Trita Parsi Unable to Defend Legitimacy of Engagement Policy
On December 2, 2009 at 6 pm Trita Parsi came to American University to speak about his stance on engagement with Iran.
Mr. Parsi, head of NIAC, stated that the policy of engagement was meant to further cooperation between the U.S. and Iran and further human rights as well as resolve the nuclear issue. Mr. Parsi specifically addressed the nuclear issue and claimed that there is a bright line between nuclear use of energy for civilian use and the issue of nuclear weapons. In addition, he asserted that the policy of the Obama administration to engage with Iran, even though it has failed for the past 8 weeks, needs more time.
When a student in the class pressured Mr. Parsi to explain this approach, she stated the following: “When it comes to the nuclear issue, there is not a bright line between nuclear weapons and civilian nuclear use. These two issues are parallel as the fissile waste gained from peaceful nuclear sites can be used to make a dirty bomb. Additionally, the steps to enrich uranium from which it is able to be used for civilian use to that which can be used for weapons is very small. So given that the civilian use of nuclear weapons grants a de facto eventual use of military capabilities, we (as in the United States and the International community) don’t have the luxury of time. In addition, Iran has been behaving in a North Korea style of agreeing to certain conditions and then later retreating, threatening to remove themselves from the NPT while buying the time needed to go ahead and eventually create a nuclear weapon anyway. So, the policy of engagement with the regime is a futile one given Iran’s present actions and past dealings. Essentially, the U.S. and the World doesn’t have the luxury of time when dealing with Iran and is risking delegitimizing the freedom movement in Iran by engaging with Ahmadeinjad, whom the people of Iran count as illegitimate. The Green Movement for democracy has spoken out against Ahmadenijad and by the United States engaging with the Iranian regime, it is legitimizing the government in power in complete disregard of the will of the Iranian people while gaining nothing in regards to the nuclear issue. The Iranian people themselves called out to Obama in the November 4thdemonstrations when they said “Obama ya ba mah ya ba una” <Obama either you’re with us or against us>. It is a failing policy that will gain nothing for the U.S. in terms of the nuclear issue and will only end up hurting the Iranian people and Green Movement.”
Mr. Parsi retorted that he didn’t accept these premises and that this sounded like a neo-conservative stance. Mr. Parsi went on to say that the United States is not important when it comes to legitimizing a regime. Mr. Parsi asserted that by recognizing and working with the Iranian regime, the US was not legitimizing them. And, even if the U.S. were doing so, other countries like Brazil met with Ahmadenijad so it was not damaging if the U.S. did.
Mr. Parsi later retorted that he knew the heads of the Green Movement and that they wanted a policy of engagement with the regime.
Then the same student in class asked him exactly which “heads” of the Green Movement he knew and was in contact with, Mr.Parsi claimed that Akbar Ganji was one of the heads of the Green Movement he was in touch with.
The student responded that this was false, as the heads of the Green Movement are those involved with Takhim e Vahdat. These are the same people who were responsible for the massive protests in 1999 and call for freedom and democracy. These activists, like Akbar Atri, spoke to Congress in 2004 and told them that the reformist movement could not succeed in Iran because the structural institution and powers that be would not allow it. It is their word who has been proven true and it is they who are the true leaders of the Green Movement because they have been there since the beginning of the movement 10 years ago.
Mr. Parsi relented and said that yes, Mr. Atri is one of the most important people outside the regime that is integral to the movement but Moussavi is a leader of the movement from within and it is his hope for reform that is the true nature of the Green Movement.
The student pointed out the falsity of Mr.Parsi’s assertion in stating that reform is the hope of the movement. Another colleague of Moussavi, former President of Iran, Khatami, came out and said that the regime was illegitimate and reform was no longer an option. Khatami called for a complete referendum on the legitimacy of the government in power thereby unifying the opposition movements core message of the government of Iran being illegitimate and not reflecting the will of the people.
At this point, the student noted that there will be a panel in which Mr. Akbar Atri himself will be speaking on a panel at Georgetown on Sunday and if Mr.Parsi would like to defend his position, which is in complete opposition to that of those who lead the Green Movement, that Mr. Parsi was more than welcome to come put his position forward. Mr. Parsi said he would be unable to attend and had no further comment on the issue.
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k but how is this nat sec law tho?
To commentor “Nomi”:
How is nuclear proliferation and Iran/US negotiations and relations not National Security Law related?!?
The viewpoints of leaders and possible policy makers are not only national security law “related” but the beginning steps of national security law policy, regulations, and legislation.
The law does not begin and end with the writing of a bill into law; there are steps and events that take place that lead to such things. Among those things are discussions such as these.
