MERIP
Media Resource List, May 10, 2006
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS on
the following topics:
- Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush
- Splitting up Iraq
- Peace agreement for Darfur
FARIDEH FARHI
Farideh
Farhi is an independent researcher and an adjunct professor
of political science at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Her
publications include States and Urban-Based Revolutions
in Iran and Nicaragua (University of Illinois Press,
1990) as well as numerous articles and book chapters on comparative
analysis of revolutions and contemporary Iranian politics
and foreign policy. She commented today: " Although
Iranian President Ahmadinejad's letter addresses the shortcomings
of Bush's policies, the tone of the letter is relatively mild
and intent upon engaging. Ahmadinejad seems to be saying,
'You think our policies are disruptive of world peace, and
we think the same about your policies, so lets talk.' Domestically,
through this letter Ahmadinejad establishes himself as a leader
who is not cautious or bound by the restrictions of his office
(unlike the previous president, Khatami). He also furthers
his reputation in the Arab and Islamic world. He really didn't
have anything to lose by sending this letter. He attempts
to present himself as an equal to George Bush, but one who
is willing to talk."
SINAN
ANTOON
Sinan
Antoon is an Iraqi-born poet, novelist and filmmaker who teaches
at New York University. He is an editor of Middle East
Report and co-directed and co-produced the film "About
Baghdad," documenting the lives of Iraqis after the 2003
invasion. He commented today: " While
masquerading as an alternative, the latest idea for splitting
Iraq into three pieces is not so different from current US
policies in Iraq. Instead of reversing sectarian politics,
which were initially encouraged by the Coalition Provisional
Authority, this proposed division would create more violence
and a disastrous population exchange. What started out as
nation building ends up as nation dissolving -- another Washington
fantasy transformed into a nightmare in which Iraqis are the
primary victims."
KHALID M. MEDANI
Khalid Mustafa Medani is
a visiting professor at Stanford University's Center for International
Security and Cooperation and an editor of Middle East
Report . He commented today: "The recent Darfur
peace agreement signed in Abuja is a hopeful sign that the
process of reconciliation is underway. However, this does
not mean that the crisis is over. No long-term solution is
possible without expanding the peace negotiations to include
other insurgents as well as groups in the eastern and northern
parts of the country, which share similar grievances. Khartoum
must be pressured to abide by previous peace agreements and
to support civil society groups who are struggling for the
return of democratic elections in two years. At the moment,
there are three separate peace processes under way in Sudan.
A comprehensive political solution with democracy as the primary
objective is necessary. So far the international community
has not addressed this issue."
Background
:
+
Farideh Farhi, "Iran's
Nuclear File: The Uncertain Endgame," Middle
East Report Online , October 24, 2005
+
Khalid Mustafa Medani, "Black
Monday: The Political and Economic Dimensions of Sudan's Urban
Riots," Middle East Report Online , August
9, 2005
+ Dan Connell, "Peace
in Sudan: Prospect or Pipe Dream?" Middle East
Report 228 (Fall 2003)
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