American Iranian Council

AIC Update
April 2005 | Volume # 2 | Number # 15

a catalyst for change through dialogue and understanding

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AIC Insight - Vol. 2 | No. 1 | February 2005 (Picture Right)

A Conversation with Morad Saghafi "Iran's America Problem and America's Iran Problem"

Iran's Ninth Presidential Election

"Iran and the US Options" - Hooshang Amirahmadi, Ph.D.

And More....

IN THIS ISSUE

Nuclear Update - Read More

Iran Presidential Election Update - Read More

AIC Survey: Defining US-Iran Hostility - Read More

Iranian Development: Abortion Laws Ease - Read More

Selling Iran to the 'Great Satan'- Read More

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AIC Insight - Vol. 2 | No. 1

AIC Update is an information resource for US-Iran relations and the efforts of the American Iranian Council to promote dialogue and understanding between the United States and Iran.

American Iranian Council
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The American Iranian Council (AIC) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan tax-exempt [501 (C) 3] educational organization dedicated to improving US-Iran relations through dialogue, understanding, and constructive engagement.

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Nuclear Update:

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon presented President Bush with a top-secret intelligence file that included satellite reconnaissance photos showing that Iran's nuclear-weapons program continues unabated. Despite the apparent information, Administration officials insisted that nothing in the file was either new or surprising. Both Israel and the United States believe that Iran is using its civilian nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons.

Sources reveal that Sharon informed the President Iran was nearing a "point of no return" regarding its acquisition of knowledge and technology regarding nuclear weapons. Although Israeli officials seem to be sending an urgent signal, other experts suggest that Iran's point of no return is anywhere between two months and two years.

http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ISRAEL_IRAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-04-14-04-52-25

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8176519

Did you know?
The US has over 100 nuclear reactors, providing 20% of its electricity. In the mid- 1970s, the US encouraged Iran to expand her non-oil energy base, under the Shah, suggesting that Iran needed not one but many nuclear reactors (as many as 23 are cited). Over 30 years later, Iran has yet to complete the development of a single reactor.

Iran Presidential Election Update:

Iran's Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari sees no evidence indicating that there will be a high voter turnout in Iran's ninth presidential election, slated for June 17. Lari attributed his forecast to the fact that people feel that their freedom of choice is being restricted.

Analysts have long predicted low voter turnout in the upcoming elction for a number of reasons, including a lack of viable candidates and dismay regarding the unsuccessful reform movement of outgoing President Mohammed Khatami.

Conservatives Seek Candidate Consolidation

Parliament Speaker Gholamali Haddad-Adel attempted to break the deadlock in the rightist faction, by suggesting that the candidates' scientific and impartial public opinion poll be held to identify the final candidate. The Coordination Council of Islamic Revolutionary Forces has been ineffective; the rightists can only win by reaching consensus over a single candidate, Adel claimed. The Council has authorized a committee to choose between former head of state TV and radio Ali Larijani, Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, State Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaie and MP Ahmad Tavakkoli as the sole rightist candidate for the July 17 election.

Other conservative candidates, long dismayed with the Council's decisiomaking, have decided to run as independents, including Presidential nominees Ali Akbar Velayati and Mohammad Baqer Qaliban.

AIC has published and disseminated several important books, studies, and newsletters. These publications clearly demonstrate an objective, impartial, balanced and diverse approach. Please click on the image to browse and purchase AIC publications.

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Defining US-Iran Hostility

The American Iranian Council would like your help in defining the issues that plague US-Iran relations. In the preceding weeks, the American Iranian Council has outline possible solutions for resolving the crisis of US-Iran relations, as recommended by a number of policy think tanks. In this initial six question survey, the Council would like you to define the issues that you feel our most important to US-Iran relations.

““Because the Iranian regime’s policies pose direct threats to national security interests and ideals of the United States Government (USG) and those of its allies and friends, Iran is on the front burner of American foreign policy.” (Iran Policy Committee: U.S. Policy Options for Iran)

Please check as many of the following that you believe are threats to the United States:

	Drive to acquire nuclear weapons
	Continuing support for and involvement with terrorist networks
	Publicly-state opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace process
	Disruptive role in Iraq
	Expansionist radical ideology
	Denial of basic human rights to its own population

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

“It is hostile to Iran not because of specific actions or specific policies, but rather is implacably hostile to Iran’s very self identity and national founding doctrine.” (Stanley Foundation – Realistic Solutions for Resolving the Iranian Nuclear Crisis)

Please check any of the following preventing postive relations between the United States and Iran.