It’s great to see how students confront Trita for his ill relation with the Iranian regime. Not only he has no room in our community, but he should be tried in court of law for reporting to Tehran:
http://www.iranian-americans.com/2009/12/1598.html
http://www.iranian-americans.com/2009/12/1604.html
Mr. Parsi whose activities and ‘mission’ has been clear to many of us Iranians for years, has learned his rhetoric and spin form the very same people that this clearly very bright student has pointed out — the regime which is involved in “agreeing to certain conditions and then later retreating, threatening to remove themselves from the NPT while buying the time needed to go ahead and eventually create a nuclear weapon anyway”.
Ultimately Trita Parsi, wants his cake and wants to eat it too; he wants to live in the luxury and freedom of the west and continue promoting those whose sociopathological behavior he does not have to endure. A perhaps strong but feasible answer is for the US deport this fellow back to Iran and have him live and work under that very dictatorship who he has tried covertly to champion.
First, regarding the relationship of this post to National Security Law – it does involve discussion of Trita Parsi and his policy recommendations for how the US deals with a gov’t that may leave the NPT. Accordingly, like my colleague (the 2nd poster), I respectfully disagree with the argument that this post is unrelated to Nat’l Security Law.
Secondly, as someone who is a relative newcomer to the public relations/lobbying aspect of US-Iran relations, I’d like to know more about Trita Parsi. What bit I do know gives me some cause for concern (regarding his relationship with the WH). By saying this I’m not suggesting any kind of conspiracy, but I do think there may be some impropriety here.
It is very refreshing to see that young people are the corner stone of any society to seek the truth with transparency without any affiliation directly or indirectly to government, ngo, any political party and/or idealogy. WELL DONE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY.
“Khatami, came out and said that the regime was illegitimate and reform was no longer an option. Khatami called for a complete referendum on the legitimacy of the government in power thereby unifying the opposition movements core message of the government of Iran being illegitimate and not reflecting the will of the people.”
That is total nonsense. Khatami still believes in his reform movement, even more so now that the green movement has materialised. As for calling for a referendum, he did NOT mean referendum of the entire Islamist system but of the Ahmadinejad government.
The student needs to recheck his facts.
To Sib. Perhaps instead of making ad hominem attacks, you should do your own homework. As for the student in question, SHE, asserted completely CORRECT facts. Here are several articles proving that:
“Iran’s Khatami wants referendum on governments legitimacy”
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/20/worldupdates/2009-07-20T181222Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-411702-2&sec=Worldupdates
“Khatami calls for referendum on Iranian Government”
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/20/khatami-iran-referendum455.html?ref=rss
“Iran’s Khatami wants Referendum on Government’s Legitimacy”
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56J13J20090720
“Khatami urges Refrendum ”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8158692.stm
“Khatami calls for Referendum”
http://arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=124727&d=21&m=7&y=2009
“Khatami calls for Iran Referendum”
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/2009720112418612488.html
Did you not read what I just said Lady99? Khatami mentioned of Referendum for the GOVERNMENT (AKA doalat in persian) and not the entire system.
Sib,
You should read the post above you. It JUST said that it is talking about the legitimacy of the government. None of the articles mention this “islamist system” that you seem to be referring to. Neither did any of the comments at Mr. Parsi’s speech. I think you need to provide more information before making statements that have no backing.
sib,
it is very sad that people like you cannot give credit to young people when they are right. You even try to spin the facts when they have the truth on their side.
I am not surprised this very crystal clear point made by this bright student gets lost in the usual rhetoric.
Let’s remember – “Reform” within the current system was tried and failed miserably. The radicals that took over the government after Khatami are not going to willingly relinquish their grip. It is abundantly evident that the brave people of Iran are now looking for a fundamental change resulting in democracy and separation of religion from their government. They are directly asking President Obama – are you with us (the people) or with them (the regime)? However, it seems like that Mr. Parsi is not listening to this message from the streets of Tehran and not clear who he is really listening to or what motivates his actions. He needs a dose of reality check.
Lady99, very informative links about Mr. Khatami.
I agree with Steve – “well done American University”.
This news report by newyork times is another example of the facts stated in the article within the last 24 hours.
Iran Sets Limit to What It Tells Atomic Agency (newyork times)
Iran said Friday that it would keep plans for 10 new enrichment plants secret until six months before they were ready to concentrate uranium into nuclear fuel, a policy sure to heighten tensions with the West over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
Enriched uranium can fuel reactors or, with a little more concentration, atom bombs. Iran insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/05/world/middleeast/05nuke.html?_r=1&hpw
steve and Neil Patel,
Unlike you people I can actually READ persian and dont have to rely on secondary sources to get my information. No where does Khatami mention that he wants a referendum for the entire Islamic Republic system. He requested Referendum of Ahmadinejad’s legitimacy and his government. In farsi we call that dolat. When they say dolat is wrong or dolat did this they are not talking about the whole regime but the Ahmadinejad government.
