Collective statement from Iranians: Negotiation is not surrender
A group of Iranian political and civil activists have called for “unconditional” negotiations between Iran and the United States in a statement. The authors of the statement are concerned about “a diplomatic impasse and the start of a devastating war” that could destroy the country’s economic infrastructure.
The statement was published on Sunday, June 9, and was signed by 225 political and civil activists of various orientations inside and outside Iran.
The statement is addressed to senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, most notably Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has described negotiations with the United States as “poison” and has blocked any diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions between the two countries. Khamenei has the final say on the strategic policy of the Islamic regime in Iran, especially negotiations with the United States.
The authors of the statement say: “Everyone knows that when diplomacy ends, war begins. The people of this region have very bitter memories of war, its destruction and its economic, social and human consequences. In recent months, the Persian Gulf region has become like a powder keg where a small spark can ignite a flame.”
The statement then adds: "We, a group of political and civil activists with different tendencies, are concerned, first and foremost, about the diplomatic impasse and the start of a devastating war that will, above all, cause the deaths of thousands of our compatriots, injure and possibly displace hundreds of thousands of them, and destroy the economic infrastructure of our country."
The statement emphasizes: “‘Negotiation’ is not surrender. Dialogue itself does not have any negative meaning. Unconditional negotiation between the parties to a conflict can have various goals. Including crisis management, preventing unwanted wars, realistic assessment of the goals of the other party without intermediaries and media propaganda and remote boasting, de-escalation, playing with the cards that really exist, etc. and, if possible, resolving those disputes that have less cost for both parties and ultimately resolving the disputes peacefully. In the specific case of Iran, as those who care about the people and the homeland have repeatedly reminded us, these negotiations can be pursued with persistence and solely from the position of preserving national interests (not unfounded ambitions). Meanwhile, the way back is always open. Turning away from negotiations allows other powers to play with the Iranian government’s card to the benefit of their own interests and to the detriment of the interests of the Iranian people.”
Japan's "opportunity" for mediation
The signatories of the statement believe that next week's visit to Tehran by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose main topic is said to be mediation between Iran and the United States, has created a good opportunity to reduce tensions between the two countries that should not be missed.
The authors of the statement, while confirming and condemning the “unjust order and double standards that govern the world,” wrote to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which claims to be fighting this “unjust order,” saying: “It is impossible to claim to be fighting oppression and injustice in the region and the world by practicing injustice, discrimination, and corruption at home, with double standards.”
"On this basis, we believe that the foreign policy pursued by the Iranian government, especially in the region, must be structurally changed. It is this incorrect approach that has paved the way for the excesses of global hegemonic powers to threaten the daily economic life of the Iranian people and the current precarious situation and the risk of military conflict."
The statement by political and civil activists continued: "The best way to say 'no' to war is to say 'yes' to democracy and national solidarity, and to eliminate discrimination at home. We believe that the country's foreign policy should be determined and managed with the consent, vote, and desire of the majority of the Iranian people. A large part of the Iranian people have repeatedly, including in several elections, declared their tendency and opinion to de-escalate tensions with the world and the region. Rulers cannot and should not base their own opinion, which the majority of the Iranian people oppose, on foreign policy. Direct reference to public opinion and opinions can confirm this."
Names such as Mehrangiz Kar, Nayreh Tohidi, Ahmad Karimi Hakak, Hossein Karroubi, Bahareh Hedayat, Hassan Yousefi Eshkouri, Hamidreza Jalaeipour, Sedighe Vasmaghi, Abdolhamid Masoumi Tehrani, Abdolali Bazargan, Abdullah Naseri, Ali Akbar Mousavi (Khoeini), Emadaldin Baghi, Issa Saharkhiz, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, Mohammad Sadeq Javadihisar, Kazem Alamdari, Mandana Zandian, Mehdi Nourbakhsh, Asiyeh Amini, Mansoureh Shojaei, Masoud Bastani, Hayedeh Mughisi, Mahboobeh Abbasgholizadeh, Ali Keshtar, Ali Haji Ghasemi, Farokh Negahdar, Reza Alijani, Azadeh Kian, Behrouz Khaliq, and Mehdi Fatapour are among the signatories of the statement.
Source: DW
