Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, during a talk in Washington DC on 2 February 2009 said, differences between Iran and the U.S. are resolvable through direct negotiations “without preconditions”, but added that dialogue must not only focus on Iran’s nuclear issue, but should also be aimed at promoting human rights. “Negotiations should not simply focus on the nuclear energy issue, but should also encompass the promotion of human rights. Talks must serve the interests of the people of the two countries, rather than the interest of a group or a number of companies from the two countries.”
