STEPAN SAFARIAN IS SURE THAT ARMENIA COULD BECOME MEDIATORBETWEEN U.S. AND IRAN

Noyan Tapan
Jun 19 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Stepan Safarian, Director on Studies
of Armenian Center for National and International Studies, said
in his interview to a Noyan Tapan correspondent: "The U.S. made
sure that will be impossible to solve problems connected to Iran
through intimidation and threats, as the Iranian public becomes more
consolidated when threatened."

In his opinion, today Washington is officially making sure that
the vanity of threats addressed to Iran is striving for a change
in its tactics. In particular, there is a search for corresponding
mediators. "Armenia could play the role of such a mediator between the
U.S. and Iran. Taking into consideration its excellent and friendly
relations with both countries, Armenia has great possibilities to
render mediator services," S. Safarian stated.

He also mentioned that influential Armenian communities living both
in the U.S. and in Iran can play a great role in reduction of tension
created around Iran.

It should be mentioned that the Charge d’Affaires of the U.S., Anthony
Godfrey, has stated lately that the U.S. is anxious about development
of relations between Armenia and Iran and the Armenian government is
aware of it. He said that the U.S. calls the Armenian government to
help Washington and the international community to persuade Iran to
fulfil the commitments proposed by it to stop nuclear programs. At
the same time, A. Godfrey stated that the U.S. highly evaluates
Armenian-Iranian energy cooperation, which is clearly distinguished.