BRUSSELS, March 5 (Chinese media) -- In the Obama
administration's first specific overture to Iran, U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton said Thursday that Iran could be invited to attend a
U.S.-proposed international conference on Afghanistan if such a meeting
eventually goes forward.
Analysts consider such a move as the start of a
diplomatic outreach to Iran, but a thaw in the longstanding rivalry between the
two countries could not be imminent.
DRAMATIC
TURNAROUND
The United States hoped all of Afghanistan's
neighbors, including Iran, would attend an international conference on the
country, the White House said Thursday.
Clinton proposed in Brussels earlier in the day that
an international ministerial conference be held March 31 to contribute to
stabilizing Afghanistan and fighting the Taliban-led insurgency.
"If we move forward with such a meeting, it is
expected that Iran would be invited as a neighbor of Afghanistan," Clinton said.
"Afghanistan is something that presents a great
challenge, not just for our country, but for the rest of the world ... Obviously
we hope that all of Afghanistan's neighbors are available and that the dialogue
is constructive and moves us forward," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
"I would expect that Iran would be invited as a
neighbor and that we hope, if they decide to come, that they bring constructive
solutions and ideas in working with the international community to address the
challenges," Gibbs said.
Since the Obama administration took office, its
favorite phrases have been "engage," "listen to" and "negotiate." That's because
it is eager to show there is some departure in its diplomacy from that of the
Bush administration.
At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice
President Joe Biden, while expounding on American foreign policy, said the
United States was reviewing its approach toward Iran and is willing to establish
"a new tone."
REACT WITH CAUTION
In a dramatic shift from his predecessor Bush's
strategy, U.S. President Barrack Obama said during his first press conference
since taking office that his administration is "looking for openings" to start
face-to-face talks with Iran.
The new president said he saw the possibility of
openings with Teheran in the months ahead to seek "diplomatic overtures that
will allow us to move our policy in a new direction."
Iran, however, has reacted with caution to the olive
branch from Washington.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that
Teheran was ready for "fair talks" with the United States.
"The new U.S. administration has said it wants
changes and follow the course of dialogue ... but the changes must be
fundamental and not tactical."
Iran welcomes "true changes and is ready to hold
talks but talks in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect," Ahmadinejad said.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the
United States needs a change of strategy to pave the way for direct talks with
the country.
"We have to know what their objectives are...
Practical steps for such a dialogue between Teheran and Washington would be a
strategy change," Larijani said. "The carrot and stick policy must be dropped."
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said
Obama follows "the same crooked ways of the Bush administration and nothing
else."
The fact that senior Iranian officials have
reiterated on several occasions that the United States should make fundamental
"change" shows that Tehran is still worried whether the new administration is
repeating Bush's strategy in a different "tone," analysts said.
IRANIAN THREAT
REMAINS
The United States and other western countries have
questioned Iran's uranium enrichment program, claiming that Iran intends to
secretly develop nuclear weapons.
However, Iran insists that its nuclear program is
only for peaceful purposes and will continue its uranium enrichment activity
despite pressure from the West.
"Our eyes are wide open with regard to Iran," Clinton
said at an international conference for rebuilding the Gaza Strip, adding that
"We're under no illusions."
During her first Middle East trip as secretary of
state, Clinton assured Israeli officials that the U.S. administration is
committed to Israel's security.
Throughout the meeting, Israeli officials repeatedly
voiced concern that Iran is moving closer to nuclear weapons. That issue touches
Israel's most sensitive nerves because Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied
Israel's right of existence.
"I urge President Barack Obama and the secretary of
state that they resolutely object to a nuclear Iran. We will discuss ways in
which we can ensure this," said outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
In response to the U.S. administration's possible
dialogue with Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and
Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Clinton that the United States should set a
deadline for its diplomatic efforts with Iran.
It is difficult for the two countries to establish
mutual trust in the short term, analysts said, both sides should put their words
into actions and adopt pragmatic steps to ease tensions in bilateral relations.
U.S. hopes Iran to attend int'l conference on
Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Mar. 5 (Chinese media) -- The United States hoped all
Afghanistan's neighbors, including Iran, would attend an international
conference on Afghanistan due to be held on March 31, the White House said on
Thursday.
"Afghanistan is something that presents a great challenge,
not just for our country, but for the rest of the world ... Obviously we hope
that all of Afghanistan's neighbors are available and that the dialogue is
constructive and moves us forward," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told
reporters. Full story
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