Ref.: 68 / M / 215

Date: January 30, 2002

To: The White House

From: Association of Iranian Researchers

Subject: State of the Union Address

The remarks made by the President of the United States in the State of the Union Address contained many thought provoking items suggesting the future US policies towards global issues.

As expected a major part of the speech addressed US's future policy in relation to the war against international terrorism. In this respect, it was only natural that a clear stance would be taken against the Islamic Republic one of the most fundamental supporters of global terrorism.

While expressing deep concern at the continuation of the rule of the Islamic Republic in Iran on behalf of myself and the members of ACI, I must stress that as the President and other responsible authorities are rightly aware the Islamic Republic is not a symbol of the will of the Iranian nation. The Iranian nation does not condone violence, abhors terrorism, and detaches itself from it wholeheartedly.

With this in mind, it is crucial for the 'West' to also recognise that 'the elected' in the Islamic Republic is not a true reflection of the real choice of the Iranian nation but the final selection of the 'Guardian Council'. In the entirety of the Islamic Republic system good or bad, better or worse are but one.

Dr Hossein Ladjevardi

Association of Iranian Researchers.