The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Barack Obama,
With warm regards, initially I would like to extend my
appreciation for your excellent, historic, and suitable greeting message
to all Persian-speaking people across the globe on the dawn of their new
year. With no doubt, this genuine diplomatic gesture which expresses a
mutual interest among the people and a desire for global peace,
demonstrates the extrodinary prudence and tolerance of you and your
administration.
I only wish that you had not mentioned controversial
words such as “terrorism” and “arms” in your Norouz greeting which
implied an accusatory tone toward Iranians and an excuse for the
hard-liners.
Mr. President,
As you are aware, your country’s preceding
administrations have shown a complete opposite attitude toward our
country in actions such as:
Supporting Saddam during the war with Iran
Shooting down the Iranian plane over its
territory with 300 innocent passengers back in 1989
The 1953 Anglo-American coup against Dr.
Mohammad Mossadeq – the first democratic government in the whole
history of Iran
And others…
Mr. President,
The nation and people of America have always been very
favorable among Iranians until the 1953 coup. These are a few popular
Americans who are respected in all Iranian hearts:
1) Robert Bascrovil
He was martyred in defending the
constitutionalists against the Shah’s dynasty 100 years ago and
still Iranians pay visits and respect to his tomb in Tabriz from
all parts of the country.
2) Dr. Milispo
He played a significant role in founding the
current financial structure and regulations of Iran economy.
3) Dr. Samuel Jordan
The principal of Alborz college in Tehran who
dedicated 50 years of his life in forming the educational
curriculum in Iran with thousands of followers and students all
over the world. His monument and statue still exist and are
respected at his campus. (Four years ago, one of his Iranian
students donated 5 million dollars to UC - Irvine in recognition
of Persian culture honoring Dr. Jordan’s services to Iran)
Hundreds of other Americans like the ones mentioned
above have played a big role in humanitarian services and earned a great
love among the Iranian people. But as I indicated earlier, the direct
interference of CIA in overthrowing the popular leader Dr. Mossadeq, the
unconditional support of the Mohammad Reza Shah dictatorship for over 35
years, sponsoring the Saddam regime during the 8 years of war with Iran,
and the economical sanction, have devastated the admiration and trust
Iranians had toward the US government.
My intention is not to rejuvenate the bitter enmity, but
just to reiterate the historical thread of incidents that initiated this
“change”.
Mr. President,
One of your fellow citizens, Mr. Stephen Kinzer, New
York Times Reporter, and the author of the book “All the Shah’s Men”
writes:
Mr. President,
For centuries Iran had never aggressed another country
or started a conflict. Iranians are very hospitable, friendly and
peace-loving - as you quoted from the poet Sadi - by nature and beside
old slogans no serious threats have ever been made toward US from Iran’s
regime. Since the origin and source of these conflicts between the two
nations have come from United States, it is expected for the US to
initiate the first step in reconciling the good relationship and showing
its good faith in action by eliminating restrictions and helping the
people of Iran.
Dear President,
Last but not least, you are actually the representative
and symbol of oppressed people of the whole world.
I hope the “change” will change the
Gun to pen
Bomb to bread and
Soldier to teacher.
Dear Mr. Obama, the soul of Tolstoy, Gandhi, and Martin
Luther King, Jr. are asking you to eradicate War and Torture and
establish Peace and Justice.
Sincerely,
Ali Khajadi
Retired Iranian Physician
1430 SW 12th Apt 7
Portland, OR 97201
503-279-6100