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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday attempted a goodwill tour of the nation’s media capitals, speaking by videoconference at the National Press Club in Washington and in person at Columbia University in New York City.

But his comments ended in ill will at Columbia, where the Iranian leader found himself booed and harangued by the audience and insulted by the university’s president, Lee C. Bollinger.

“Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator,” Bollinger said to loud applause.

President Ahmadinejad was subjected to a hailstorm of criticism following his appearance at Columbia University.  His vociferous critics will only ensure that tensions in the Middle East remain high and that needless deaths result from warfare.

The Iranian President was reaching out and providing a chance for some meaningful dialogue to occur.  That is what is needed, not more interventionism.

Of course, some statements that have been made by Ahmadinejad are repulsive to many Americans, an example would be his position on gays.  What needs to be remembered is that Iran’s culture is quite different than ours.  It is unrealistic to try to impose our cultural values on another country.

If the invitation for a meaningful dialogue is pursued, we will benefit and so will Iran.  One of the first steps that must be taken is the elimination of economic sanctions that we, and the U.N., have imposed on Iran.  The resultant free-trade would be uniformly beneficial and sow the seeds for cultural change from within.

Our current big stick policy toward Iran isn’t working and only prolongs the wait for a real solution.

The Buffalo News: National: Iran leader contentious in U.S. visit