Death of Khomeini

The Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death on June 3 coincided with tumultuous events in China, unprecedented in its recent history. These two spots of turmoil pose difficult policy questions for the Bush Administration. Obviously caution and a call for calm and moderation characterize the Administration’s reaction in both regions.

Having been born in Iran and now a naturalized citizen of this country, my interests naturally gravitate to the issues arising out of Khomeini’s death. It is interesting to note that all the Iran experts, who have offered their views on the national television and radio programs, have called for a concerted U.S. policy to seek out and establish relations with the moderates within the Iranian regime. Even a former American hostage thought a letter of condolence to Iranian authorities from U.S. officials would be a nice gesture.

Where have all the yellow ribbons and condemnations for terrorist actions gone? I suppose the Iran-Contra affair has already exposed the answer. Perhaps the Administration should consider whether the principles of democracy and preservation of all human rights, which are so essential to the fabric of the American culture itself, are practiced in Iran before approaching the “moderates.”

Thousands have perished innocently in the prisons of the Islamic Republic. Thousands more face executions. If human rights are at the top of the agenda in dealing with Poland and other Eastern Bloc countries, why are they not even mentioned when trying to re-establish ties with the “moderates” in Iran?

BIJAN NOURI

Bel-Air