	United States does not accept theocratic government in Iran
	Iran feels United States is inhibiting its natural regional dominance
	Mutual mistrust regarding the intentions of each country

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

“Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of Iran presents a fundamental threat to peace.” (A Committee on the Present Danger Policy Paper: Iran – A New Approach)

Please check any of the following that the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the clerical regime is a threat to:

	a threat to the Iranian people
	a threat to regional security
	a threat to Middle East peace
	a threat to United States national security
	not a threat

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

“The Task Force also reaffirms the proposition that one of the most urgent issues confronting the United States is Iran’s nuclear ambitions…the Task Force agreed that Iran is likely to continue its partner of tactical cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency while attempting to conceal the scope of its nuclear program in order to keep its options open as long as possible.” (Council on Foreign Relations – Task Force – Iran: Time for a New Approach)

Please check all that of the following, which you believe must be directly addressed by United States policies.

	Any and all peaceful nuclear power developed by Iran
	Iran’s failure to cooperate adequately with the IAEA
	Iran’s clandestine nuclear activities
	The development of a complete nuclear fuel cycle

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

“U.S. concerns have long focused on Iran’s activities and intentions toward its neighbors.” (Council on Foreign Relations – Task Force – Iran: Time for a New Approach)

Please check the regional conflict whose resolution would most improve US-Iran relations.

	Iraq
	Afghanistan
	Palestinian-Israeli
	Lebanon
	None

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

The American Iranian Council is extremely grateful for you participation in building better US-Iran relations and defining the issues you feel are preventing positive engagement between the United States and Iran. If you have any additional comments please send an email to info@american-iranian.org

Please help us to continue our peacemaking endeavors by contributing to our mission. The American Iranian Council depends on the support of its members and readers in order to improve understanding and dialogue between the nations and peoples of the United States and Iran.

Iranian Development Update:

Majlis loosens abortion laws

Since the revolution of 1979, the Iranian parliament has shied away from debating controversial laws on abortion. However, on Tuesday April 12, 2005, the conservative dominated parliament passed legislation authorizing abortion in cases where the life of mother is at risk or the infant is at risk of developing abnormalities.

Although the legislation was adopted by 127 of the 217 MPs present, it still requires approval by the Guardian Council, a hardline body that vets all legislation to ensure it is in line with Islamic law and the constitution. The legislation has also sparked considerable debate between right-to-life and pro-life MPs, as well as ordinary Iranians, reminiscent of the debate in the United States.

The new bill stipulates that both parents must consent to the abortion and three doctors as well as the coroner's office must confirm the diagnosis. Noureddin Pirmoazen, a surgeon who serves on the Parliamentary Health Commission, the body charged with developing a legislative action plan, quoted fatwas and religious edicts in favor of the change. "Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi puts the development of the soul at four months and 10 days when the fetus starts moving in the womb or the 20 weeks of pregnancy agreed among doctors," Pirmoazen said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1343898.htm

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-04-12T161147Z_01_DEN258147_RTRUKOC_0_HEALTH-IRAN-ABORTION.xml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4436445.stm

Did you know?
Iran's unicameral parliament (Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami) consists of 290 members elected to 4 year terms. The members are elected by direct and secret ballot.

Selling Iran to the 'Great Satan'

Iran's Vice President for Tourism, Hossein Marachi, announced on Monday, April 11, 2005 that Iran intends to promote its tourism industry on America's CNN and Britain's BBC television stations. Although no contracts have been formalized, both BBC and CNN public relations campaigns are expected to start within the next two months.

Marachi said Iran would provide footage for the 30 to 60 second advertisement spots and "They will show Iranian tourist sites, adding that "You'll not see Friday prayers." Iran's seriously underserved tourism market includes cultural and historical sites, ranging from the ancient city of Persepolis to its ski resorts. Marachi outlined a plan that would increase Iran's tourism revenue to 25 billion a year in 20 years.

Although the ads are still in the beginning stages, they are aimed at the worldwide audiences of each network. Considering the current tension between Tehran and Washington, American audiences are not the immediate target. Nevertheless, Iranian officials are taking steps to simplify the stringent visa process and make one-week travel visas more readily available to foreign tourists.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050411/lf_afp/iranustourism_050411152510

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12831694-13762,00.html

Vision
The vision of the American Iranian Council is that the United States and Iran will work together, since their common interests far outweigh their differences. AIC also envisions the Iranian-American community playing an increasingly significant role in American society, and Iran becoming a democratically developed member of the global community with full respect for human rights.

Mission
The mission of AIC is to be a constructive force, in cooperation and partnership with other organizations, in bringing the United States and Iran together, involving the Iranian-American community in the dialogue, and bringing attention to social and political conditions in Iran.

Goals
The three interrelated goals of the American Iranian Council are:

1. To serve as a platform for sustained dialogue on U.S.-Iran relations.
2. To serve as a catalyst to educate all Americans, including Iranian-Americans, regarding this dialogue.
3. To serve as a forum for discussion of issues of importance in Iranian society.