U.S. Peace delegation returns from Iran, urges dialogue May 19, 2006 A delegation of 22 Americans and one British citizen from the interfaith peace and justice organization, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, returned Saturday, May 20 from a successful two-week trip to Iran. The delegation, the second sent to Iran by FOR in the last six months, met with Iranians from all walks of life and conveyed the message that face-to-face dialogue and discussion, rather than threats and intimidation, are the only solution to the current crisis between Iran and the West. The delegation, comprising people of different faith traditions, traveled the country and met with representatives of religious communities, the media, academics and students, women’s groups, and a variety of nongovernmental and social service organizations. They visited cultural and historic sites in Tehran, Esfehan, Shiraz, and the holy city of Qom. During a meeting with Iranian media, they delivered to the Iranian people thousands of handwritten messages of peace from ordinary Americans. On their last full day in Iran, they were invited to a two-hour meeting with Iranian Vice-President Dr. Esfandiar Rahim Mashai. The delegates found common ground with Dr. Mashai in the desire for increased dialogue and exchanges between Iran and the West. “Our experience of Iranian society, the warm welcome of the people, and the hope for real dialogue, breaks down all the stereotypes that have been promulgated for the last 27 years,” said delegate David Robinson, who is director of the national Roman Catholic peace organization Pax Christi. “We return intent on dispelling this ‘enemy’ image – an image that makes it easy to consider bombing them.” Sister Ellen Francis, co-leader of the delegation, said the group “tried to bridge divides and show, through our example, that the way forward through this political crisis is to sit in the same room and talk through difficulties face to face.” After their return to the United States on Saturday, the delegates will be available for media interviews. They will speak to community groups across the nation, and also hope to brief members of Congress about their trip, to convey their conviction that there are peaceful options for defusing the current political standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. FOR Iran Initiative Contact: Hossein Alizadeh, 845-358-4601 ext. 27 Iran@forusa.org FOR Contact:  Jennifer Hyman, 845-358-4601 ext. 40 communications@forusa.org