Retired Army Brigadier General & Other Arizonians Call for Diplomacy with Iran

Today’s Tucson Citizen includes editorial on Iran written by John Adams, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general and doctoral student of political science at the University of Arizona; and Ted Downing, a former state legislator and a University of Arizona professor. The authors argue that “the danger of another pre-emptive U.S. attack looms urgently” and “American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities could risk all-out war throughout the Mideast.” The editorial goes on to cite consequences of a U.S. attack on Iran. It concludes:

“All of these risks must be fully disclosed, discussed and assessed openly and, most important, our congressional representatives must maintain their right to make any decision to attack Iran.

“Our diplomatic relationship with Iran is central to improving the security structure in the Middle East and is critical to our global influence as well.

“Iran can provide the security arrangements that can help the U.S. coordinate a safe and honorable withdrawal from Iraq.

“Continuing to view Iran as an adversary that must be contained or pressured will only delay this process.

“Conversely, America can provide the one thing that the Iran regime desires most, i.e. legitimacy and reintegration into the world community. Only effective and informed diplomacy can yield a peaceful and permanent solution to these problems.”

A number of others also contributed to the essay, including: Lawyer Harrison Dickey, history professor Richard Eaton of the University of Arizona; Republican businesswoman Cele Peterson; retired doctor and UA College of Medicine professor Barbara H. Warren; and Donna Branch-Gilby, former head of the Pima County Democratic Party and a candidate for the county Board of Supervisors.