Sib,
You have again resorted to making ad hominem attacks. When you have no leg to stand on and are provided with proof that your statements are baseless, you resort to attacking people. Additionally, you have pointed out nothing and are trying to stir up a debate on rhetoric that has already been clarifyed. The article as a whole stands with 100% factual clarity. Obviously, this article has gotten some attention that you don’t like.
I for one, do speak, read, and write Farsi so I not only provided links, (yes in English because this is an AMERICAN UNIVERSITY blog site) but heard the speeches for myself. Now if you have a problem understanding or reading English (because apparently you can not discern what is fact from fiction or that everything that was said in the article posted here is true), that is not an issue that anyone here can help you with. I suggest taking an English as a Second Language class or two.
As for Steve and Neal, I would not presume to comment on their knowledge base of literacy with Farsi, but I can assure you sir, that you are not the only on here who does read, write, and speak Farsi with a far greater accuracy then you have with English. Lotfan, degeh harf nazan enjah ageh faghat ashgal mege. And, for you non-Farsi speakers -here is the translation.(Please do not speak here if all you have to say is garbage.)
“Lotfan, degeh harf nazan enjah ageh faghat ashgal mege”
I would lol because any true farsi speaker would laugh at this half-assed attempt at speaking farsi. Makes me question whether you really are who you say you are.
But never mind that. Lets talk substance, which clearly your reply lacks. Here is s what Khatami said EXACTLY:
?????? ???????? “??? ??? ?????” ?? ?? ??? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ????????: «????????? ???? ????? ?????????? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ? ?????? ?? ???????? ?? ???????? ? ?? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???.»
?? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????????? ???? ??????? ?? ?? ?????? ????. ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?????. ?? ?????? ?????: «?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?????.»
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4500545,00.html
No where does Khatami mention that the referendum is to change the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is speaking about the election results and legitimacy of Ahmadinejad.
Now dont get me wrong, I’m against reformists as much as I’m against Ahmadinejad and I believe Iran needs more than reform but to come here and churn out lies and half truths is what concerns me most about some people. Makes you wonder whether they have a hidden agenda behind their cause.
Sib,
As a true farsi speaker, I was telling you in the most polite way to leave your garbage out of this space. Again, if you have a problem speaking Farsi, that is not another issue I care about. Go take a Farsi class as well as your English as a second language class.
As I, and others who have responded, have already substantively, sufficiently, and clearly answered any sorry attempt of yours to discredit the facts presented, there is nothing left to argue. The fact that you so vehemently debate rhetoric you obviously don’t understand makes me wonder what your hidden agenda is. I don’t care what you purport your agenda to be, you obviously have a vendetta against the truth coming out. The truth is, just what the student said – that Khatami called for a Referendem on the legitimacy of the government. End of Story.
The facts have been presented. The case is closed.
Lady99, I very well knew what you were trying to communicate with the grammatically incorrect statement (lets even forget how the phingilish was totally wrong).
As for you “providing facts” that is again total nonsense. Here is what you wrote:
“Khatami, came out and said that the regime was illegitimate and reform was no longer an option. ”
Which goes against what was ACTUALLY said by Khatami. For proof look at the farsi link I provided, if you can read farsi that is. You are misrepresenting Khatami’s own views by prefixing your own views to what Khatami said in order to make it look like Khatami is going against the Islamic Republic .
The farsi was perfectly fine. Again, if you have problems with English, thats not my issue. You are still absolutely incorrect and your arguments are tedious because you have nothing new, factual, or interesting to say. Please go try and spread your propoganda elsewhere.
Lady99, I think it is you who is spreading propaganda and misleading non-farsi speakers with your half truths.
Sib, the only one twisting the truth here is you. No one is falling for it, so stop trying.
I think Lady 99 is Trita Pasi himself .I’m living in Iran and I hate from Trita Parsi and Dokhi Fsihian and the other members of Trita’s group .Dear Lady you are foolish.Iranian know you and your group very well ( .Please you all go to hell.)
Thanks to Mr Hassan Dai who gave us a lot of informations about Trita’s group.
My dear Sib you are right about lady99 who is very funny
.I’m living in Iran and this is my advantage .I’m here and know all the people hate from Trita and his group . So funny lady you show your personality by naming yourself LADY .I think you have very selfconfidency.But in Iran people laugh at a person who is the same as you. HA HA HA
???? ????? ???? 99
??? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???? .?? ???? ?? ?? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????.
Melika,
Do you not understand that this Lady99 is speaking out AGAINST Trita Parsi? Sib is obviously on the side of trita parsi’s gang…. I think you are very confused…