Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:06:08 GMT
 President Barack Obama offered "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year. His remarks have raised the possibility of Washington-Tehran rapprochement. |
"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," President Obama said in a video message.
Vowing to pursue "constructive ties" with Tehran, Obama said rapprochement would not be "advanced by threats".
"We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect," he expounded.
His remarks, a significant departure from the tone of the previous administration, were well-received around the globe.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he hoped the Obama initiative would "open a new chapter in relations with Iran."
France and Germany both welcomed the offer of an olive branch.
"We have been waiting for years for the Americans to re-engage in the Iranian issue," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the message "reflects exactly the message the Europeans have been trying to send to Iran."
The EU three -- Britain, France and Germany -- along with Solana have been unsuccessfully leading efforts to resolve the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear program.
Russia also welcomed Obama's decision to renew dialogue with Tehran.
"The start of substantive dialogue will facilitate the revival of trust in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Ryabkov added that Russia still has seen no sign of a "switch" in Iran's nuclear intentions.
Tehran says the only objective of its program is to make use of the civilian applications of nuclear technology. The US, Israel and European states, however, accuse the country of having military intentions in its pursuit.
Russia, which has helped Iran build its first nuclear power plant during the past decade, says Iran's nuclear actions have been peaceful.
Difficulties have arisen in the nuclear dispute since the former Bush administration refused to negotiate with the Iranian government.
Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic ties for almost three decades. The two states ended all relations in the aftermath of the 1980 US embassy takeover in Tehran.
According to the White House, President Obama wanted to "send a special message to the people and government of Iran on Nowruz, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades."
Although Iranian leaders are yet to respond to the message, an aide to President Ahmadinejad welcomed "the wish of the president of the United States to put away the past differences".
"If Mr. Obama takes concrete action and makes fundamental changes in US foreign policy towards other nations, including Iran, the Iranian government and people won't turn their back on him," Ali-Akbar Javanfekr told Press TV.
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