DATE=2/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-IRAN (S)
NUMBER=2-259485
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the wake of the victory of reform
candidates in Iran's parliamentary elections, the
Clinton administration is renewing its call for
dialogue with Tehran to try to end the two-decades of
estrangement. Correspondent David Gollust has a
report from the White House.
TEXT: Clinton spokesman Joe Lockhart says the voting
indicates there may be - some change in the offing -
in Iran's approach to the United States. And he is
repeating the administration call for, what he terms -
a constructive and authoritative dialogue with Tehran
In a cautious response, Mr. Lockhart said it was only
the first phase of the electoral process. He said the
administration is waiting to see - what comes of it -
in terms of the Iranian government's willingness to
address matters of U-S concern. Those include, he
said, Iran's alleged support for Middle East
terrorism, its opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace
process, and efforts to acquire weapons of mass
destruction.
Mr. Lockhart was non-committal about U-S gestures
toward the Iranian reform movement. But the State
Department said Tuesday appropriate responses were
being considered.
The administration has made several overtures toward
Iran since the election of the relative-moderate
Mohamed Khatemi as president three-years ago - but
with only modest results, including some student and
sports exchanges. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/ENE/RAE
23-Feb-2000 11:31 AM EDT (23-Feb-2000 1631 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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