Dear Mr. Dousti
Thank you for contacting me regarding relations between the United States and Iran. I appreciate hearing from you on this very important issue.
Iran poses one of the greatest potential threats to the U.S. and our allies, but improving our relationship with Iran also presents a great opportunity for advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East. As you know, President Barack Obama has stated his intention to engage more directly with Iran. I commend this approach, as I believe that diplomacy is essential in protecting American and global security.
However, I also am deeply concerned by Iran's continued intransigence regarding its nuclear program. Our nation's security would be greatly threatened by Iranian possession of nuclear weapons. While ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear weapons is of the utmost importance, we must not forget that, in addition to its disregard for the international community on the issue of nuclear weapons development, the regime currently in power has an abhorrent civil liberties and human rights record. In the past five years, hundreds of newspapers have been closed, hundreds of pro-reform websites have been blocked, and untold numbers of people have been unjustly imprisoned.
You may be interested to know that earlier this year I was selected as a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. The CSCE is an independent U.S. Government agency established in 1976 to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as security and economic advancement. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine members from the U.S. House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce. International cooperation is essential for building a safer, more prosperous America and a more secure world. The challenges our nation faces-from terrorism to global warming-demand a united response from people everywhere, and the Helsinki framework is ideally suited to build that united response.
It is essential that, as our nation engages with Iran, we continue to push for change, not only on its foreign policies but also on its treatment of its own people. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to work with my colleagues on the Helsinki Commission and in the Senate to advance the goal of a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel free to contact me regarding any federal issue. You may visit my website at www.tomudall.senate.gov for more information.
Iran poses one of the greatest potential threats to the U.S. and our allies, but improving our relationship with Iran also presents a great opportunity for advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East. As you know, President Barack Obama has stated his intention to engage more directly with Iran. I commend this approach, as I believe that diplomacy is essential in protecting American and global security.
However, I also am deeply concerned by Iran's continued intransigence regarding its nuclear program. Our nation's security would be greatly threatened by Iranian possession of nuclear weapons. While ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear weapons is of the utmost importance, we must not forget that, in addition to its disregard for the international community on the issue of nuclear weapons development, the regime currently in power has an abhorrent civil liberties and human rights record. In the past five years, hundreds of newspapers have been closed, hundreds of pro-reform websites have been blocked, and untold numbers of people have been unjustly imprisoned.
You may be interested to know that earlier this year I was selected as a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. The CSCE is an independent U.S. Government agency established in 1976 to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as security and economic advancement. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine members from the U.S. House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce. International cooperation is essential for building a safer, more prosperous America and a more secure world. The challenges our nation faces-from terrorism to global warming-demand a united response from people everywhere, and the Helsinki framework is ideally suited to build that united response.
It is essential that, as our nation engages with Iran, we continue to push for change, not only on its foreign policies but also on its treatment of its own people. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to work with my colleagues on the Helsinki Commission and in the Senate to advance the goal of a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. Please feel free to contact me regarding any federal issue. You may visit my website at www.tomudall.senate.gov for more information.
1 comment:
why did you write to him? I mean what did you tell him in your letter?
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