Among the many Americans who were held hostage from 1979-1981 in Iran, Bruce Laingen, the former charge de affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Iran, has now publicly called for the Bush administration to put aside its incendiary language and seek diplomatic direct discussions with Iran instead.

In a letter to the editor of The New York Times, published on Jan. 13, 2007, Laingen wrote:

"The United States and Iran must talk. Not with the mutually negative public rhetoric that for the 27 years since the 1979 hostage crisis has eroded the trust needed for any diplomatic exchange; not indirectly, as we do now on the nuclear issue through our Security Council and European Union colleagues; but frontally and frankly as responsible powers with shared interests in a critically important part of the world.

"The absence of dialogue has made no sense on any count—strategic, human, historic, political, cultural. It has complicated our relationships with every other country in the region. We alone among the powers have chosen to signal in this way our reservations about Iran's conduct in the world arena.

"Talking won't be easy....But we lose nothing now by joining directly with our allies and friends in direct soundings of Iran's intentions."

In November 29, 2006 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued an open letter to Americans; in order to" bypass the corrupt Bush regime" of which I have excerpted from the full text available @ http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/ahmadinejad_speaks.html

Noble Americans,

…Were the American people not God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking, while the U.S. administration actively conceals the truth and impedes any objective portrayal of current realities;

And if we did not share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity;

Then, there would be little urgency to have a dialogue with you.

While Divine providence has placed Iran and the United States geographically far apart, we should be cognizant that human values and our common human spirit, which proclaim the dignity and exalted worth of all human beings, have brought our two great nations of Iran and the United States closer together.

Both our nations are God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection. Both greatly value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.

We are all inclined toward the good and toward extending a helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need.

We all deplore injustice, the trampling of people's rights and the intimidation and humiliation of human beings. We all detest darkness, deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment, sincerity and honesty.

The pure human essence of the two great nations of Iran and the United States testifies to the veracity of these statements...

…we have common concerns, face similar challenges, and are pained by the sufferings and afflictions in the world.

We, like you, are aggrieved by the ever-worsening pain and misery of the Palestinian people. Persistent aggressions by the Zionists are making life more and more difficult for the rightful owners of the land of Palestine. In broad daylight, in front of cameras and before the eyes of the world, they are bombarding innocent defenseless civilians, bulldozing houses, firing machine guns at students in the streets and alleys, and subjecting their families to endless grief.

No day goes by without a new crime. Palestinian mothers, just like Iranian and American mothers, love their children, and are painfully bereaved by the imprisonment, wounding and murder of their children. What mother wouldn't be?

For 60 years, the Zionist regime has driven millions of the inhabitants of Palestine out of their homes. Many of these refugees have died in the Diaspora and in refugee camps. Their children have spent their youth in these camps and are aging while still in the hope of returning to their homeland…

Governments are there to serve their own people. No people want to side with or support any oppressors. But regrettably, the U.S. administration disregards even its own public opinion and remains in the forefront of supporting the trampling of the rights of the Palestinian people.

…Since the commencement of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, maimed or displaced. Terrorism in Iraq has grown exponentially. With the presence of the U.S. military in Iraq, nothing has been done to rebuild the ruins, to restore the infrastructure or to alleviate poverty…

...The legitimacy, power and influence of a government do not emanate from its arsenals of tanks, fighter aircrafts missiles or nuclear weapons. Legitimacy and influence reside in sound logic, quest for justice and compassion and empathy for all humanity….

…Is it not possible to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression and war?

We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent. But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents?

If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved?

… I recommend that in a demonstration of respect for the American people and for humanity, the right of Palestinians to live in their own homeland should be recognized so that millions of Palestinian refugees can return to their homes and the future of all of Palestine and its form of government can be determined in a referendum. This will benefit everyone.

…To sum up:

...It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly different from one of coercion, force and injustice. It is possible to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty and compassion. It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity without tension, threats, imposition or war.

It is possible to lead the world toward the aspired perfection by adhering to unity, monotheism, morality and spirituality and drawing upon the teachings of the Divine prophets.

Then, the American people, who are God-fearing and followers of Divine religions, will overcome every difficulty. What I stated represents some of my anxieties and concerns. I am confident that you, the American people, will play an instrumental role in the establishment of justice and spirituality throughout the world. The promises of the Almighty and His prophets will certainly be realized, justice and truth will prevail and all nations will live a true life in a climate replete with love, compassion and fraternity.

The U.S. governing establishment, the authorities and the powerful should not choose irreversible paths. As all prophets have taught us, injustice and transgression will eventually bring about decline and demise. Today, the path of return to faith and spirituality is open and unimpeded.

We should all heed the Divine Word of the Holy Qur'an:

"But those who repent, have faith and do good may receive Salvation. Your Lord, alone, creates and chooses as He will, and others have no part in His choice; Glorified is God and Exalted above any partners they ascribe to Him." (28:67-68)

I pray to the Almighty to bless the Iranian and American nations and indeed all nations of the world with dignity and success.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

29 November 2006

This patriotic American and concerned citizen of the world responded with an email that will be forwarded via
iranletter@americanfreepress.net

And I beseech every thoughtful, patriotic American seeking peace and justice to send their own email chat, knowing full well that thanks to the Patriot Act, the USA Government will also read it.

Dear President Ahmadinejad and to all the God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking people of the world,

Divine providence has indeed brought us together via the World Wide Web.

The only borders that exist between us are all man made boundaries that exist on pieces of paper that can easily burn by the heat generated from one solitary match.

