As Iran readies itself for next week's elections, first-year students Gregg Nakano and Mohammed Mussavi Rizi are pushing for increased dialogue between the U.S. and Iran. While hard-liners in Washington and Tehran gird themselves to defend against change, these young diplomats hope to help bring about rapprochement.

Nakano and Mussavi met in December to discuss the possibility of establishing a U.S.-Iran Student Exchange Program. Subsequently, the project was briefed to Dean Galvin who, although concerned about political ramifications, tentatively approved and directed further consultations with Dean Sheehan. Prior to the commencement of winter break, a proposal for an independent study program was submitted to Sheehan.

Creating "mutual understanding" and the "re-establishment of lines of communication" at the grassroots level are key to easing the tensions between the two countries, Nakano told a group of students at a Feb. 7 meeting. Nakano said the idea for the program was triggered while visiting the Persian Gulf where he realized that the U.S. was partly "culpable for the creation of the despotism manifested in Saddam Hussein" and led him to "believe that we need to find truly democratic means to solve issues." 

Nakano and Mussavi's initial goal is to have Fletcher students pursue summer studies in Iran beginning this year, while Iranian students enroll in Fletcher's summer program. Contacts with Iranian institutions, namely the Institute for Political and International Studies/Center for Diplomatic Training, have been made while knowledgeable U.S. academics have offered insights to program feasibility and structuring. "Iranian students are interested in adding to their skills," said Mussavi.  The fact that "Fletcher is skill- oriented" will be a key draw for quality people, he added.

While the two Fletcher diplomats realize the enormous government and other hurdles in their path, they look forward to the successful exchange of students--along with ideas, understanding and friendship--essential to the rebuilding of ties between Iran and the United States.  "If the group does nothing else but cause people to examine their beliefs and expand their vision of possible solutions, the project will have been effective, whether we get one person to Iran or not," said Nakano.

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