By Reuel Marc Gerecht
New York Times / Op-Ed section
Comissioned by Brian Rea
Published 24 May, 2007
Article by former CIA officer, notes Bush administration has been criticized for not engaging Iran diplomatically; holds that clerical regime in Tehran is not interested in reaching peaceful modus vivendi with US now; cites jailing of Haleh Esfandiari, who has been articulate and determined advocate of better relations between Iran, her homeland, and US, her adopted country; says this 67-year-old woman is perfect target to show regime's distaste for Iranians who want to build bridges; disputes Europeans and many Americans who are convinced that commerce and capitalism make friends out of enemies; says neither Europeans nor Americans will find common ground with clerical regime as long as Esfandiari languishes in prison.
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