The use of dialogue: The values Caucus and the Iranian Ambassador

From IHEU's United Nations Representative

November 2002

Is it possible to have dialogue when the partners' differing values may involve violence and threats to life? A unique group, the Values Caucus at the UN is dedicated to the importance of seeking dialogue wherever possible. The word dialogue is key-- a goal to be sought for.

The Values Caucus searches for common values in a non-confrontational setting which emphasizes active listening to discover the values of others, a search for ways in which they can be shared, and ways to use these shared values for action towards peaceful cooperation in an interdependent and culturally diverse world. The Values Caucus is not officially a part of the UN, but it functions within it.

Martha Gallahue, of the American Ethical Union's National Service Conference, has been active since 1998 in the Coordinating Council of the Values Caucus. Their Coffee Series is a much appreciated undertaking, in which ambassadors meet NGO's in an informal setting. The ambassadors are invited to speak from their personal sense of mission, ideals and
commitments.

The series has included talks from ambassadors from Chile, Mexico, Lesotho, Burundi, Sudan-- the list continues back through 1997. In the words of one ambassador, "I spoke the way I did because there was no microphone."

President Khatami of Iran, a country described by our administration as part of an axis of evil, has called for "a dialogue between civilizations." On Oct. 17, the invited speaker was the Iranian ambassador, H.E.M.R. Javad Zarif. A sleepy-eyed, relaxed and friendly man, he sprang into a total concentration of response when asked about ways of bridging distances between cultures. "Debate is non-productive, only dialogue can be useful. But in order to have dialogue, it must spring from a culture which promotes it. What I do at the UN is debate. If I did not, I would be sent home."

Further, Mr Zarif emphasized that the legitimacy of governments depends on participation by their peoples. On the international scene he felt that Sept. 11 should have made dialogue more rather than less important, as unfortunately, it has become. The possible war with Iraq would bring great suffering to the Iranian people and the region. Iran had already experienced the shock of chemical weapons from the war with Iraq, weapons which had been sold to them by the U.S.

When asked if Iran would support force, if a Security Council resolution on Iraque disar-mament would be invoked, his answer was yes, but Iran would not participate in a war against Iraq. If by some miracle the U.S. could end the war quickly, that would be desirable, but he did not believe that the U.S. was interested in supporting an Iraqui-led government.

It was clear that participation in decision making and sharing of power were major issues in his thinking. His comments on participation and power-sharing appeared to reflect not only the international situation, but by implication could be construed as the situation in his own home government in which a liberal parliament is struggling against the power of the fundamentalist mullahs.

Terrorism, he pointed out, was created by two groups, the demagogues who fomented it, and the people who responded to their calls. He pointed out that material goals were not the only motivation of terrorists. Non-participation, contributing to powerlessness and alienation, promoted an other-worldly view of life.

Mr Zarif's talk did not encourage any easy optimistm. "There are bad people out there." he warned. But the honesty and directness of his message only reinforced the desirability and the need for dialogue at all levels, both internationally and nationally as well.

As believers in ethics motivating action, we are philosophically equipped to make a contribution. In a hybrid and contentious world, the Values Caucus is an ambitious undertaking. It was inspiring to realize that the Ethical Movement's principles are playing a role.

Sylvain and Phyllis Ehrenfeld

IHEU Representatives to the UN
and the AEU's National Service Conference