AZG Armenian Daily #225, 06/12/2007
National Interests
USA-IRAN RELATIONS AND ARMENIA’S POLITICAL INTERESTS
According to the report of the US intelligence, the Islamic Republic
of Iran had stopped its nuclear program already in 2003. This
statement caused the Democrat majority of the Congress to demand the
White House to revise its policy and relationships with Iran.
Although it is certain that Bush’s government shall hardly change its
policy on Iran, the discovery of the American intelligence provides an
opportunity of improvement in USA-Iran relations. According to US mass
media, this is the first time the intelligence publishes an impartial
report, without fitting it to the policy of the White House. Not such
a long time ago, a falsified report of the US intelligence made
possible the Congress’ consent for the invasion to Iraq. Only later it
came out that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed no chemical weapon,
and the government’s allegations were merely means of gaining the
support of the society and the Congressmen. This time the intelligence
appeared to be as impartial as possible, although it concluded that
Iran in any case remains a dangerous state.
We decided to refer to this report because of the crucial importance
of both Iran and the United States in the foreign policy of the
Republic of Armenia. Improvement of relations between the USA and
Iran is among Armenia’s vital interests. Unfortunately, it is clear
that serious positive shifts in USA-Iran issues are impossible until
the Neo-Conservator wing of the Republican Party holds the power in
the United States. On the contrary, the Democrat Party advocated
developing peace dialogue with the Middle Easter states, which will
contribute not only the consolidation of the USA’s authority in the
region, but also the improvement of USA-Iran and USA-Syria relations.
To be reminded, US Congress Representatives Chamber Speaker Nancy
Pelosi, during her last visit to Middle East, had a meeting with
President of Syria Bashar Asad. This unprecedented action of
Ms. Pelosi caused the irritation of the White House authorities and at
the same time displayed the serious disagreement of the Democrats with
the policy of George Bush.
The current policy of the White House not only caused reduction of US
influence in Middle East, but also showed the dependence of the White
House on some states. For example, the issue of H. Res. 106 revealed
the vulnerability of the world’s number one super-state and its
dependence on the whimsicalities of Ankara. This situation is resulted
from America’s shortsighted policy on Iran and Syria.
Positive shifts are possible only in case a political change in the
United States and the victory of the Democrats in the presidential
elections, November 2008. Therefore, Armenian lobbying organizations
should do everything possible to support the Democrat candidate, as
normalization of the USA relations with Iran and Syria shall not only
stabilize the political situation in our region, but also contribute
the consolidation of Armenia’s positions.
By A. Manvelian, translated by A.M.