Once Bush dropped his infamous 'Axis of Evil' line in January 2002, there was no turning back. We missed a great opportunity to learn from the Iranians and build ties between our intelligence communities that might have helped us find Bin Laden.
Today Iran is Afghanistan's principle trade partner and according to Afghan president Hamid Karzai, Iran "has been a helper and a solution" in his fight against the Taliban. I trust Karzai's assessment of his relationship with Iran much more than I do George Bush's claims that Iran is a destabilizing force in Afghanistan.
Do we have grievances against the Iranian state? Of course, the 1979-80 hostage crisis was a gross violation of international law. Right now anti-American elements in Iran are supporting the Iraqi insurgency that kills our service people. But remember, our record with Iran is far from clean. Our government overthrew Iran's democratically elected, secular government under Mosaddeq in 1953. Over the subsequent decades we supported the oppressive Shah and trained his brutal secret police, the SAVAK. Right now we are once again orchestrating covert operations to undermine the Iranian government. Both our countries have legitimate grievances against each other. But we can either dwell on our past or work to avoid future bloodshed.
I commend Barack Obama for saying he wants to talk to Ahmadinejad. Only through recognizing the legitimacy of Iran's democratically elected president and negotiating with him can we possibly begin stabilizing Iraq and securing a peaceful resolution to our nuclear standoff.
So why not let Ahmadinejad pay his respects at Ground Zero? Why not let him send a message to the Muslim world that 9/11 was an atrocity that everyone, including fundamentalist Muslims, should mourn?
Dr. Trita Parsi, head of the National Iranian American Council, makes a convincing argument in national magazine that our leaders' moralistic belligerence toward Iran and their refusal to support robust diplomacy have put us on the path toward war, regardless of who wins in 2008.
Let's be clear -- a war with Iran will further isolate the United States in the world. It will unify the entire Middle East against U.S. forces that are stationed there. And worst of all, it will precipitate attacks on America that will far surpass the horror of 9/11. It's time to step away from the brink and begin finding common ground. Let Ahmadinejad go to Ground Zero and honor our dead. And together, let's all acknowledge that neither war nor terrorism will solve our problems.
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Comments
Myself
Submitted on May 2nd, 2008 by Olivia32"I commend Barack Obama for saying he wants to talk to Ahmadinejad. Only through recognizing the legitimacy of Iran's democratically elected president and negotiating with him can we possibly begin stabilizing Iraq and securing a peaceful resolution to our nuclear standoff." - here I agree
"Dr. Trita Parsi, head of the National Iranian American Council, makes a convincing argument in national magazine that our leaders' moralistic belligerence toward Iran and their refusal to support robust diplomacy have put us on the path toward war, regardless of who wins in 2008." - but here i don't agree
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Being well aware of the
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by dcrpvBeing well aware of the friction between Iran and US, in my opinion, its better that they can have discussions and try to pave way for peaceful living.9/11 incident is tragic. Very true. But let the bygone be gone and let us at least mend the tarnished relations and remain at peace in future. will both the countries think over this and act?
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Why to continue fights and
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by pvWhy to continue fights and violence? Lets not follow what Ahmadinejad did! Let us come together and start helping each other mutually. 9/11 is a pathetic and regrettable incident. But let the bygone be gone. Let’s not pray for the fall of each other. Let’s be united and work for the better. Lets live in epace and harmony instead of fighting and involving in violence.
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interesting info
Submitted on March 1st, 2008 by wolfIt's vry interesting information. Thanks. I think it's important thing and theme for discussion.
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Hello
Submitted on April 4th, 2008 by Bob LevisTimes have changed. We are going to empower the American people. Let’s work together. I am tough. I’m not afraid. None of this politics as usual. Mike Gravel
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Iran is * not* "helping" the U S !
Submitted on September 25th, 2007 by pacomI advise right here in public that our candidate re-evaluate
his statement that Iran " helped" the U S !
Politics would proceed on a much more peaceful course
if all the leaders acknowledged that each countries' policies
are based on what they perceive as in their interest.
Using words like " helped U S " implies a sense of obligation.
I am opposed to any country having any sense of obligation to another.
The next thing you know , one country is going to expect some other
country to be obliged !
So what then are they going to do if they perceive that they are
*not* obliged properly ? ? NUKE 'EM ?
tannhauser PACOM , tanaiste
The full video and the full text. No Bollinger, just Ahmadinejad
Submitted on September 27th, 2007 by jflThe full video and the full text. No Bollinger, just Ahmadinejad.
The full text of Ahmadinejad's address to the UN General Assembly.
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Times have changed. We are going to empower the American people. Let’s work together. I am tough. I’m not afraid. None of this politics as usual. Mike GravelOlive Branches From "Bad Leaders"
Submitted on September 25th, 2007 by DawnIn the CNN/Youtube debate, Steven Sorta of Diamond Bar, CA asked this video question. "In 1982, Anwar Sadat traveled to Isreal, a trip that resulted in a peace agreement that has lasted ever since. In the spirit of that kind of bold leadership would you be willing to meet seperately without precondition during the first year of your administration in Washington or anywhere else the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries? Senator Gravel commended Obama for his positive answer to this question. Edwards' answer included this gem-- "It's not enough to meet with bad leaders" Calling them "bad Leaders" and refusing olive branches like Ahmadiejad's offer to lay a wreath at Ground Zero is counterproductive to "bridging the gap that divides our countries" of which Sorta spoke. It serves only to foster more hatred. "The spirit of that kind of bold leadership" can be found in this election; but not in any candidate but Gravel. Gravel for Prez
Please identify the source of this endless agitation for war
Submitted on September 24th, 2007 by jflLet's be clear -- a war with Iran will further isolate the United States in the world. It will unify the entire Middle East against U.S. forces that are stationed there. And worst of all, it will precipitate attacks on America that will far surpass the horror of 9/11. It's time to step away from the brink and begin finding common ground. Let Ahmadinejad go to Ground Zero and honor our dead. And together, let's all acknowledge that neither war nor terrorism will solve our problems.
Mike please see my request at this site's Forum : http://www.gravel2008.us/?q=node/2226, "All Americans outside the beltway know that this is the correct course for the United States of America."
The upcoming attack on Iran is the fruit of the incessant lobbying by the Neocon far-right, with the AIPAC chief among them. All of the "top tier" candidates for POTUS are "on board" with the so-called "Israel Lobby" and will deliver the attack when push comes to shove.
Please identify the source of this endless agitation for war, point to the other candidates' identification with it, elaborate on your own immunity from it, and enumerate the steps you will take as president to expose and defang it and to put the interests of the American, Israeli, and the world's people ahead of the interests of the corrupt, far-right wing war profiteers who seek a state of all-war, all-the-time.
With Americans paying the bill in dollars and in blood.
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Times have changed. We are going to empower the American people. Let’s work together. I am tough. I’m not afraid. None of this politics as usual. Mike Gravel