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May 11, 2006 This week marked the first official contact between Iran and the United States via a 17 to 18 page letter from Iran's President Ahmadinejad to President Bush. After 20 plus years of no correspondence one would think that this would be seen as the beginning of some serious diplomacy, but the Bush Administration has not even responded to this letter. According to White House spokesperson, Scott McClelland, it is unclear if President Bush has even read the letter himself. Why the attitude? Since the 1980 standoff between the United States and some Iranian students who overtook the US embassy in Iran along with 52 hostages the United States has had no civilized contact with Iran and have thwarted contact between them and many of our other allies. Sanctions abounded and little else. Time for a change? Iran services about 5% of the world supply of oil, but could garner much more if the United States would allow US companies and others to invest there. Sanctions have prohibited that thus far. Iran has stated that they are using approximately 2% of their oil revenues to develop new energy sources. Furthermore, they say that this is necessary for them to meet their growing domestic energy needs while still exporting their available oil resources to those they trade with. Is there perhaps a lesson here for the United States? I say yes. Prior to this letter Iran has stated their willingness to allow the IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, to complete full inspections in accordance to the Comprehensive Safeguards outlined in the Nonproliferation Treaty. (April 27, 2006) The IAEA have not found any undisclosed nuclear materials apart from the smaller particles that have been disclosed by Iran. Why such blatant mistrust? Iran has stated that they may pull out of this treaty if the United States and UN fail to engage them in diplomacy. If they do so this would negate the use of the IAEA inspectors in any and all inspections in and around Iran. So why not communicate? According to those who have read this letter they state that the tone is somewhat condescending and does little to engage the United States in any discussions which may end amicably. Perhaps the Bush Administration with their hostile attitudes has earned this condescending attitude from our international community? I say that and more may be necessary before the Bush Administration can admit the error of their ways and move forward. How can we mend this rift? We need to allow the IAEA inspectors to do their job and present the facts and finding from their inspections to the members of the UN within a timely period first and foremost. Once the facts have been gathered and if their information is consistent with what Iran tells us about their intentions and previous IAEA information, then we need to back off and allow diplomacy to smooth the rough waters between us. Drop the sanctions, embrace the olive branch, and allow all countries of the world to work with Iran to develop alternate energy sources that can begin to slow our dependency on international oil and move us into the 22nd century with pride. Just think that with the record profits our oil refineries have netted this past year if we took even the meager 2% that Iran uses for their research and worked toward new energy sources we could quite possibly change the world as we know it. Brazil did it with cane sugar fuel. Canada is working with a synthetic oil to replace or augment their use of oil based products. Many more countries around the world are seeking alternate sources for this growing dependency. America desperately needs to find solutions for our oil dependency and armed with this new knowledge we could once again be the leaders and superpowers around the globe. We've got nothing to loose and possibly everything to gain-so I say, go for it!!! Sources; www.news.bbc.uk ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theater, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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