Date: 05 Mar 2000
Time: 18:46:57
Remote Name: 24.30.137.96
03/05/2000 Agence France-Presse (Copyright 2000)
LOS ANGELES, March 5 (AFP) - US president Bill Clinton said Saturday that he hoped Iran 's new parliament would usher in a new period of "openness and freedom."
At a Democratic Party fundraiser held at the home of a prominent Iranian -American and attended by many Iranian expatriates, Clinton's extolled Iran as "one of the most wonderful places in all human history".
"I regret that so many of you had to leave your native land, one of the most wonderful places in all human history, one of the most important places culturally in human history," he said.
Reacting to last month's parliamentary elections in which reformers backing President Mohammad Khatami took the vast majority of seats, Clinton said a more liberal and democratic Iran now seemed possible.
"I hope and pray that what we've seen in three elections there means there is movement towards openness and freedom there too, and that some day all of you will be able to go home to visit.
"I have done my best to support that process in the limited way an American president can," Clinton added.
Clinton hopeful for reform in Iran — United Press International 5 March 2000, Sun Mar 5 06:25
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Clinton hopeful for reform in Iran Sunday, 5 March 2000 1:53 (ET)
Clinton hopeful for reform in Iran
LOS ANGELES, March 4 (UPI) -- At a fund-raiser attended by a number of expatriate Iranians Saturday night, President Clinton voiced hope that recent election gains by moderates will mean "there is a movement toward openness and freedom there."
Speaking at a gathering that brought in an estimated $200,000, Clinton hailed the Iranians for integrating into American society but said he hoped those displaced from their homeland might be able to return.
"I regret that so many of you had to leave your native land -- one of the most wonderful places in all of human history," Clinton said. "And I hope and pray that what we have seen in three elections now there means that there is a movement toward openness and freedom there, too, and that some day all of you will be able to go home to visit and have two homes, complete and open and free."
Since the elections, which saw moderates make significant gains over extremists opposed to better relations with the United States, the administration has been seeking new ways to make contact.
Clinton said, "I have done my best to support that process in the limited way any American president can."
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