From Ed Aguilar

In reply to Rich's posting on the blog about the Inquirer Iran story, it's true it's important that both sides get out. Unlike 2002, when the adminstration had almost a monopoly of the mass media on their side, this time, much of the media, Gordon-Miller notwithstanding, are very skeptical.

Further, public opinion is now heavily anti-war. Nevertheless, it's still important to keep the discussion going, and the facts on both sides out.

E.g, Heidi Lang's Op-Ed in today's Inquirer (Feb 12), shows a much more accurate perspective on what the everyday Iranian public is like-- it's worth reading and passing on.

On the contentious nuke issue, here's a wire service report on the other side, with negotiator Ali Larijani:

Iran ready to resume nuclear talks

"Today we announce to you that the political will of Iran is aimed at the negotiated settlement of the case and we don't want to aggravate the situation in our region," Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said.

"We know that this issue can be settled in a constructive dialogue and we welcome that."

Last year, Moscow proposed that Iran move its enrichment work to Russian territory.

Larijani said Iran did not reject the Kremlin's plan. "We would have to have necessary guarantees in place that the fuel would be supplied," he said.

"We would not be against such proposals."

In a wide-ranging speech, Larijani blamed the U.S. occupation of Iraq for fomenting terrorism in the region, and said Tehran's influence was having a stabilizing effect on the situation in that country.

"Terrorists are justifying their presence in Iraq because of the occupation, but the Americans are forced to increase the size of their forces because of terrorists. How do we break this vicious cycle?"

Larijani said the violence in Iraq was limited mainly to regions where the main U.S. garrisons were based.

"The secure parts of Iraq have two characteristics -- they border Iran and in those provinces U.S. troops are not present," he said.

Those who want to get a full briefing on preventing a new, disastrous war, may attend the March 28 Beyond Nuclear Weapons conference, where how to stop new US weapons, as well as many non-proliferation issues including Iran and North Korea, will be discussed.

Go to www.Nuclearawareness-usa.org, to learn more, or email us below at PNA, to sign up for this free conference.

Thanks,

Ed

Edward A. Aguilar
Executive Director
Project for Nuclear Awareness
Nonukearms@aol.com

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