Executive secretary of FCNL speaks about Iran experience
Jake Blumgart
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: News
"(Volk's talk) gives us a better understanding of what we call 'track-two diplomacy,'" said Vernie Davis, director of the peace and conflict studies department and a longtime friend of Volk. "Citizens' groups becoming involved in diplomacy and working outside of official government circles work on increasing the understanding."
Volk's group of citizen diplomats reached exceptionally high into the Iranian power structure. On one of their last nights, the delegation talked theology and politics with President Ahmadinejad. The discussion included what many see as the most troubling aspects of Ahmadinejad's presidency - his alleged support of terrorism and his anti-Semitic comments.
"He said nothing about Israel that will relieve anyone's concerns about him," Volk said. "But the Iranian president does not have the same powers that ours does. He isn't the commander and chief, he doesn't make foreign policy - it is the supreme leader who oversees the military."
"I noticed that his talk with the president was the only time (Volk) doubted what someone said," said Rania Campbell-Cobb, senior co-clerk of the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program. "He told us that he didn't know how much truth there was in that (conversation.)"
Despite these cautionary words, Volk ended on the uplifting message that conflict could be avoided by quoting Abraham Lincoln's response to a suggestion that he destroy the South at the end of the Civil War. "Am I not destroying my enemies when I call them my friend?"
Volk's group of citizen diplomats reached exceptionally high into the Iranian power structure. On one of their last nights, the delegation talked theology and politics with President Ahmadinejad. The discussion included what many see as the most troubling aspects of Ahmadinejad's presidency - his alleged support of terrorism and his anti-Semitic comments.
"He said nothing about Israel that will relieve anyone's concerns about him," Volk said. "But the Iranian president does not have the same powers that ours does. He isn't the commander and chief, he doesn't make foreign policy - it is the supreme leader who oversees the military."
"I noticed that his talk with the president was the only time (Volk) doubted what someone said," said Rania Campbell-Cobb, senior co-clerk of the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program. "He told us that he didn't know how much truth there was in that (conversation.)"
Despite these cautionary words, Volk ended on the uplifting message that conflict could be avoided by quoting Abraham Lincoln's response to a suggestion that he destroy the South at the end of the Civil War. "Am I not destroying my enemies when I call them my friend?"
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JAY CARRIGAN
posted 3/03/08 @ 2:10 PM EST
contin. . . Secretary Volk spoke of former President Rafsanjani repeating verbatim the conditions Mr. Volk had just read, dnying knowledge of any communication with the White House but then sending an aide to explain his denial. (Continued…)
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