The American Iranian Council (AIC) is pleased that the US and Iran have met bilaterally and with a set agenda in the highest level talks in nearly 30 years. The meeting occurred on May 28 between the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan C. Crocker, and the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qumi. Mr. Crocker described the talks as "business-like" and said that they "preceded positively." Mr. Qumi, speaking to Iraqiya said, "Some problems have been raised and studied, and I think this was a positive step."

This meeting will be followed by a second one in a month. Although the narrowly constrained subject of these talks is security in Iraq, it is clear that both sides have much to discuss and that an improvement in the relationship would be of benefit to both sides. The AIC is proud to have helped Mr. Crocker meet with Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Mr. Javad Zarif, on May 3rd, 2003 (see Chronology).

The stability of Iraq is important to both sides and Iraq has now become a very significant factor in the overall relationship. The AIC urges both sides to remain committed to furthering the dialogue, to being open-minded and flexible, and to giving negotiations every chance to succeed. The AIC would be honored to be of further help in this important relationship.

.American Iranian Council Home Page

U.S. and Iranian Officials Meet in Baghdad, but Talks Yield No Breakthroughs

US, Iran Open Dialogue on Iraq

In Rare Talks, US and Iran Discuss Iraq

Comments in the Iranian Press on May 28th Talks

Since the Iranian revolution of 1979, Iranian society has existed in an abnormal state. Consequently, the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural structures, and its international relations, have been significantly harmed. To embark on progress, Iran needs to adopt a policy of “normalization” which focuses on its national life and the country’s international relations. Such a program can guide Iran toward national reconciliation and international symbiosis. The most important aspects of this normalization are relations between state-religion and state-society (including the political opposition), capital and labour, the U.S. and Iran, gender and generations, modernity and tradition, state and ethnic groups, and state and expatriates. Fortunately, the majority of Iranians have become aware of the need for such normalization, and aim to achieve national reconciliation and international détente. This majority believes that only a normal situation can make it possible for Iranians to reach freedom, justice, welfare, security, and national sovereignty. The currently popular slogan of the state propaganda machine, “national unity and Islamic solidarity,” which appears regularly these days on Iranian television, can only become a reality when Iranians attain multifaceted normalization in their society.

From the Discourse of Democracy to the Discourse of Normalization, by Hooshang Amirahmadi

By Nicholas D. Kristof
In Sunday’s column (April 29) I lay out the attempts to reach a “grand bargain” between the U.S. and Iran, before Bush administration hard-liners killed the effort in 2003. Here I’m providing more background and the full documents.

The American Iranian Council protests, in strongest terms, the arrest of several Iranian-Americans by the Iranian Government, demands their immediate release, and asks that they be justly treated while in the Iranian Government’s custody. The arrestees include Dr. Haleh Esfandiary, Dr. Kian Tajbahksh, and Mr. Ali Shakeri, all individuals with unquestionable backgrounds. Whether these arrests are specifically designed to mirror US moves in Iraq against the Iranian diplomats, is a new right-wing approach to silencing the voices of democratic activists and facilitators, or founded upon perceived or misunderstood activities by the arrestees, their negative and corrosive effects upon the US-Iranian relationship and on the Iranian-American community should not be ignored. The US-Iranian "spiral conflict" is fed by moves such as this and the Council believes that both sides must work hard not only to avoid such moves but to act in ways which are positive and productive.

The AIC urges the Iranian Government to recognize the rights of these and other Iranian-Americans (including Ms. Farnaz Azima, who is being prevented from leaving Iran) and uphold the principles of due process. If the Iranian Government will not free these Iranian-Americans, then the Government should accept its responsibility to make all evidences for and against them public. The Iranian Government should further allow the accused to be represented by attorneys in a manner consistent with the principles of an open and impartial judicial system. The Iranian Government is further requested to consider more carefully their dual citizenship. They are both Iranians and Americans and should not be treated, one moment, as if they are Americans, and on another moment, as if they are Iranians. For nearly 3 decades, Iranian-Americans have sought to maintain their public and private relations with Iran. Such arrests place an undue strain on an already difficult relationship.

