Statement on the letter of president Ahmadinejad of Iran and proposals for the US, EU, Russian, Chinese, and Iranian governments for the resolution of the current situation.

The International People's Initiative for Ministries and Departments of Peace welcomes the proposal by President Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran for "new solutions for getting out of international problems and the current fragile situation of the world" - the first letter from an Iranian head of state to an American president in 27 years.

We encourage the government of the United States to respond positively to this initiative. The governments of the European Union, Russia, China, and all countries in the world, together with the United Nations, also have important roles to play in ensuring mediation, negotiation, and an effective resolution of the conflict and avoidance of the use of force and escalating language by all parties involved.

We call for a positive and responsible response from the United States Government to this proposal, and sincere engagement by both the US and Iranian governments in following up this initiative.

1. US GOVERNMENT: to provide a positive response to this call for dialogue and to propose next steps for the initiation of direct discussions with Iran on the peaceful resolution of the current conflict.

2. EU: to use its influence with all actors to encourage the US and Iran to engage in direct dialogue to resolve the current conflict, to mediate the dispute if called upon to do so, and to contribute creatively to practical solutions to the conflict.

3. RUSSIA AND CHINA: to use their influence with all actors to encourage the US and Iran to engage in direct dialogue to resolve the current conflict.

4. IRAN: to maintain a consistent voice for seeking peaceful "new solutions" and to follow-up the letter of President Ahmadinejad with concrete actions and commitment to dialogue and a negotiated solution.

5. US and IRAN: to commit to responsible and constructive engagement for the peaceful resolution of this conflict based upon recognition and respect for the legitimate interests and needs of all countries involved, and to refrain from demonising and stereotyping language and communications that would only serve to further escalate tensions on all sides.

6. CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, UN: to actively promote peaceful and responsible engagement by Iran and the US in the resolution of the current situation, to strengthen direct links and cooperation between citizens and governments on all sides, and to resist by all non-violent means available, including active non-cooperation, any efforts by any of the parties involved to use a military/armed response to the conflict.