Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

IRAN

IRAN: "U.S. Shouldn't Expect Changes In Iranian Views"

Official Iranian radio, Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran First Program Network, aired this comment (1/31): "Iran's glorious revolution is on the threshold of entering its third decade of social-political and international life. As a result, in these final days of the second decade of the revolution, many experts...are trying to portray the outlook of the Islamic revolution and its place in the world. Without a doubt, some of the most prominent features of the revolution in the last 20 years have been its emphasis on independence and Islamic-national identity; resistance against domination and the belligerence of America; displaying a model of progress and independence; and showing its resistance, rooted in the Islamic and revolutionary identity of Iranians, to the world, and in particular to the Muslim nations. But the day after the revolution, the people...were faced with a complicated and expanded network of foreign conspiracies including coups, waves of terrorism, violence and bloodletting, and civil and external wars. These were arranged by those who were enemies of the Muslim Iranian nation's honor. And at the apex of these plotters was the U.S. administration.

"Last year, in a speech to the U.S. nation criticizing the foreign policies of America...[President] Khatami subtly emphasized the point that the Islamic Republic did not expect to see Tel Aviv as the center of U.S. foreign policy making for Iran and other countries in the region. In recent days, and on the threshold of the 20th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, the president's words underline what has been said by many analysts, including a few nearly realist ones from America. [U.S. Middle East expert] Richard Murphy...has made similar remarks.... With its policies and legislation embedded in hostility toward Iran and favoring the interests of Israel, the U.S. Congress has shown that it is a secure channel for international Zionism, which is designed to put pressure on Muslim nations of the region and Iran.... However, as an informed person with regard to the foreign policies of his country, Mr. Murphy well knows that the Congress has not been the only engine of attrition for Israel against Iran. Throughout the years there were bitter rivalries between the Congress and the White House on...maintaining the interests of the Zionist regime. The fact revealed in Murphy's remarks is: As long as Iran's policy toward Israel remains the same, the possibility of any change in U.S. foreign policy regarding Iran is remote. But, as was emphasized last year by Mr. Khatami, as long as the regional foreign policy of America is regulated and determined in Tel Aviv, America should not expect any change in the views of the Iranian nation and its government or other Muslim nations of the region."

"U.S. Policy On Iran, Middle East Mired In Deep, Internal Contradictions"

The visit of Assistant Secretary Martin Indyk and Special Envoy Frank Riccardione to the Gulf countries prompted this commentary on official Iranian radio, Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran First Program Network (2/2): "America's expressed enthusiasm for cooperation with Iran at a time when all its previous attempts to overthrow Saddam failed is an indication of the extent of America's abjectness and the ineffectiveness of its policy in containing Iraq. Its emphasis on the continuation of its policy of containing Iran reveals, at the same time, Washington's pessimism about winning Iran over on regional issues. Although the U.S. State Department superficially pretends that its Middle East policy to advance the peace process, to contain Iraq and to adopt an attitude of careful confrontation toward Iran has been successful, what is demonstrated instead is a deep, internal contradiction within the U.S. foreign policy thinking and decision-making machinery.

"On the one hand, Madeleine Albright and her assistants try to speak about Iran in a new tone of voice and, by condemning Iran for disregarding the change in American policy, to throw the ball back into the Iranian court, so to speak. On the other hand, through such measures as the continuation of the sanctions, opposing the suggestion that the pipeline carrying oil from the

Caspian Sea region should pass through Iranian territory, and underlining the continuation of the dual-containment policy, the United States persists in using its old, tested policies regarding Iran. American officials know better than anyone else that their policy for taking Iran into their fold has failed, and, at the same time, their continued efforts aimed at isolating Iran have in fact only isolated them and tied their hands in the region. But they do not have the courage to admit this failure and, at a time when they ask for Iranian assistance in solving the problems of the region, they also resort to threatening words. Of course, the Iranian nation and government have been accustomed to this language for quite some time, but the point should also be made that Iran has, in its most difficult moments, stood up to America's unbound demands. Moreover, today too, on the threshold of the 20th anniversary of the revolution, when Iran is placed in the best possible regional and international circumstances, it is capable of defending its national interests from a position of strength."

EUROPE

FRANCE: "Transition, Iranian Style"

Dominique Bari commented (2/4) in Communist l'Humanite, "Iran is in the midst of

a factional war. The regime has found its traditional divisions between conservatives and reformers. Isolated within the constitutional system, President Khatami is looking for support among the new generation, women, the press and intellectuals, to counterbalance the effect of powerful adversaries. The battle is far from gentle.... The next elections will prove whether Iran in transition has the capacity for democracy."

"From Revolution To Evolution"

Right-of-center Les Echos said in its editorial (2/2): "A revolution is a failed attempt at evolution.... Today's Iran is opting for a liberal evolution. The message has been received and Iran is encouraged by the EU. President Khatami is expected in Paris in the spring and Gerhard Schroeder is eager to 'welcome him' to Germany soon.... Even America, recognizing that its containment policy has failed, is waiting to see how things evolve in Iran before committing itself further unless U.S. hostility toward Iraq leads the United States to make a gesture, on the belief that my enemy's enemy can eventually become my friend."

