Thoughts on Ahmedinejad visit to Columbia

These may be a bit late, but some of my random thoughts have been succinctly summed up aptly in this article authored by my friend Jayati Vora, a Columbia U./SIPA alum.

I know there are divergent views on his speech both at Columbia and at the UN, so i'll save those for my visitors who can voice them in the comments section, but I will say that President Lee Bollinger of Columbia U. was in fact, the real disappointment in this whole affair. He stooped pretty low and displayed a certain arrogance that is uncharacteristic of people of such stature.

Columbia's students must be dumbfounded as to how they should feel after this interesting event on their campus.

In any case, Jayati's article sums up my views quite well.

NY Event - Iran and the U.S.: Preventing Conflict by Promoting Civil Society and Diplomacy - 4/7

Iran and the U.S.:
Preventing Conflict by Promoting
Civil Society and Diplomacy

co-sponsored by the Hunter College Chapter of
Americans for Informed Democracy

Saturday, April 7, 2007 | 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. | Hunter College

How significant of a threat does Iran pose to the U.S. and Israel? How can the international community promote civil society without undermining Iranian national pride? How can we effectively discuss issues that are politically and religiously sensitive?

Ervand Abrahamian (Baruch College) will discuss Iranian foreign policy, the autonomy of the Iranian people, and civil society's role in Iranian politics

Alice Slater (Nuclear Age Peace Foundation) will discuss the effectiveness of grassroots efforts and how to mobilize Americans to promote diplomacy toward Iran

Bob Zuber (Global Action to Prevent War) will discuss substantive entry-level jobs in conflict resolution and social entrepreneurship in the field

A brief panel discussion will be followed by an open dialogue between the experts and attendees. Come share your views on the topic and find out how to have the most impact on conflict resolution. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to clmadden@gmail.com for details.

Event: THE TREATY OF NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION (NPT) THEORY vs. PRACTICE: THE CASE WITH IRAN - 11/13

Center for International Research, Understanding and Security presents

THE TREATY OF NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION (NPT)

THEORY vs. PRACTICE: THE CASE WITH IRAN

Monday, November 13

th, 2006: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Altschul Auditorium, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA),

Columbia University

Since 2003 reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have indicated that there is no indication of undeclared materials or of a nuclear weapons program by Iran. On April 28

th, the IAEA released its report on Iran: “the Agency cannot make a judgment about, or reach a conclusion on, future compliance or intentions.”

The United States, has been accusing Iran of trying to develop Nuclear weapons and Iran has been insisting that its intentions are peaceful and that it is only interested in peaceful use of the nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Iran asserts its inalienable right under the NPT to nuclear technology and is now being threatened with a UN Security

Council resolution under article 7 with economic, political and diplomatic sanctions, including military strikes by the U.S. if it does not abandon uranium enrichment.

With Iraq and Afghanistan in chaos do we need a new confrontation in the Middle East? What is it about Iran that US finds so threatening? What are the real reasons and motives behind US accusations? Are we reliving Iraq all overagain? What is the difference between Iran and other countries such as: Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan, India, France, UK, US, China and Russia? Which one of these countries has abided by the NPT treaty?

Speakers

Dr. Javad Zarif,

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassador Zarif has spent a total of 12 years at Iran’s Mission to the UN. In the past two decades, Ambassador Zarif has played an active role in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Most recently, he was appointed by the UN Secretary-General as a member of the Group of Eminent Persons on Dialogue among Civilizations. He has also served as chairman of numerous international conferences including the Asian Preparatory Meeting of the World Conference on Racism, the UN Disarmament Commission, Political Committee of the12th Non-Aligned Summit in Durban, and the OIC High-Level Committee on Dialogue among Civilizations. Ambassador Zarif serves on the board of editors of a number of scholarly journals and has written extensively on disarmament, human rights, international law, and regional conflicts. Scott Ritter, Former United Nations Special Commission weapons inspector. Before the United Nations Mr. Ritter served as an officer in the U.S. Marines and as a ballistic missile advisor during the first Gulf War. He is the author of many books including, Iraq Confidential and Target Iran.
Moderated by: Massy Homayouni Center for International Research, Understanding and Security
Co-Sponsored by: The Arab &Iranian Students Association, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).