DATE=6/22/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=IRAN / FOREIGN RELATIONS
NUMBER=5-46550
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT=
INTRO: Iran this week gained entry into a group of
developing nations -- known as the G-15 -- bolstering
its links to other markets. Iranian President Mohammad
Khatami is in China to forge closer ties with an ally,
and he travels to Berlin next month in an effort to
improve ties with Germany. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie
Kassman in Cairo takes a closer look at Iran's push to
solidify its foothold in the world's political arena.
TEXT: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak phoned Iran's
president after the Cairo summit of the group of
developing nations voted to expand and add Iran to its
membership.
That brief phone conversation marked the first direct
high-level contact between the two nations in 21 years.
Iran's Islamic leadership severed relations in 1979
after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel.
Relations were further strained when Egypt gave final
refuge to the Shah of Iran after he was ousted in the
Islamic Revolution.
Professor Bahman Baktiari of the American University in
Cairo says the G-15's gesture toward Iran has provided
a diplomatic opening for efforts to normalize bilateral
relations. A steady increase in trade and investment
between the two countries has also helped.
/// BAKTIARI ACT ONE ///
Iran's admission in the G-15 probably is part of
this whole interdependence in economic relations
between Egypt and Iran that has been moving
along. And, they probably felt more comfortable
in allowing Iran through this window rather than
any kind of political dialogue.
/// END ACT //
The prospect of better ties with Egypt follows
President Mohamad Khatami's moves to repair relations
with other Arab neighbors.
Ali Reza Nourizadeh of the London-based Center for Iran
and Arab Studies also points out that Egypt's peace
with Israel provokes a less angry response among a new
generation of Iranian political activists.
/// NOURIZADEH ACT ONE ///
The idea of peace is getting accepted in Iran one
way or the other. And, Khatami always insisted
that Iran accept the peace although they have
their own reservations toward the Oslo treaty.
/// END ACT ///
President Khatami's moves to end Iran's image as a
pariah state in the world arena coincides with his
reform efforts at home. Those efforts have met with
opposition from conservative factions still opposed to
liberalizing Iran's social and political policies.
But analysts like Mr. Nourizadeh say Mr. Khatami's
position has been strengthened by the reformist victory
in recent parliamentary elections.
/// NOURIZADEH ACT TWO ///
In the past, especially when Iran decided to
normalize relations with Britain, with France,
and even when Khatami was in France, there was
criticism in the parliament. But now Khatami can
pursue his policy without being worried that at
home there would be voices against his policy
/// END ACT ///
President Khatami's visit next month to Germany also
aims to solidify relations with European Union trade
partners. Relations had soured after Germany accused
the Islamic leadership of organizing terrorist attacks
against Iranian dissidents on German soil.
Analysts also see better Iranian ties with Germany as
another step along the delicate path toward normalizing
relations with the United States too. But Professor
Baktiari in Cairo says that will take much longer to
accomplish.
/// BAKTIARI ACT TWO ///
It is a very sensitive issue inside Iran and the
conservatives will not back down.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Baktiari does not see a diplomatic breakthrough
with the United States coming any time soon but does
expect that increasing unofficial contacts with
Washington will help smooth the way. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/JWH/KL
23-Jun-2000 07:29 AM EDT (23-Jun-2000 1129 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
