New Era in the United States: Unexpected About Face in U.S. Diplomacy

Is there fresh air in Western diplomacy? President Barack Obama shook up the leaders of the world yesterday with an explicit offer of a “new beginning” in relations with Iran, a country with which the United States has maintained decades of confrontation, its highest point during the past presidency of George W. Bush.

“The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right. But it comes with real responsibilities,” said Obama in a video message without precedent, which can also be seen on YouTube, and submitted to Middle Eastern television channels to commemorate the Persian New Year.

“That place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization.”

During his campaign, the recent president had offered “to extend a hand” to Iran if its authorities were willing to “open their fists.”

Iran does not reject a presidential meeting, but reacted with much caution. “We receive in good faith the message of the American president to the Iranian people, but we consider it necessary to also take practical steps,” said Ali Akbar Javanfaker, chief assessor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who also asked the United States to recognize “its past errors,” among them economic sanctions against Tehran.

Obama’s offer seems like a 180 degree turn with respect to what had occurred with Iran. President Bush had put the Islamic republic at the head of the so called “Axis of Evil” with Iraq and North Korea. This was the hottest point in a relationship that had been tense for decades and languishes today.

In fact, the United States accuses Iran of supporting terrorist groups, like Hezbollah and Hamas, and of developing an atomic energy program for the purpose of war. Iran denies these accusations and does not permit the entrance of international inspectors. Additionally, Washington has demanded Tehran cease its threats against Israel.

This is why Obama’s about face, anticipated during his campaign, obligated him to quickly take a position yesterday with a majority of the European leaders. France and Germany, together with Great Britain, have led unfruitful efforts from the European Union to persuade Iran to renounce the enrichment of uranium and have applauded Obama’s initiative.

“I believe that President Obama’s message reflects exactly the message that Europeans have been trying to send to Iran. And I hope that it will be well used,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a summit of the European Union in Brussels. “There is a need to dialogue,” delimited the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

How will Obama’s about face crystallize? Will it be able to come about without the support of China and Russia, its allies in defense? Is this something that can work in terms of a bilateral relationship or with the seal of the United Nations as a medium? These were only some of the doubts addressed by analysts from the leading opinion centers.

Constructive bonds

Obama’s offer was manifested to the Iranian government, but in a message directed to the citizens. And it was almost like a cyber postcard spoken in English, but with subtitles in Farsi, to celebrate Nowruz, or the Persian New Year. The translation was well thought out in order for all Iranians to be able to understand Obama without the necessity of an official mediator.

“In this season of new beginnings, I would like to speak clearly to Iran’s leaders,” Obama said. “We have serious differences that have grown over time. 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,” he stated.

But that would only be the first step. The spokesman of the White House, Robert Gibbs, said that there are “many other” projects on file.