The Council also urges greater reflection upon the role of the Open Society Institute (OSI) in this episode. The OSI is a private organization dedicated to enhancing the democratic principles of political openness and economic liberalism throughout the world. There is simply no evidence that the OSI is an agency that engages in overthrowing regimes by legal or illegal means. While the OSI remains a firm advocate for these principles, it can and does remain a friend of the Iranian people and impartial toward Iran’s domestic politics. The same is the case with the Wilson Center for International Scholars. The organization is by no means set up to promote revolutions, velvet or other types. It also promotes the principles of good society and good government, and its positions vis-à-vis the Iranian Government has been balanced and fair. At a time when relations between the two countries are deeply troubled by fact and fiction, it is important that efforts at promoting people-to-people exchanges continue unabated. The Council certainly hopes that this will be the case.

Iran Spy Chief Warns Academics

Three Iranian-Americans Charged with Spying

- Peace-Activist Ali Shakeri Arrested in Iran

- Iran Accuses Haleh Esfandiari of Spying

- The Detention of Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh

Other Citizens Who Are Missing or Having Difficulties

Parnaz Azima Unable to Leave Iran

DEA/FBI Agent Robert Levinson Missing in Iran

Although the U.S. and Iran continue to test one another on various fronts, both countries are also moving toward increased dialogue. The two key points upon which the U.S. continues to put pressure upon Iran involve Iran's quest for nuclear enrichment and the Iraq war. On May 28, the U.S. and Iran have met recently in increasingly higher level meetings. The next meeting is now scheduled to occur within the next month.

Iran's Nuclear Enrichment Activities

Bush Wants Tougher Sanctions on Iran

Iran Enrichment: A Chinese Puzzle

New Sanctions if no Progress on Iran: Bush

Inspectors Cite Big Gain by Iran on Nuclear Fuel

The War in Iraq

War of Words

U.S. and Iran to hold talks on Iraq

Amid Friction, Plans for U.S.-Iran Talks on Iraq

War-torn Iraq 'facing collapse'

Both the US and Iran are locked in a "spiral conflict" that has been harmful to both sides. This conflict is characterized by misperceptions, mistakes, and missed opportunities. In order to convert this conflict into one of "spiral cooperation," much work will need to be done.

Bush Authorizes New Covert Action Against Iran

Does Bush Overstate Iran's Role in Iraq?

Agendas, Truth and Iran's Nuclear Enrichment

Tensions Send Crude Prices Upward

Brent Price Peaks Amid Iran Tensions

Tehran's Interest-Rate Cuts 'Economic Suicide'

US Sanctions Hurting Iran's Economy

Iran Woos Mideast Business Elite

Iranian Petrol Rationing Hits Snag

While several significant items continue from previous weeks, several new items are worth considering. The crackdown on women with respect to their dress continues to raise conerns. Although the police seem not to be as vigorous as they might be in enforcing this code, their actions are nevertheless raising fears as well as issues of freedom. It is not yet clear whether this code will receive increased enforcement or not. One new item of special imporance invovles Iran's willingness to share its nuclear energy technology with other states in the region. It is a meaningful question: What are Iran's rights and obligations with respect to its new found technological knowledge in nuclear energy production?

Iran to Help Gulf States with Atom Technology

Iran Crackdown on Afghan Migrants

Iranian Dress Code: Iranian Views

Abdul-Aziz al-hakim Will Undergo Chemotherapy in Iran

Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Dr. M. Javad Zarif

Key Republicans on Iran and Middle East: With the US presidential election season beginning to heat up, with state primaries approximately 6 months away, candidates are now making numerous domestic and foreign policy speeches. Both the Democratic and Republican fields are very competitive and there are aleady a few early signs as to what these candidates are thinking with regard to Iran and the region.

Mitt Romney

John McCain and Mitt Romney's War of Words

Rudolph Giuliani

Chuck Hagel on the Middle East

Hooshang Amirahmadi

Although much is known about the politics and economics of Iran, less is known, in general, about its art, culture and society. Each Update includes a few select links that are designed to broaden knowledge and understanding. This last week, for example, the film Persepolis won the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Yet, this is only one of many excellent films from a large and talented pool of Iranian film makers and directors.

Marjane Satrapi, once on stage, said: "I'll speak for both directors. We want to express our thanks Gilles Jacob and Thierry Frémaux for having selected our film. We thank the Jury for having awarded the Prize to us. We thank the whole crew of ninety people who worked with us for two years. Personally, although this film is universal, I wish to dedicate the prize to all Iranians."

The Film 'Persepolis' at Cannes

Review: 'Persepolis'

Contemporary Iranian Art Mixes Persian Symbols, Modern Aproach

Shattering Myths the Iranian Way