David Ibsen, coalitions director of the New York-based United Against Nuclear Iran, says the world is running out of time in its efforts to stop Tehran from nuclear capability.
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July 2, 2009
An opponent of Iran’s nuclear program urged the Jewish community to step up economic pressure against the regime in Tehran — and take advantage of “a groundswell” of popular outrage at its violent treatment of dissidents.
“We think the best way to address this issue is through concentrated economic pressure,” said David Ibsen, coalitions director at the New York-based United Against Nuclear Iran. “The time to act in relation to Iran’s nuclear aspirations is now. It has obviously been helped along by developments in regard to the elections.”
Ibsen spoke before a June 24 board meeting of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ’s Community Relations Committee, two weeks into a post-election crisis that saw anti-government protesters take to the streets of the Islamic Republic.
Ibsen’s group was formed as a coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish groups in hopes of expanding awareness of the Iranian nuclear threat beyond the Jewish and pro-Israel community.
Before taking his present job, Ibsen was a policy analyst at the State Department and the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund under the George W. Bush administration.
He spoke of a combination of factors — the world economic crisis, fluctuating oil prices, and current sanctions — that have pushed Iran to the economic brink.
“Iran is very susceptible to economic pressure. Unlike North Korea or Myanmar, it is very integrated into the global economy,” Ibsen said. “They are really cut off from the world banking system. Iran, on the other hand, is integrated into the system, and economic pressure could cause significant pain.”
Iran relies on international businesses, said Ibsen.
“These companies prop up Iran’s economy and provide Iran with the funds it needs to divert funds to its nuclear weapons program.
“This creates a certain opportunity we can take advantage of.”
He urged the Jewish community to broaden its outreach to other groups concerned with nuclear proliferation and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s brutal suppression of dissent.
“We support the [Obama] administration’s very good efforts to extend an open hand to the Iranian people and the Iranian regime. In response to this open hand, what we have gotten is a closed fist,” Ibsen said.
Ibsen urged groups and individuals to consult the Iran Business Registry, a section of his organization’s website, www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ibr, which offers a list of 150 companies operating in Iran.
“We can tell these companies they have a choice: either do business here in America or do business with Iran.”
Ibsen said non-governmental organizations have a significant role to play in standing up to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I think we can really make a big difference. We are running out of time, and I think it is important we use all the tools in our tool belt,” he said. “We really have only one chance to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
An ‘extraordinary’ moment in Iran
Iran's preesidential election and brutal aftermath were on the minds of David Ibsen and his audience in Whippany, as Ibsen spoke of efforts to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“What is going on right now in Iran is quite extraordinary,” Ibsen said during his June 24 talk. “I don’t think anyone really knows what we’re seeing. Is it a revolution? Is it the harbinger of a revolution? Are we seeing a reshuffling of the delicate political balance between democracy and theocracy?
“Or are we seeing more reactionary elements coming into power? Either way, it is a spontaneous showing of discontent with the current theocratic leadership.”
He referred to the American government’s overthrow of Iran’s democratically elected government in 1953, its support of the dictatorial shah, then the ensuing Islamic Revolution of 1979 and seizure of hostages at the American embassy.
“It is very important for the U.S. not to be seen meddling in their elections or their domestic policies in general,” he said.
He praised President Barack Obama’s June 23 comments saying he was “appalled and outraged” by the Iranian regime’s suppression, a statement that came after a cautious period in which the White House studiously avoided the kind of strong rhetoric it feared would allow Iranian leaders to blame the unrest on American interference.
“A moral imperative [on Obama’s part] quite rightfully has superseded a strategic imperative to be silent on the elections,” said Ibsen.
Ibsen said all the candidates for president “stated quite unequivocally that they would continue the nuclear enrichment program, no matter what,” said Ibsen. Former prime minister and presidential contender Mir Hossein Mousavi said “he would engage more in dialogues with the U.S. administration, but either way, the program is going to continue.”
— ROBERT WIENER
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