RSS

Fri, Nov 28th 2008, 06:17

henelito a. sevilla, jr.

The victory of a democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama, the first ever black American President is a breakthrow in American politics. Despite being the first black president of the United States of America does not merit him from establishing direct negotiation with Tehran Islamic government. Although, his election signal new opportunities for both states to break the 'wall of mistrust' since 1979 Islamic revolution, it is however logical that the Obama's administration should have coordinated and proper plan on how to approach Iran, in such a way that the Ruling Islamic clergies in Tehran would interpret it as positive and mutually beneficial for both countries and the entire international community.

Obama should clearly define its priorities in approaching Iran and leaving the American imperialistic interests as second priority in the future nogotiations. He must avoid imposing conditions on the Islamic government before the negotiation take place. What the Iranian government wants is I think not an aggressive and sarcastic American policy but a more friendly, refined and reliable ones which would mean a great recognition to the legitimate existence of the Islamic republic in the region. Iranians want to be recognized not as an "axis of evil" but a nation with high cultural and rich civilizational achievements.

There is no doubt that possessing nuclear power plants can alternatively transform these facilities into a nuclear bomb but it is also understood that by having this technology, Iran can simply detter any threat to its national security and continued existence.

Hence, Obama has to take into accounts the failure of previous American administrations in following Iranian case. If the United States does not want Iran to engage in Iraq and Afghanistan, then, any dream for peace and development in these countries would not be realized.

Americans should realize that Iran is a regional power and whether they like it or not it will continue to have great impact on the achievement and maintenance of peace and security in the region of the Middle East and Central Asia.

Intead of US accusations on Iran -like Iran is harboring or supporting terorism, that Iran is against peace in the Region, that Iran is possessing nuclear weapons, or that Iran violated human rights-the Obama government should try to consider Iran as a reliable and responsible partner in the region and in international community as a whole. This can only be done when the United States government will sit aside its imperialistic policies in the region and try to approach other countries not as its puppets but an equally matured partners.

I believed The Iranian ISlamic establishment has already recognized the importance of America and the rest of the West to its future survival. However, for a country like Iran (whatever trype of government it has)
with great historical acheivements and civilizational contributions to the world has also a legitimate pride to withstand against what it percieved to be imperialist and dominating external powers in the region.

Finally, Obama has to utilize all means and of course understand properly the history of the region before approaching into talk with Iran.
Afterall , issues such as oil and gas security, terrorism, future of Iraq and Afghanistan can be properly addressed when Iran is involved.