Come Together
“We should find ways through which we can bring countries to work together for the benefit of all...It is not a good idea to be in a state of war. We ought to try and do our utmost to create different conditions...This constant drum beat of conflict is what strikes me, which is not helpful and not useful.” -Adm. William Fallon, head of U. S. Central Command, talking about Iran.
The last time we tried to improve relation with Tehran was in the spring of 1997, when reform was in the air. Young people and the middle class had spoken. Moderate Mohammed Khatami had just been elected Iran’s new president.
The hard line mullahs still held ultimate power, but Khatami had a mandate and wanted a new beginning for Iran, which included better relations with the west. He praised America, which as an unprecedented olive branch.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright recognized Khatami was for real, and responded, “We fully respect Iran’s sovereignty. We understand and respect its serious desire to maintain its independence.”
Severe sanctions had been imposed on Iran, two decades earlier when American diplomats were held for 444 days. The Clinton regime made a series of gestures. Visa restrictions were relaxed, there were visits from Iranian scholars
and American wrestlers went to Iran. We began to ease some of the sanctions in terms of some food stuffs and medicines that the Iranians could buy.
Iran’s distrust of our government is deep-seated, and they point to America’s intervention in 1953, when out CIA installed the Shah to power, bringing twenty-five years of tyranny and repression upon the Iranian people. They remember American support of Saddam Hussein when he was gassing Iranians.
In 2006, former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami argued that our invasion of Iraq has led more young people to join terrorist groups. Our policies are bin Laden’s only indispensable ally.
The last time we tried to improve relation with Tehran was in the spring of 1997, when reform was in the air. Young people and the middle class had spoken. Moderate Mohammed Khatami had just been elected Iran’s new president.
The hard line mullahs still held ultimate power, but Khatami had a mandate and wanted a new beginning for Iran, which included better relations with the west. He praised America, which as an unprecedented olive branch.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright recognized Khatami was for real, and responded, “We fully respect Iran’s sovereignty. We understand and respect its serious desire to maintain its independence.”
Severe sanctions had been imposed on Iran, two decades earlier when American diplomats were held for 444 days. The Clinton regime made a series of gestures. Visa restrictions were relaxed, there were visits from Iranian scholars
and American wrestlers went to Iran. We began to ease some of the sanctions in terms of some food stuffs and medicines that the Iranians could buy.
Iran’s distrust of our government is deep-seated, and they point to America’s intervention in 1953, when out CIA installed the Shah to power, bringing twenty-five years of tyranny and repression upon the Iranian people. They remember American support of Saddam Hussein when he was gassing Iranians.
In 2006, former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami argued that our invasion of Iraq has led more young people to join terrorist groups. Our policies are bin Laden’s only indispensable ally.
posted by Jim O'Leary | 4:20 AM
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