Date: 04 Mar 2000
Time: 17:52:07
Remote Name: 24.30.137.96
The results of recent elections in Iran offer both that nation and the United States a chance at reconciliation. With reformers replacing hard-liners as the majority interest in Iran's 290-member parliament, the time is right for both countries to take steps to renew diplomatic relations and increase economic exchanges. Relations between the United States and Iran were shattered in 1979 when Islamic fundamentalists overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah and seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Iran wants the United States to end economic sanctions and free Iranian assets that were frozen after the 1979 revolution. The United States wants to talk to Iran about its support for terrorist groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, its opposition to the Middle East peace process and its nuclear program. But while Iran's newly elected reformers demonstrated their desire for more freedoms — promising to pass laws guaranteeing that the state stays out of citizens' private lives and reinforcing freedom of the press — they also are wary about engaging the United States in substantive talks. They are suspicious of the United States because of U.S. support for the Shah, which even the reformers label as one of the most repressive regimes in history. Mohammadreza Khatami, brother of President Mohammad Khatami and head of the Participation Front, a reformist organization, said that Washington has to take steps first to "break the long wall of mistrust." Even with all the misgivings about interaction with the United States, the fact that it's even being mentioned is significant. Iranian leadership seems intent on sending a message that just because the people want more freedom — ordinary Iranians have been chafing at rules instituted by hard-liners on how they should dress, what music they should listen to, etc. — does not mean Iran wants the kind of Western influence that was evident during the reign of the Shah. At a news conference to mark the victory, reformers said their movement should not be viewed in a way that implies Iran is setting aside Islamic or revolutionary principles to please the West, in particular the United States. Still, the opportunity to establish significant relations with Iran is the best it's been in the past 20 years. The United States and Iran need to take advantage of it.