DATE=10/22/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=U-S - IRAN RELATIONS
NUMBER=5-44600
BYLINE=ED WARNER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States and Iran no longer seem to
be enemies, but are not yet friends. Some key issues
keep them apart, notably the Middle East peace
process, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
In a recent speech, a top U-S official said it is time
for dialogue, but the Iranian response was cool. V-O-
A's Ed Warner asked two former U-S ambassadors about
the prospects for a closer relationship between the
two countries.
TEXT: The United States is prepared to develop a road
map in which this country and Iran will take parallel
steps toward the goal of normal relations.
That was the proposal offered by Martin Indyk,
Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs, in a recent
speech to the Asia Society. He noted some of the
cooperative steps the two countries have taken in
dealing with illicit drugs and encouraging people-to-
people exchanges. As a result, the United States has
relaxed sanctions on the sale of food and medicine to
Iran.
The United States still accuses Iran of harboring
terrorists, but Mr. Indyk noted that Iran is also a
victim of terrorism. Attacks on Iranian officials
have led the United States to declare Iran's main
opposition group - the National Council of Resistance
- a terrorist organization.
Mr. Indyk said the usual Iranian response to any
American proposal for dialogue is rigid and
unimaginative. So he was probably not surprised by a
brusque reaction from Iranian leaders. They insist on
the United States first taking some practical steps -
such as lifting more sanctions.
The United States is anxious for better relations with
Iran, says Roscoe Suddarth, president of the Middle
East Institute and a former U-S ambassador to Jordan.
The point of the Indyk speech is to keep doors open,
he says, but Iranians have shut the door on the Middle
East peace process:
/// Suddarth act ///
They are still having robust support for Hamas
and Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah at a time, as
Indyk said, when even (Libyan leader Muammar)
Qadhafi is withdrawing support, apparently from
organizations like Abu Nidal. So it is not just
the rhetoric against the peace process, but it
is also supporting groups that could actively
undermine it through acts of terrorism.
/// End Act ///
Ambassador Suddarth says there is no evidence Iran is
promoting terrorism, but it keeps its ties to
terrorist groups. It has not cooperated in the
investigation of the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in
Saudi Arabia that killed nineteen Americans:
/// Suddarth Act ///
I always encourage my Iranian contacts if they
want to do one thing - and it is a relatively
small thing - to interest the United States and
get some movement, it would be to cut off
funding for Islamic Jihad, which is a far
smaller party and one that has a far greater
proportion of its activities devoted to violence
and terrorism than either Hezbollah or Hamas.
/// End Act ///
Ambassador Suddarth says better relations will depend
on President Mohammed Khatami exercising more power
with the support of a younger, more open generation of
Iranians.
The president is a critical figure, says William
Miller, a former U-S ambassador to Ukraine who also
served in Iran for five years. He thinks President
Khatami's pragmatic, incremental approach will yield
results:
/// Miller Act ///
It really involves the entire nature of our
respective societies; that is, trade, commerce,
business, science, education, culture, travel -
the things that make up most of the relationship
between nations. After all, diplomacy and
political settlements are a very small part of
what is involved in the interaction of countries
with each other.
/// End Act ///
Ambassador Miller says the more Americans and Iranians
interact the better. He believes majorities in both
countries want a settlement of outstanding issues so
that they can get on with normal activities. Disputes
are easier to solve between friends than enemies.
Conservative clerics are an obstacle to closer
relations, but Ambassador Miller notes there are other
religious leaders in Iran:
/// Miller Act ///
Iran is not fundamentalist. Iran is a very
complicated society which has a varied approach
to many of the aspects of life. Its religion is
led by people of great learning and distinction.
It has men of great openness and character among
the religious leadership with whom you can have
a very direct and constructive dialogue.
/// End Act ///
Ambassador Miller and others say much depends on which
voices prevail in Iran - those that are open to the
world or those that are not. (signed)
NEB/EW/JP
22-Oct-1999 18:01 PM EDT (22-Oct-1999 2201 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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