By Kim Chipman
March 20 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama urged Iranian leaders to show the countrys true greatness by opting for peace over terror or arms and forge new diplomatic ties with the U.S. and the world.
We have serious differences that have grown over time, Obama told Irans leaders in a video message released by the administration today. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community.
Obama, who campaigned on a pledge to seek engagement with U.S. foes, said the effort to re-establish relations wont be advanced by threats.
The U.S. and Iran are entangled in a dispute over the Persian Gulf nations nuclear program, which the U.S. contends is a cover for developing weapons. Iran denies that the program has military aims, saying its trying to produce more electricity for a growing population.
The U.S. broke diplomatic ties with Iran almost three decades ago after Iranian militants held 52 Americans hostage in Tehran for 444 days.
We welcome the wish of the president of the United States to put away the past differences, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a top adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, told Agence France-Presse. But the way to do that is not by Iran forgetting the previous hostile and aggressive attitude of the United States.
Past Mistakes
He said the U.S. had to recognize past mistakes and take action. If Obama shows willingness to take action, the Iranian government will not show its back to him. In the past, Iranian officials have urged the U.S. to say it was a mistake to have backed a 1953 coup aimed at ensuring Western access to oil supplies.
Obama timed his message to coincide with the ancient festival of Nowruz, the new year holiday that originated in Iran and has spread to other regions of the world. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect, he said.
On the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek, Obama said. Its a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce and greater security and greater peace.
Iraq Strategy
Iran also has an impact on U.S. strategy in Iraq. The American military accuses Iran of arming militants in Iraq, which has been struggling to overcome sectarian and insurgent violence following the U.S.-led invasion of the country to oust President Saddam Hussein in 2003. U.S. fighter jets shot down an Iranian drone flying over Iraq Feb. 25, the Defense Department said.
The video is being distributed to news outlets in the region in English with Farsi subtitles and available for broadcast at about 8 a.m. in Iran, according to material the Obama administration provided with a text. It was billed as an unconventional attempt to get the attention of Iranians and their leaders.
In it, Obama praised Irans great and celebrated culture.
We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world, Obama said.
The U.S. president said he knows it will be difficult to move beyond the conflicts.
There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences, Obama said.
Irans Wishes
But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence, he said, referring to the medieval Persian poet.
Irans Ahmadinejad said last month that his country is waiting for the U.S. to show signs of real change under the Obama administration, calling it a necessity for improving relations between the two countries.
Ahmadinejad, who is critical of the U.S. for what he calls imperialistic policies and for seeking to destabilize Irans cleric-led regime, said his government is ready for negotiations based on mutual respect.
Obama repeatedly has said he is prepared to engage in talks with Iranian officials to try to solve differences, in particular over Irans nuclear activities. Iran is beyond the issue of suspension of uranium enrichment activities, Ahmadinejad said in a Feb. 17 interview with Iranian state television.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said at a conference last month in Paris that Iran is more than a year away from being able to make a nuclear weapon, leaving time for diplomacy.
0bama Tells Iran U.S. Seeks ?Constructive? Relations (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
March 20 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama urged Iranian leaders to show the countrys true greatness by opting for peace over terror or arms and forge new diplomatic ties with the U.S. and the world.
We have serious differences that have grown over time, Obama told Irans leaders in a video message released by the administration today. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community.
Obama, who campaigned on a pledge to seek engagement with U.S. foes, said the effort to re-establish relations wont be advanced by threats.
The U.S. and Iran are entangled in a dispute over the Persian Gulf nations nuclear program, which the U.S. contends is a cover for developing weapons. Iran denies that the program has military aims, saying its trying to produce more electricity for a growing population.
The U.S. broke diplomatic ties with Iran almost three decades ago after Iranian militants held 52 Americans hostage in Tehran for 444 days.
We welcome the wish of the president of the United States to put away the past differences, Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a top adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, told Agence France-Presse. But the way to do that is not by Iran forgetting the previous hostile and aggressive attitude of the United States.
Past Mistakes
He said the U.S. had to recognize past mistakes and take action. If Obama shows willingness to take action, the Iranian government will not show its back to him. In the past, Iranian officials have urged the U.S. to say it was a mistake to have backed a 1953 coup aimed at ensuring Western access to oil supplies.
Obama timed his message to coincide with the ancient festival of Nowruz, the new year holiday that originated in Iran and has spread to other regions of the world. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect, he said.
On the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek, Obama said. Its a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce and greater security and greater peace.
Iraq Strategy
Iran also has an impact on U.S. strategy in Iraq. The American military accuses Iran of arming militants in Iraq, which has been struggling to overcome sectarian and insurgent violence following the U.S.-led invasion of the country to oust President Saddam Hussein in 2003. U.S. fighter jets shot down an Iranian drone flying over Iraq Feb. 25, the Defense Department said.
The video is being distributed to news outlets in the region in English with Farsi subtitles and available for broadcast at about 8 a.m. in Iran, according to material the Obama administration provided with a text. It was billed as an unconventional attempt to get the attention of Iranians and their leaders.
In it, Obama praised Irans great and celebrated culture.
We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world, Obama said.
The U.S. president said he knows it will be difficult to move beyond the conflicts.
There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences, Obama said.
Irans Wishes
But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence, he said, referring to the medieval Persian poet.
Irans Ahmadinejad said last month that his country is waiting for the U.S. to show signs of real change under the Obama administration, calling it a necessity for improving relations between the two countries.
Ahmadinejad, who is critical of the U.S. for what he calls imperialistic policies and for seeking to destabilize Irans cleric-led regime, said his government is ready for negotiations based on mutual respect.
Obama repeatedly has said he is prepared to engage in talks with Iranian officials to try to solve differences, in particular over Irans nuclear activities. Iran is beyond the issue of suspension of uranium enrichment activities, Ahmadinejad said in a Feb. 17 interview with Iranian state television.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said at a conference last month in Paris that Iran is more than a year away from being able to make a nuclear weapon, leaving time for diplomacy.
0bama Tells Iran U.S. Seeks ?Constructive? Relations (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
