Your Excellency, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran

This is an Open Letter to the President of Islamic Republic of Iran to release Ms Ashtiani. Blog readers and followers are also referred to Blog entries 08 July 2010 and one made earlier on the 18 July 2010 regarding the circumstances that Ms Ashtiani finds herself. I have been quite moved by the situation since first reading about it in The Times while I was at our flat in Cardiff undertaking some repair work. I stopped that work and started writing letters and Blogging about Ms Ashtiani. This third letter, has been written because my previous two letters went unanswered.

"... Your Excellency, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran

I have written to you on several occasions via the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran that is based in London. I have also sent my letter electronically to other persons that may have access to your email and as such can forward communications. I am yet to receive a reply, and suspect that in the main, this is due to my humble status.

I have written to you and published one of these letters on my Blog because I care for people and I am therefore concerned about the case of Ms Ashtiani. I have taken a non judgemental stance and instead attempted to engage with you through reasoned argument. The Blog has been read by people from 22 countries and that figure increases daily. The essence of the Blog is about people, cultures, and civilisation. The Blog may be set against a background of Africanism, but it really examines and comments upon social matters. Irrespective of the issues under comment; be it African, Welsh or matters from another Country. The origin doesn't matter, as it's about the link and the value of a topic to the broader debate. In particular the Blog examines the Civilising Processes that we all participate in, and the social and economic science nature of these processes. An examination of the Civilising Processes (that show that Western society is not yet civilised) was the fundamental reason for asking you to release Ms Ashtiani.

I yet again write an open letter and ask the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Ms Ashtiani. Not because of World opinion, but because you decide that it is the correct thing to do. I have explained in my two previous letters that the Republic could grow stronger from making such a decision. President Obama spoke of offering his hand if Iran would unclench its fist. These are good words, but they were probably written for effect.

I’m not so certain that the hand of Iran is clenched at all. Misunderstood yes, but then again domestic matters are often relevant to domestic circumstance. That position is fine. I have explained in my other letters, that the decisions made by a sovereign state are unique to that State. But the Islamic Republic of Iran can now move forward to embrace the wider community and in making that significant step it can make Iran stronger. Deciding to release Ms Ashtiani is a painless decision, but one that will strengthen the Republic. I yet again urge you to take the next step and start to portray the Islamic Republic of Iran as a caring State that now wants to take its place in World affairs. You have been out on a limb for far too long, now is the time to take an active part in the Civilising process that makes the World a safer and stronger place..."

You can contact me at rba@hotmail.co.uk

Wants and desire

I want to write about the gates, my new friends from the Cameroon, and our Anniversary meal. In fact I really desire the opportunity to tell you about the many meals that I have eaten in the last few months at some wonderful and not so wonderful restaurants and cafes around Wales. But that all pales into insignificance compared to the urgent need to still press the Islamic Republic of Iran for the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Who followers and readers of this Blog will know was sentenced to Death by Stoning.

I read of Ms Ahtiani's intended fate while at our flat in Cardiff, after an extremely hard day of prepping the gates for painting. When I read the story in The Times it was in the early hours of the morning and the story was on Page 27. I was horrified by what I read, and was moved to stop working on the gates and instead add a page or two to the Blog and then write the first of two letters that I sent to both the U.N. and the Iranian Embassy in London. After updating the Blog and writing and sending the letter, I went about my business for the day. After a lot more hard work I ended up at Cafe Nero in Cardiff and then read The Times to find that the story had spread overnight from Page 27 to dominate the front cover and the main pages of The Times. Well done to the The Times for taking such a strong stance in such an important matter.

I followed up the initial letter with a second, in which I again set out my position and reasoned arguments. I have learnt that all too often, people shy away from the evidence and reasoned argument of a debate and instead immerse themselves in the emotive dialogue of defence. Sometimes, some things, cannot be defended.

My academic hero is Norbert Elias. Again, followers and readers of the Blog will know of his stature and worth. My academic hero from the United Kingdom is World renowned Professor Andrew Linklater. His work on Harm in World Politics is to say the least 'eye-opening'. Professor Linklater cares for people, and I suppose that my caring nature was enhanced by my exposure to his teaching.

Just when you think that you have all of your heroes in position, and can proceed to buy the Box Set. Along comes a new contender, on this occasion a beautiful looking lady by the name of Nazanin Afshin-Jam. I can advocate her beauty without appearing sexist, as the delightful looking Nazanin is a former Miss World Canada. But her recent beauty is not enhanced by her looks, but by her position as a Human Rights Activist. I have read about Nazanin, because on the 17 July 2010 (our Anniversary), The Times was still running material regarding Ms Ashtiani and The Islamic Republic of Iran. This article was on the 'Opinion' page and was written by Nazanin Afshin-Jam.

Check out http://freesakineh.org/ and http://www.nazaninafshinjam.com/ and while you are at the former Website, take the time to add your name to the petition concerning Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. And if you can find some new and relevant addresses for me to send my two letters to the Islamic Republic of Iran; then please drop me a note at rba@hotmail.co.uk