INTERVIEW The Americans need to apologize Omid Memarian interviews Dr Kazem Jalali, Iranian member of
parliament
BERKELEY, California - Dr Kazem Jalali, an influential conservative member of
Iran's parliament, the Majlis, and rapporteur of the National Security and
Foreign Policy Commission, sees possibilities for a thaw with Washington, but
believes that many Arab states in the Gulf "see their interests in keeping the
current state of continual conflict among the West, the US and the Islamic
Republic of Iran”.
In recent years, Tehran has experienced growing tensions with its Arab
neighbors, particularly over the development of its nuclear program. The latest
diplomatic crisis came after former Majlis
speaker Ali Akbar Nateq Nori referred in a speech to Bahrain as a former
province of Iran. His remarks caused a firestorm of angry protests from
numerous Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and prompted
Morocco to sever relations with Iran -
although Bahrain itself has remained friendly.
Rabat also accused Iran of seeking to spread Shi'ite Islam in the Sunni
kingdom, an accusation Tehran strongly denies.
Jalali spoke with Inter Press Service by telephone about the roots of
Persian-Arab tensions, how Iran's neighbors view the prospect of improved
Iran-US relations, the creation of an anti-Iran front among Arab countries in
the Persian Gulf and the balance of power in the region.
Inter Press Service: Do you think it's significant that Morocco's
decision to sever diplomatic ties with Iran came after the Gaza invasion
earlier this year?
Kazem Jalali: Some Arab countries were embarrassed about their
reaction vis-a-vis the Gaza conflict, and faced criticism among the general
public. The Iran-Bahrain issue helped those countries to divert public
attention from the main issue of the Middle East [Israel-Palestine].
Some Arab countries have attempted to replace Gaza, an Arab issue, with an
Arab-Iranian issue. They even tried to portray this as a new issue, a
Shi'ite-Sunni one. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the
Islamic Republic of Iran [IRI] has been propagating the Shi'ite faith in their
country. This is not true. Religious propaganda in other countries is not among
IRI's foreign policies.
IPS: Over the past two years, Tehran has seen the development of
an anti-Iranian front in the region. Why?
KJ: Iran's main policy is to develop relations with her
neighbors. Our efforts have been concentrated on addressing our challenges with
them. But it seems that some of the Arab countries are concerned about the
outcome of Iran-US relations. They foresee an improvement of relations between
Iran and the US and they are not pleased about this. They are doing their best
to avoid this.
They also believe that there are developments taking shape within the Islamic
world, which could present their leadership with serious challenges. Zionists
also have a role in this, attempting to emphasize the conflicts within the
Islamic and Arab world.
IPS: What would Iran do to change the power balance in the
region?
KJ: It is not prudent to rush. This issue will have to develop
wisely. Cooperation with the part of the Arab world that is closer to Iran
should be intensified, asking for their help to solve the other issues. It is
not in the Arab and Islamic world's best interests to enter into a family feud
with Iran. We must be united with other Islamic countries, so that we may focus
on the bigger challenges facing the Islamic world.
IPS: But it seems some of these countries don't view this as an
issue among Islamic countries. Rather, they view it as an Arab-Iranian issue,
and not letting Iran in as a serious player.
KJ: There are extremist views among the Arab world, which
perceive Iran as an opponent. We see this view in the Arab media and among some
governments. This is not a realistic view. The Arab world should know this,
too.
IPS: IPS: How do you think Iran's Arab neighbors view Iran-US
relations?
KJ: Arab countries are not pleased with the prospect of
[improved] Iran-US relations, and whenever they think this relationship might
be re-established, they react negatively. These reactions manifest in their
talks with the US or in creating an Iran “fear factor” in the region,
emphasizing regional disputes and trying to create a distorted image of Iran.
They see their interests in keeping the current state of continual conflict
among the West, the US, and the Islamic Republic.
IPS: What solutions is Iran pursuing to strengthen ties with Arab
countries in the region? Could improved Iran-US relations change the situation?
KJ: It would be simplistic to think that [better] Iran-US
relations will solve Iran's conflicts with Arabs. [And] the conflicts between
Iran and the US are so deep and complex, they can't be solved easily. Iranian
leaders must not fall prey to the same simplistic approach as Arab leaders.
IPS: Many analysts assert that the new US cabinet has offered an
olive branch to Iran, but that Tehran has not yet reached a decision to change
its relations with the US What do you think?
KJ: I don't believe the US has shown any olive branch to Iran.
Would the appointment of Dennis Ross [lead negotiator on Israeli-Palestinian
issues for presidents George H W Bush and Bill Clinton] as special advisor on
Iran be considered an olive branch? Some members in the US government say some
positive things, but have those words turned into policies? Have they reached
an agreement to implement the suggestions Mr Lee Hamilton made in The
Washington Post? Including apologizing to Iranian people for what happened
between 1953 and 1979? [When a Central Intelligence Agency-backed coup
overthrew the elected government of prime minister Mohammad Mosaddeq and
installed the shah.]
IPS: What would you see as a first step by the US?
KJ: Americans will have to apologize for their past behavior.
They will also have to observe the Algerian Convention resolutions in which
they committed not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs. They will also have
to abide by international laws.
For example, regarding Iran's nuclear issue, everyone knows the Islamic
Republic of Iran has not violated any regulations, and Mr [Mohamad] Elbaradei's
reports [to the International Atomic Energy Agency] testify to this. They will
have to admit to this and let the Islamic Republic of Iran pursue its peaceful
nuclear activities under the supervision of the IAEA.
I believe Mr [Barack] Obama and Mrs [Hillary] Clinton will have to take
practical steps. These steps can slowly remove the lack of trust so that other
cooperation can ensue.
IPS: Some radical fronts in Iran say that there are
irreconcilable conflicts with the US and this is why Iran will never sit at the
negotiating table. As a conservative member of parliament, do you agree with
this analysis?
KJ: Our conflicts are not irreconcilable conflicts that will
never be solved. Conflicts are reconcilable. We don't agree with a unilateral
policy. Mr Obama said in his inaugural speech that 60 years ago, as an African
American man, his father could not eat at a restaurant in the US but his son is
now the president of the United States of America.
He should know that US policies vis-a-vis other countries and Iran have been
like the policies against African Americans in the US.
Head
Office: Unit B, 16/F, Li Dong Building, No. 9 Li Yuen Street East,
Central, Hong Kong Thailand Bureau:
11/13 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand 77110
although Bahrain itself has remained friendly.
