U.S. Newswire – News Advisory: Iran Policy Committee (IPC) is holding a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 at 10 a.m. in the West Room of the National Press Club of Washington, to release its report on U.S. policy options on Iran. IPC is comprised of former officials from the White House, State Department, Pentagon, intelligence agencies, the Congress, and experts from think tanks and universities. U.S. Newswire
To: Assignment Desk and Daybook Editor
Contact: Professor Raymond Tanter of the Iran Policy Committee, 202-320-8434
News Advisory:
Iran Policy Committee (IPC) is holding a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 at 10 a.m. in the West Room of the National Press Club of Washington, to release its report on U.S. policy options on Iran. IPC is comprised of former officials from the White House, State Department, Pentagon, intelligence agencies, the Congress, and experts from think tanks and universities.
For too long, Washington has been divided between those who favor engagement with and those who support military strikes against the Iranian regime. President George W. Bush advocates working with the Iranian people as opposed to the regime in Tehran but has not explicitly called for regime change. By calling for change in Tehran based on Iranians instead of Americans, IPC stresses the potential for a third alternative: Keep open diplomatic and military options, while providing a central role for the Iranian opposition to facilitate regime change.
Iran is emerging as the primary threat against the United States and its allies: Iran’s drive to acquire nuclear weapons, continuing support for and involvement with terrorist networks, publicly-stated opposition to the Arab-Israel peace process, disruptive role in Iraq, expansionist radical ideology, and its denial of basic human rights to its own population are challenges confronting U.S. policymakers.
IPC enters the debate in Washington over Iran policy by think tanks that also published reports on Iran-Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), The Committee on the Present Danger (CPD), The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (TWI). In trying to solve the puzzle posed by Iran, IPC’s report suggests that Iranian opposition groups play a central role in U.S. policymaking.
IPC members plan to be accessible to the press during the rollout of the IPC policy paper and upon request.
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: West Room, National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C. 20045
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