Katie Couric's Notebook: Iran

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

(AP Photo/NPPA)

At a time when diplomatic relations with Iran stand at a crossroads, one young woman's fate could be a sign post.

Her name is Roxana Saberi. She's a freelance journalist from North Dakota, her father is originally from Iran and for six years she's been filing reports from that country.

In January, she was arrested there and accused of espionage. The details of the charges haven't been made public, and her one-day trial was held behind closed doors. She awaits the verdict now in a prison where a Canadian journalist and an Iranian blogger both met their deaths.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and several human rights groups have called for Saberi's release, saying the charges against her are baseless.

Iran is not a monolith and not all Iranians share their government's views.

But at this moment the world is watching Tehran, waiting for a verdict that could help open the road to diplomacy or put up a massive and chilling stop sign.

That's a page from my notebook.

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by KMX1502 April 18, 2009 8:31 AM EDT: Hi again,

I'm here to respond to the cheap attack of "Mehdi_Shareiff" who accused me of being "on Iranian regime's payroll;" first of all I don't support IRI internal policies (which needs MAJOR reforms) but I do support most of their foreign policy decisions and on that note I'm not going to sit idle and see my country getting slandered by some arrogant governments who think they're superior than others; oh yes, Iran has no right to intervene in a country with whom she shares its longest border but US has the right to fabricate lies to invade a country 9600 km, throw in more than half a million soldiers to secure the interests of its corporations!

As to Mehdi_Shareiff, I know why you're so bitter! it's because not only you have ZERO support among people but people actually dislike you more than IRI. Never in Iran's history any Iranian allied with an invading foreigner for Iran's soil, but MKO and its leader Maryam Rajavi (who in Iran is called "Maryam Commando" lol) kissed the Saddam's hands and fought with him against us. I know with Saddam gone, you're running out of money but don't worry Peres will throw in your face some Shekels. btw don't even lament about "hostage taking" scenarios; before '79 revolution even Khomeini's ppl never hurt anybody but MKO memebers kidannped and assassinated foreigners, among them American tourists. Hopefully your gulag in Northern Iraq will be closed, and Rajavi's cult which only competes with Kim Jong Il's will end too.; Reply to this comment


by derekeddy April 18, 2009 7:41 AM EDT: Although I feel sorry for Roxana Saberi, people really need to understand that they should stay away from countries with backward governments and societies that have no real justice system. Any woman that travels to a Muslim theocracy is crazy and should know better. You're just not protecting yourself when you travel to these countries.; Reply to this comment


by Mehdi_Shareiff April 17, 2009 1:12 PM EDT: Dear Katie,
Islamic Republic of Iran's diplomatic relations and negotiations has for ever had a "hostage negotiations" element.
The first response to your notebook page today posted my KMX1502 is perfect example. The language used in his response leaves no doubt in my mind that he/she is on Iranian regime's payroll. His or her mission is to be the first to post replies to issues related to Iran, and in this particular case, to relay the message of IRI:
"You have our people, we have taken your people, so add this to the "diplomatic" negotiations we are going to have" .

No one wants US to go to war with Iran, but we must not let the fear of a war that will not happen lead us to wrong paths.

The path US is taking to deal with Iran will only have outcomes like this "hostage taking" scenario. Iran continues to meddle in Iraqi affairs and its proxies have turned a camp, which is the home of the main opposition group to the Ayatollahs into a prison for them. Cam Ashraf and its 3500 residents in Iraq are all "hostages" Iranian proxies have taken and will try to use them in the "diplomatic" negotiations with US.

If Obama Administration is serious about "change" in its dealing with Iran and If Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants to send a clear signal to Iran that hostage negotiations and old diplomacy is over, she should take the name of the main Iranian opposition group, the PMO/MEK (many of whom are in cam Ashraf) off the US Foreign Terrorist Organization list and add Iran's Revolutionary Guards to that list.; Reply to this comment


by KMX1502 April 16, 2009 10:04 PM EDT: Roxana Saberi is an Iranian American and thus subject to Iranian laws but with respect to Ms. Couric's article why US is not releasing the 4 Iranians they arrested after storming the Iranian consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan? Even the president of Iraq Mr.Talebani, its prime minister Mr.Nouri Al Maleki and the governor of Kurdistan have called US to release them. As long as US has a "holier than thou" attitude they will always be in trouble and conflict with other countries. I take it to be very comfortable to always have expectations from others and give nothing in return. Iran helped US in Afghanistan and as reward was put in the 'Axis of Evil' countries. Why should Iran always sacrifice first ?; Reply to this comment


by veganking April 16, 2009 8:23 PM EDT: No matter how good her intentions were, that's what happens when you are perceived to be the enemy. Iran must want something from the U.S. out of this, otherwise, why don't they just kick her out of the country.; Reply to this comment

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