I am a member of the New Fourth Estate; civilian journalist/blogger. The New Fourth Estate was born after THAT DAY, we call 9/11, when the mainstream media went limp and the Doctrine of Fear was implemented by the Bush Administration to manipulate public opinion and further its lust for empire building.

I did not for a second believe that anyone hated America because we are 'free' as President Bush said. I instead, desired to understand why anyone could target and murder innocent people. I do not care who wears the uniform, or how noble they believe their cause is, anytime an innocent one is caught in the crossfire of violence; they are terrorized!

Because of a photo that ran in a USA Catholic newspaper of a little Palestinian boy, named George from Beit Jala, I journeyed four times into the occupied Palestinian territories to learn and report the truth on WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org/
and other open minded alternative news outlets on the World Wide Web.

In the year 2000, in the ancient indigenous Christian village of Beit Jala , a five minute drive from the Church of The Nativity in downtown Bethlehem , some hopeless militants had infiltrated to shoot into the illegal colony of Gilo a mile away. The Israeli Defense Force retaliated and the bedroom of George was decimated. The shrapnel that pierced the wall of his sanctuary read "Made in USA" and was delivered from American made Apache helicopters that buzzed over his head. If George had been in his bed, he would be dead.
While some governments consider the trauma to innocents "collateral damage" my heart told me "DO SOMETHING!

President Ahmadinejad, you asked "Is it not possible to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression and war?"

I respond, YES! But it is up to the International Community to rise up and demand that International Law and the UN Declaration of Human Rights be the rule of law for all nations and states to abide by. And only then, will we, "have it in our power to begin the world again."

That quote was written by Tom Paine, the most radical and revolutionary of all America 's founding fathers who also penned:

"Soon after I had published the pamphlet "Common Sense" [on Feb. 14, 1776 ] in America, I saw the exceeding probability that a revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion... The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion."

The problem with America is that common sense has been lost due to fear and politicians misuse religion to get elected. It is not just the Bush Administration, but the likes of the Democrat Demimondaine and Consummate Pandering Politician, Hillary Clinton who has sold her soul and sold out we the people for peace and justice to solicit AIPAC votes:

On February 1, 2007 Senator Hillary Clinton stated at an AIPAC fundraiser, "I've been a strong supporter of Israel's right to build a security barrier to keep terrorists out. I have spoken out against the International Court of Justice for questioning Israel's right to build that fence of security."

Clinton, [like many USA politicians] cares naught for the rule of law, and apparently does not read the august Washington Report on Middle East Affairs , "Financed with U.S. aid at a cost of $1.5 million per mile, the Israeli wall prevents residents from receiving health care and emergency medical services. In other areas, the barrier separates farmers from their olive groves which have been their families' sole livelihood for generations." [Page 43, Jan/Feb. 2007]

Clinton continued to satisfy the ignoble lusts of AIPAC as she continued to deny the truth, " Israel is a beacon of what's right in a neighborhood overshadowed by the wrongs of radicalism, extremism, despotism and terrorism. We need only look to one of Israel's greatest threats: namely, Iran . Make no mistake; Iran poses a threat not only to Israel , but to the entire Middle East and beyond… U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal. We cannot, we should not, we must not, permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons. And in dealing with this threat as I have said for a very long time, no option can be taken off the table."

On Feb. 10, 2007, I attended a SABEEL [Arabic for THE WAY] Conference in Alabama , USA. Among the many truth tellers who spoke was Dr. Phyllis Bennis, a secular Jew, journalist, prolific author, Mid East analyst and Co-founder and Co-Chair of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation who said, " Iran has signed the NPT, which allows them the right to have nuclear power and to enrich uranium. The 185 non-nuclear states have agreed to give up the right to have nuclear weapons and the five nuclear powers that signed the NPT agreed to get rid of their nuclear weapons... Iran is not in violation of the NPT, but America is! The USA has been in violation ever since the day they signed it. The USA is acting like a rogue state. The rhetoric out of Washington, the arresting of Iranian diplomats in Iraq, are deliberate provocations hoping that the Iranians will take the bait and respond."

President Ahmadinejad, you also wrote: "I am confident that you, the American people, will play an instrumental role in the establishment of justice and spirituality throughout the world. The promises of the Almighty and His prophets will certainly be realized, justice and truth will prevail and all nations will live a true life in a climate replete with love, compassion and fraternity."

You quoted the Divine Word of the Holy Qur'an and I now offer you- and all the God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking people of the world- the words of the ancient Hebrew Prophet, Micah and two more modern day 'prophets.'

"What does God require? He has already told you o'man! Be JUST! Be MERCIFUL! And walk humbly with your Lord."-Micah 6:8

"Imagine All the People Sharing All the World."-John Lennon

"If enough Christians followed the gospel, they could bring any state to its knees." Father Philip Francis Berrigan

In Solidarity we have it in our power to begin the world again, and Godspeed on it!

-###-

Eileen Fleming Reporter and Editor WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org PS: Dear America: Please RISE UP/INTIFADA And CHAT with President Ahmadinejad [and most likely Big Brother] via iranletter@americanfreepress.net

© Copyright March 3, 2007. Eileen Fleming. Permission is granted for reprint in print, email, blog, or web media if this credit is attached and the title remains unchanged. WAWA@WeAreWideAwake.org -- In Solidarity "we have it in our power to begin the world again."-Tom Paine Do Something e WAWA: http://www.wearewideawake.org/