(10 January 2007 Washington DC) During a press conference organized by the Center for Arms Control and Non-proliferation, Dr. Shirin Ebadi and Prof. Jody Williams offered their views on what can be done to improve relations between the U.S. and Iran. Taking place two days before President Bush was scheduled to announce his new plan for Iraq; the Laureates urged the Bush administration to develop a peaceful, strategic dialogue with Iran.

Later that evening both Dr. Ebadi and Prof. Williams spoke about their hope for a new course in US-Iran relations at an event hosted by University of California, the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, the National Iranian American Council and the Nobel Women’s Initiative. Titled, Rebuilding US-Iran Relations, Dr. Ebadi and Prof. Williams addressed creative initiatives that could improve relations between the United States and Iran and actions of support in which individuals can take part.

To read an unofficial English translation of Dr. Ebadi’s comments from the evening, please see below.

LEARN MORE

Nobel Peace Prize Winners Urge Talks Between US and Iran – Voice of America, 8 January 2007.

Women Nobel Laureates Call for New U.S.-Iran Engagement – OneWorld.net, 10 January 2007.

***Media Release

(8 January 2007 – Washington DC) Two days before President Bush will deliver a speech announcing a new course in Iraq which will exclude the Iraq Study group’s recommendation to engage Iran, women Nobel Peace Prize winners Dr. Shirin Ebadi and Professor Jody Williams will be in Washington, D.C. to call for constructive US-Iran dialogue and engagement.

During a press conference on Monday, January 8, 2007, Dr. Ebadi and Prof. Williams will offer their views on what can be done to improve relations between the U.S. and Iran. Their ongoing calls for non-violent solutions to the stalemate are particularly relevant given the recent revelations in the media that the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group (ISOG) is intensifying its secretive planning on Iran.

Even in the face of Iranian government discrimination, 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate and Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi underscores the dangers of international punishment or military interference in Iran. According to Dr. Ebadi, It’s the people of Iran that have to gain their own freedom and human rights improvements. Military action or other punishments against Iran will make the situation for political reformists and human rights advocates in Iran a lot more difficult. I don’t think that Iranian human rights advocates need help of that sort from the governments of the West. But I expect people in the West to support freedom-seekers in Iran.

What we are calling for is quite simple: a nonviolent resolution of the standoff between the U.S. and Iran, says Jody Williams. We do not want to see another Iraq and more disruption in the volatile and fragile Middle East. We do not want to see more suffering among women and children in another Middle Eastern country. No more military action. We demand a negotiated resolution of the standoff.

Also on Monday, January 8, the University of California, the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation, the National Iranian American Council and the Nobel Women’s Initiative will host Rebuilding US-Iran Relations, a public event with Ebadi and Williams at the University of California Washington Center. The event will be from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Ebadi and Williams will discuss creative initiatives that could improve relations between the United States and Iran. In addition, Ebadi and Williams will explore what individuals can do to ensure that the current tensions do not escalate into armed conflict. Dr. Ebadi will speak about the political and social landscape in Iran today, including the human rights and women’s rights campaigns, and the Iranian reform movement. Professor Williams will speak about the Nobel Women’s Initiative’s efforts to promote direct engagement between the US and Iran.

Dr. Ebadi’s Unofficial Translation of US-Iran Relations pdf.