GERMANY: "Snarl Of Problems In The Gulf"

Uwe Krueger noted in an editorial in right-of-center Maerkische Oderzeitung of Frankfurt on the Oder (1/28): "The latest U.S. attacks against Baghdad have now also brought Iran into the game.... In view of the tense relations between Iran and the United States, this means additional potential for conflict.... However, in view of the current situation, Washington can hardly be interested in a conflict with Iran in addition to the one with Iraq.... Moscow is also playing a role in the many conflicts in the Gulf.... It is obviously in Moscow's interest to keep a foot in the door in this strategically important region.... This is true not only for Iran but also for Iraq.... This has contributed to the fact that Saddam still sits firmly in the saddle. Moscow has condemned the heavy U.S. and British attacks on Baghdad. And Iran can also be certain of Russian solidarity."

BELGIUM: "Improved Ties With Iran And West"

Foreign affairs writer Manu Tassier remarked in independent Catholic De Standaard (2/2): "The United States in particular, felt very uneasy about what it termed the 'irrational politics' of the Iranian leaders. The nadir in the relationship--the one-year-long hostage taking of U.S. embassy personnel in Tehran--continues to have an impact on the relationship. With other Western countries, however, relations have gradually improved.... For Iran, better relations

with the West are of major importance because its obsolete industrial sector urgently needs investments. More than half of Iran's population is under 25. Young people are no longer satisfied with revolutionary slogans; they want jobs and better lives. They have hope that progressive President Khatami will be able to realize their dreams. Whether Khatami, who has cautiously allowed a new wind to blow in Tehran since coming to power in 1997, will succeed in pushing through his policy is far from certain. At a given moment, the celebration of 20 years of revolution even seemed to be overshadowed by a struggle between reformers and conservatives. The fact that it is still possible for the Iranians to discuss that shows that the political debate is not dead yet."

DENMARK: "Tired Revolution"

Conservative Berlingske Tidende (2/3) had this editorial: "While Iran slowly seems to be moving away from the mistakes of the past, the new regime in Afghanistan is repeating all its neighbor's mistakes in an even more twisted and perverted interpretation of the Koran. And despite Iran's poor example, desperate young people in many other countries unfortunately still consider extreme religious fanaticism to be a useful political tool in their struggle for a better life."

HUNGARY: "Iran Seeks New Ways"

Foreign affairs writer Edit Zsigovits wrote in liberal Magyar Hirlap (2/3): "The current Iran administration wants to present that the country has come to a crossroads. Again. The Ayatollah Khomeini's successor, the more moderate Khameini openly supports the new head of state, [Khatami], who opens ways to social and political liberalism. Iran, accordingly, has become more open, although the fight inside for power has not been entirely ended yet. While Iran is preparing for commemorating the rock-hard ruler Khomeini, the future of Iran has been outlined at the Forum in Davos: Iran has got to get freed from Shiite custody in order to get over its economic, as well as its social crisis."

RUSSIA: "Iran Potential Ally"

Aleksandr Reutov suggested in centrist daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta (1/30): "Tehran may become Moscow's chief ally to help it offset an American-Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance. Much has been said in the past few months about the Cold War coming back. The fact is that the Cold War is almost back already. Proof of that is that Russia's opinion on key issues, be it global or regional security, is ignored every now and then. So much so that Washington's actions often look like mockery. Russia has seen better days but it can still make up for what has been lost. Nobody is suggesting that we should sever all ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan, but we should respond adequately to any action which infringes on our interests."

TURKEY: "The Iranian Revolution Is In Search Of Direction"

Sami Kohen wrote in mass-appeal Milliyet (2/2): "Iran is at a turning point after the revolution 20 years ago. The revolution now makes people feel they should structure its goals. The movement led by Khatami aims to provide a more humanitarian and pragmatic basis for the revolution. It comes as no surprise that this movement enjoys support from women, the youth, and intellectuals as well.... Of course, the opposition to this movement is still very strong and influential.... In sum, 20 years later, the Iranian revolution is at the stage of redefining its direction."

EAST ASIA

INDONESIA: "With All The Challenges, Iran Moves Toward Openness"

Leading independent Kompas noted (2/3): "February 1 marked the 20th anniversary of the Ayatollah Khomeini-led Islamic revolution in Iran.... What Western countries and Iran's Arab neighbors hope for is a more transparent Iran with a greater emphasis on economic development and less on aggression. In light of the current political situation, such an expectation may come true if reformist leaders such as President Khatami can withstand the conservative challenge."

For more information, please contact:

U.S. Information Agency

Office of Public Liaison

Telephone: (202) 619-4355

2/4/99

# # #