In May 2003 the Iranian goverment faxed the United States government a proposal to discuss a comprehensive settlement. Prompt action on this offer could have brought peace between our two countries, and done much to stablize the entire region.
How did our government react?
It snubbed the offer.To learn more about this, and other opportunities for negotiated settlements, we recomend that you buy the current issue of “Esquire” magazine (November 2007, with Charlize Theron on the cover). Read the article “Briefing: Our Impending War with Iran” by John H. Richardson.
DownsizeDC Dispatch, The text of the fax from Tehran
Four years ago, Iran offered to engage in talks with the US in an attempt to end the mounting hostilities. Apparently there is no profit in peace.
Here’s the text of the fax:
Text of Iranian offer for a comprehensive settlement, May 2003:
Iranian Aims: The U.S. accepts a dialogue “in mutual respect” and agrees that Iran puts the following aims on the agenda:
Halt in US hostile behavior and rectification of status of Iran in the US: interference in internal or external relations, “axis of evil,” terrorism list
Abolishment of all sanctions: commercial sanctions, frozen assets, judgments (FSIA), impediments in international trade and financial institutions
Iraq: democratic and fully representative government in Iraq, support of Iranian claims for Iraqi reparations, respect for Iranian national interests in Iraq and religious links to Najaf/Karbal
Full access to peaceful technology, biotechnology, and chemical technology.
Recognition of Iran’s legitimate security interests in the region with according defense capacity.
Terrorism: pursuit of anti-Iranian terrorists, above all MKO (People’s Mujahedin of Iran) and support for repatriation of their members in Iraq, decisive action against anti-Iranian terrorists, above all MKO and affiliated organizations in the US
US Aims: Iran accepts a dialogue “in mutual respect” and agrees that the US puts the following aims on the agenda.
WMD: full transparency for security that there are no Iranian endeavors to develop or possess WMD, full cooperation with IAEA based on Iranian adoption of all relevant instruments (93+2) and all further IAEA protocols
Terrorism: decisive action against any terrorists (above all Al Qaida) on Iranian territory, full cooperation and exchange of all relevant information.
Iraq: coordination of Iranian influence for activity supporting stabilization and the establishment of democratic institutions and a non-religious government.
Middle East: 1) Stop any material support to Palestinian opposition groups (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc.) from Iranian territory, pressure on these organizations to stop violent action against civilians within borders of 1967. 2) Action on Hezbollah to become a mere political organization within Lebanon 3) Acceptance of the Arab League Beirut declaration (Saudi initiative, two-state approach)
-END-
Bear in mind this is an initial offer, the start of negotiations. Negotiations that the Bush administration chose not to pursue. It’s been my opinion (pretty much since 1991, but not confirmed until 2003) that Iraq was simply the beachhead for the eventual pacification of the entire Middle East.
…I really do hate being right.
Another post that is a favorite of bots. Replaced post with more than 1800 hits on it just to see what happens. I may have to alter the link for this one as well.
