Iran set to release US hikers

[Jefferson23]

Sept 15, 2011

By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

Dear President Ahmadinejad,
I have learned of your intervention to assist Sarah in her plight, and to make it possible for her to return to her family. I am only one of a great many people who deeply appreciate these kind and humane efforts.

I would like to urge, once again, that you do what you can to ensure that that her companions, Shane and Josh, are released as well. They are idealistic young men, innocent of any crime with the possible exception of unwittingly crossing the border.

Shane, Sarah and Josh have spoken out against aggressive foreign policies of the United States. Their good deeds and compassionate acts are well documented. They deserve some long overdue compassion in return. I realize the tensions between the US and Iran are acute and rooted in a difficult and often shameful history, but these innocent young people should not have to suffer from these painful events, which we all hope will soon reach a peaceful and honorable resolution.

I hope that the government and judiciary will come to recognize that there is no reason to detain these young men, and will allow them to return to their anxious and grieving families, an act of compassion that will be welcomed with great gratitude and appreciation throughout the world by those who wish the best for the people of Iran and the United States.

This letter was written by American peace activist Noam Chomsky, dated September 2010, and as per Chomsky's request I hand-delivered it to Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad during his New York visit to the United Nations. It concerned the fate of Americans Shane Bauer, 28 and Josh Fattal, 28, who along with Sarah Shourd, 32, were arrested on July 31, 2009, by Iranian border guards for alleged espionage while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran claims the three crossed into its territory, but the three claim they were kidnapped from within Iraq. Sarah was released on US$500,000 bail by Iran on September 14, 2010, on humanitarian grounds due to her declining health.

remainder: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MI15Ak02.html