The American Iranian Council would like your help in defining the issues that plague US-Iran relations. In the preceding weeks, the American Iranian Council has outlined possible solutions for resolving the crisis of US-Iran relations, as recommended by a number of policy think tanks. In this initial survey, the Council would like you to define the issues that you feel are most important to US-Iran relations.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

In the month's preceding the June 17, 2005 Presidential election in Iran, the American Iranian Council has been highlighting various candidates. Mohammed Qalibaf has emerged as one of the most popular conservative candidates in a race widely considered to be a contest amongst conservative candidates.

Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf

Previous Positions:

National Police Chief, June 2000-April 2005 Former commander, Air Force of Revolutionary Guards Frontline veteran, 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War

Education:· Ph.D. in geopolitics from Instructors' Training University · Considered an expert on economic and financial crime (in the last month corruption has emerged as an issue of great importance among Presidential candidates)

Actions while Police Chief:· Attempted to eliminate the influence of political factions in the police force · Admitted women to police force for the first time.

Actions while Revolutionary Guard commander: One of 24 Revolutionary Guard commanders who in July 1999 sent a letter to President Mohammad Khatami warning that if he did not act to quell student unrest, they would not stand by idly and would take matters into their own hands

Quote: "Since I consider fundamentalism as adherence to values, I believe the rights of the Islamic system must be upheld and the rights of the people must also be protected."

'Rice -Putin'

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Wednesday, April 20 in Moscow, where they discussed common concerns of the two countries, including terrorism, regional conflicts, the spread of nuclear weapons, and energy policies. In her comments on Iran, she suggests that the US administration remains confident it can prevail on both fronts through diplomacy and the threat of deeper isolation.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wire Story? id=687335

http://www.skyhen.or g/Focus/iran/rice_plays _down_iran_nuclear_threat.php

http://www.sk yhen.org/Focus/iran/rice_hews _to_diplomatic_approach_on_iran.php

H.R. 282 - "Iran Freedom Support Act"

To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.

1. The bill is primarily a reworking of the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (Title I and II)

2. The bill introduces a new section "Democracy in Iran" (Title III)

Codification of Sanctions Against Iran:

The bill maintains the substance and principles of the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996. It is nearly impossible to expand the sanctions regime, and American allies abroad have clearly shown disdain for sanctions. Iran consistently improves its business relations with Europe and Asia, and in recent months has developed new business ties with India, Australia, and Brazil.

Amendments to the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996:

The legislation makes no meaningful changes to the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 and the ILSA Extension Act of 2001 (H.R. 1954). However, the Iran Freedom Support Act makes specific reference to the "Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction," but the bill makes specific efforts to address Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Democracy in Iran:

The democratic support proposed in H.R. 282 is not, in substance, different from the position of the United States government over the last 25 years. "Congress declares that it should be the policy of the United States to support independent human rights and pro-democracy forces in Iran." The bill departs from the status quo by authorizing financial assistance to individuals or organizations that consent to a set of principled guidelines regarding the political positions of the Government of Iran (see full text of bill). The bill also suggests establishing diplomatic ties with internal opposition groups (to this point, no experts have identified viable internal opposition).

Analysis:

Unilateral sanctions against Iran have shown no benefit for either the United States or its interests. The sanction regime must be redesigned to complement democratic transition, not prevent it (smarter sanctions have been suggested). With regard to democratic transition, current and previous Administrations have pushed for democratic improvements in Iran. There is no substantive change from the commonly held notion that Iran must become more democratic. Where the bill deviates from the status quo, in substance, is a clear statement of regime change (not to be confused with democratic reform). The legislation implies the possibility of internal regime change and, to that end, the financial support of internal opposition groups. The sponsors of this bill should recognize that the majority of experts have dispelled the notion of an impending collapse of the regime. Just as importantly, one should realize that the government of Iran, through reform, is capable of meeting the democratic criteria outlined, and democratic transition does not require a third-party interlocutor as the bill suggests. The outcome suggested by the bill is simply not an option.