Discussion on how to avert a military confrontation between U.S and Iran

A multi-group discussion was held in National Press Club on April 23rd, 2007 hosted

by Mason’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) and moderated by ICAR

professor Richard Rubenstein.

Prof. Richard Rubenstein opened the discussion explaining the beginning point of

tension between Iran and U.S; it all started in 1953, when U.S supported the overthrown prime

minister. Rubenstein said, “instead of war we need to come forward with positive

constructive way to solve the conflict.”

Giving a brief account about Iran, Trita Parsi said, “Iran is a regime for Mullah’s

and Ayatollah. Muslim take religion serious, they have devoted their intellectual skills to

adaptation of Islam to this century. Iranian secular liberals are advocating political

culture in Iran.”

Jake Colvin talking about Multi-lateral sanctions, said, “I don’t think Iranian want

to be isolated, forces in Iran are reacting to it.”

Colvin said that nuclear issue is a difficult issue, the Iranian pursuit of nuclear

weapon, depends on conditions that exist in middle-east and how well can we engage

Iranian. “There is is a Lack of diplomacy, what’s happening is pretty miserable.”

Panel also dicsussed that there can positive exchanges, "we are not trying to interfere

with diplomacy and nuclear issues, there is opening in medical, scientific, agriculture

sections of Iran," said Colvin.

Wayne Gilchrest said that "In last six months I have approached Conda Lisa Rice

thrice to open up a dialouge with Iran, she said, Absolutely Not." Gilchrest said that

we certainly "need a strong military, we need strong intelligence. We are missing

consensus and dialogue."

Joseph Montville, said that officials could do bi-laterally talk to officials in Iran. He

said, "instead of restricting visa bring down more students, donate english books,

form a clergy and bring officials outside Iran and immunize them."

Jim P. Moran, said that "the real battle is going on in the administration, however it

is possible to be successful but this administration is not willing to began to talk."

Parsi said that "there are certainly anti-American influences in Iran, but there is this

illusion, that if government things will be better, democratic government lead to

major radicalization, no uproar because Iranian revolted before and they ended up

with a tyrant, these type of changes don’t bring any better change."

Parsi also said exchanges are extremely critical, connection to general public through

NGO's will be useful.

"Redefine the relations instead of trying to defeat the other side, there needs to be an increase the trust. I think assumption of Iran having nuclear weapon is an erroneous one."