NIAC: Clinton Should Retire Hostile Iran Rhetoric

[eridani]

Washington, DC - NIAC Action Executive Director Jamal Abdi issued the following statement following the first Democratic Presidential debate in Las Vegas:

“It was disappointing to hear Secretary Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, say that "the Iranians" are among the enemies she is most proud of having. At a time when the U.S. and Iran managed to break through decades of enmity to negotiate a historic nuclear agreement, such rhetoric is an embrace of the dangerous past rather than a more promising future.


"Over thirty-five years of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, fueled in part by hostile rhetoric and domestic political pressure, nearly brought us to the brink of war. It took true leadership for President Obama to extend a hand in negotiations and break that vicious cycle. The process started, in part, with the President putting an end to the hostile rhetoric that only empowers hardliners in both countries. In fact, it was on a Democratic primary debate stage in 2007 that then-Senator Obama, flanked by Clinton, announced his willingness to negotiate directly with Iran and break decisively with the Bush Administration's approach. The success of the Iran negotiations, compared to the catastrophic failure of war with Iraq, demonstrate why diplomacy - not saber rattling and the rush to military action - is the best way to resolve our national security challenges.

"We urge Secretary Clinton and the other candidates to similarly articulate how they will continue the positive momentum of diplomacy and retire the counterproductive rhetoric of hostility. The American people - and Democratic primary voters more than anyone - do not want more war. We applauded Secretary Clinton for publicly supporting the Iran nuclear agreement in July at a critical moment when Congressional hawks and powerful lobbies were working to kill it. Now, she should be running on that successful diplomatic initiative and on how the U.S. can utilize engagement to resolve our biggest challenges and potentially turn old enemies into future friends."

NIAC 1411 K St NW, Ste 250 Washington, DC 20005 USA
Helping to advance peace and the Iranian-American community.

[Fred Sanders]

1. Iran-bashing will not end until the Israel and war friendly American media permits politicians to

do so.

[B2G]

2. I thought it was interesting last night when she stated

that she was proud that she had made an 'enemy' of Iran.

I was like, WTF?

[eridani]

3. If she had said "the ayatollahs" or even "the Iranian government" it would have been OK

But Iranians in general? That really made me want to puke.

[eridani]

4. Petition to all candidates

http://www.niacaction.org/petition-presidential-candidates-should-retire-hostile-iran-rhetoric/

It should have been a wake up call for all of us when Hillary Clinton said “the Iranians” are among the enemies she is most proud of at this week’s Democratic Presidential debate.

Yes, the U.S. and Iran defied decades of hostility to forge a historic nuclear agreement. Yes, there are now incredible possibilities to finally break with the hostility of the old and start a new chapter with Iran in which we resolve our challenges through constructive engagement. But we haven’t turned the page just yet. Many of our politicians are still behind the curve, and we need to change that.

That is why we are sending an open letter to all of the candidates urging them to stop the hostile rhetoric and instead explain how they will build on the momentum for peace. Will you sign the letter to the Presidential candidates urging them to support peace and diplomacy?

Dear 2016 Presidential Candidates,

After decades of hostility that nearly brought us to the brink of war, the U.S. and Iran have managed to break through the vicious cycle of enmity to negotiate a historic nuclear agreement.

As members of the Iranian-American and pro-peace communities, we pride ourselves in having played a role in supporting those negotiations, helping to prevent war and halt the spread of nuclear weapons, and paving the way for a more constructive relationship between the U.S. and Iran.

There will still be serious challenges and disagreements with Iran. But America’s next president has a chance to turn the page on the thirty-five years of enmity with Iran to begin building a more productive relationship in order to actually resolve these issues.

That is why we urge you and everyone running for the White House to retire the hostile rhetoric of the past. This hostile rhetoric often makes no distinction between the Iranian government and the Iranian people. It empowers hardliners, undermines those working to resolve challenges, and promotes conflict.

Instead, we urge you to articulate how you will seize the opportunity created by the diplomatic breakthrough with Iran to build a more peaceful future.

The American people do not want more war and do not seek to create more enemies. The success of the Iran negotiations, compared to the catastrophic failure of war with Iraq, demonstrate why diplomacy – not saber rattling and the rush to military action – is the best foreign policy tool at our President’s disposal.

Our next President will be someone who can build partnerships and utilize diplomacy to resolve our nation’s foreign policy challenges. We hope that you will demonstrate how you are the best candidate to chart a positive, productive path forward that builds on the diplomatic breakthrough with Iran and serves America’s national interests.

[flamingdem]

5. Someone needs to get through to her

that foreign policy will be her weakness if she doesn't show some frickin' sense