The letter Bush should write

Dear President Ahmadinejad,

Got your letter, thanks for writing. We are touched that you took the time to begin a conversation with us. The 25 years that have passed since our embassy was released have witnessed significant changes in the world in which we live. As your letter points out, there are contradictions in the world of politics, but Western society demands more than simple religious justification for our policies. Living in a state where our people have the freedom to choose their religion requires us to think about our politics as well as our faith.

You and your government, Mr. President, have handed us a conundrum. Historically, the United States thinks well of your country. This is exciting, for we foresee that the Iranian people will become stakeholders in the Middle East. We look forward to a future where Iran rejoins the community of nations in pursuit of a stable, advanced and prosperous Middle East.

The policies that you and your government pursue, however, lead us to wonder if you share the international community's goals for your region. Being a stakeholder in the international community entails responsibilities as well as benefits, and our allies are concerned that you have not embarked on a productive path towards a future of cooperation. Continuing on your current path can only lead to continued international hostility and calamity for your people. Without progress in these areas, we are unconvinced of your determination to play a positive role in tomorrow's Middle East.

Our first set of worries concerns your nuclear program. We are befuddled by your desire for nuclear energy given the other sources of energy that you can access. We are, however, more than willing to concede to you the rights guaranteed to you by the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but we also insist that you hold yourself to the treaty. We are willing to facilitate Iran's civilian nuclear programs so long as they are accompanied by unfettered International Atomic Energy Agency inspections and protection of nuclear materials by other nations — we propose France or Russia. Under this plan, Iran gets what it claims it needs while the fears of the international community can be assuaged.

Secondly, the Iranian government's treatment of the State of Israel is a matter of significant concern. We understand that lives were disrupted during Israel's creation and that lives are disturbed every day that a peace agreement is not in place. While it is certainly acceptable to have a conversation about Israel's policies in the West Bank and in Gaza, its very existence is not up for debate. The future Middle East, Mr. President, contains the state of Israel working productively with its Arab neighbors. The overwhelming majority of countries on the planet recognizes that. Relations between Israel and other Middle Eastern nations are improving day-by-day, and yet, your comments worry the international community. You not only deny the deaths of 11 million individuals (Jews and non-Jews) in one of the worst atrocities in human history, but also actively fund groups that target civilians for death. How can you be a stakeholder in your community when you retard better relations between other states and the emergence of peace?

Lastly, we look to you to play an important role in the rebuilding of Iraq. Having removed a mutual threat, the situation is improving, albeit slowly. A democratic Iraq does not threaten Iran's interests, but instability on your borders does. A regional stakeholder seeks to create and support stability in its neighborhood. Supporting your Shiite allies in Iraq to create a stable and viable state is in both of our interests, and we hope to see you push your allies in a direction toward peace.

When I was at Yale, I majored in history. I remember learning that there was a time when the Islamic world was the center of knowledge and progress. Today, however, dictatorship and repression hold the Middle East back. Living in a fear society stymies creativity, hinders innovation and prevents families from creating better lives for their children. Surely, as a father, you can understand that basic human desire that pervades the American Dream. Freedom is not a country's gift to its people but God's gift to mankind. As I proclaimed at my last inauguration, "to serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side." The United States is committed to helping the Middle East transition from repression to a better way of life. Commit to embarking on the road of progress and become the beacon of light to the entire region. Though the choice is yours, the world is watching.

Sincerely, GWB.

Matthew Gold is a politics major from New York, N.Y. He can be reached at mggold@princeton.edu. Day-today commentary can be found at: http://mattggold.blogspot.com.