For Iran, spring brings fresh stance from US

US President Barack Obama sent Iran an unprecedented videotaped message on Friday offering a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement after decades of US hostility to the Islamic Republic. His message was released to coincide with Iranian observance of the ancient festival of Nowruz, celebrating the arrival of spring.

Obama went further than he has since taking office on Jan 20 in extending an olive branch to Teheran, which has been locked in bitter disputes with Washington over Iranian nuclear ambitions and support for militant Islamic groups.

In an unusually swift reaction to Obama's overture, a senior official said Iran welcomed "the interest of the American government to settle differences".

But Aliakbar Javanfekr, an aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said the Obama administration "should realize its previous mistakes and make an effort to amend them".

"By fundamentally changing its behavior America can offer us a friendly hand," he said. "Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed," he said.

Javanfekr singled out US backing for Israel, Iran's main enemy in the region, saying that: "Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture."

Obama has already expressed a readiness to have face-to-face diplomatic contacts with Teheran, a major shift from former president George W. Bush's policy of trying to isolate a country he once branded part of an "axis of evil".

In his videotape message, Obama said: "My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties."

"This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect," he said. The message was released to Middle East broadcast outlets to mark an Iranian holiday celebration.

Obama said the US wanted Iran to take its "rightful place in the community of nations", but also insisted that Teheran do its part to achieve reconciliation.

"You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization," Obama said.

"The measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he added, alluding to Iran's contested nuclear program and its missile development efforts.

To stress the seriousness of Obama's overture, the White House distributed the videotape with Farsi subtitles and posted it on its website.

"I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Obama said in a conciliatory tone that contrasted sharply with Bush's hardline approach. "We seek the promise of a new beginning."

The US is at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear program, which Washington says is aimed at building atomic weapons, while Teheran insists it is for the peaceful generation of electricity.

Obama has also insisted that Iran end support for groups the US considers terrorist organizations and cease 'bellicose language" toward Israel, a close US ally.

Reuters

(China Daily 03/21/2009 page11)