[JimSEA]

Even 40 years ago, the Arab students ould tell you how immoral and decadent American society was. In fact, they would go to great lenths to explain the problems in herent in a "non-Muslim" society. Other international students would usually be thrilled to be here.

There were exceptions within the Muslim community, I had a couple of Iranian friends who, while remaining Muslim, liked the USA. One of these individuals I learned was killed in the revolution (an engineer working on a desalinization (sp?)plant). Of course, they were careful to distance themselves as Persians from the Arabs.

The Arabs which I met were all quite wealthy. (early 1960's)

[river rat]

In my former business dealings --- I never met an Iranian (Persian) that I didn't come to respect and trust. Nor did I meet one that didn't look forward to their next assignment to America and dream of becoming a citizen. Strangely enough -- I was surprised to learn that a small percentage of Persians are Christian - many of whom had to leave Iran to avoid "problems"..

That being said --- I can not say the same from my own experience of any Arabs that I came to know and work with. Having never done business in Israel - I can't compare -- but in the rest of the middle east, only the Turks and Iranians were professional and reliable business partners in my experience.

I believe that once the younger generation of Persians is freed from the maniac mullas -- Iran will very quickly join the civilized nations of the world as a welcomed partner.
Semper Fi