Editor:

I’d like to respond to Jessie Fawson’s column (“What should the U.S. do about Iran’s nuclear program?: We Should Whoop Iran’s Ass,” Oct. 11).

First of all, let me congratulate The Chronicle as well as Fawson in having such great maturity and consideration in using the above-mentioned headline. It’s good to know that a U student has this much sensitivity and respect toward not only Iranians worldwide, but also the many on this campus. As an Iranian myself, after reading the article, I have a better appreciation for a safe and caring learning environment; it’s just a shame that we don’t have that here.

Now as far as the column itself, I will say that I do agree with some of Fawson’s points (very few of them but, nonetheless, some). The statements the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made in the past regarding the Holocaust are not only despicable, but also embarrassing for Iran and Iranians alike. In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize on behalf of my country to the Jewish community worldwide. I hope they know that the opinions of Ahmadinejad on this matter are not shared by most Iranians.

I am not a supporter of the current regime in Iran. Rather, I probably would be considered more of a royalist in opposition of the government. But I will defend a country that is completely within its rights. Throughout this whole ordeal, Iran has been completely in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It has actually gone beyond what it has to in voluntarily allowing U.N. agents to repeatedly inspect and monitor both military and nuclear sites. And every single time both the United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency have reported no evidence of nuclear weapons programs. But even still, Iran is seen in the wrong. Whereas in reality, according to the stipulations of the NPT, the United States and other countries with nuclear power are obligated to help Iran in gaining the same.

It’s interesting that Fawson compares the Iranian president to a “bully.” After all, he’s only protecting his nation’s rights to a practical and much needed energy source. This, while the watchdog of the world and protectorate of freedom-the United States-polices nations through military attack. Iran is a peaceful country that has not attacked another in more than 150 years.

Ahmadinejad is far from perfect?no question. But he’s not a terrorist. Fawson’s point of his being involved in a hostage takeover is incorrect. This was a mistake made by CNN that was later retracted. In addition, personal views of Ahmadinejad are unrelated to his capabilities as president, especially in regard to the nuclear program. President Bush made comments over the summer at a national Judeo-Christian conference, praising unity in a godly war against the evils of Islam. Those are his personal opinions, but it’s his performance as a president-as a leader-that really matters.

Iran is being branded as the stubborn, uncooperative instigator in this whole issue. But that is far from the truth. Iran has done everything to accommodate the unfair demands of the world while still maintaining its justified and rightful standpoint on the nuclear program. Yet the media, including journalists like Fawson, label it as the bully. Whereas the real bully, the United States, remains unscathed after continually breaking international laws as it made a mockery of the United Nations when it went ahead and attacked Iraq.

In conclusion, to reply to Fawson’s column, the high-and-mighty powerful United States has attacked the poorest and weakest countries in the region (Afghanistan and Iraq). And with all its high-tech, top-of-the-line and far superior military, it is in the mess that it is today.

Taking on two countries with either outdated military equipment or a complete lack thereof proved to be much more difficult than it seemed. To put it in Fawson’s words, if you’d like to “whoop Iran’s ass,” good luck, because it’ll whoop your ass right back.

Homayoun Hejazi

Senior

Biology