Welcoming Relations with United States, More than Before
Houshang Amirahamdi, president of the Iranian-American Council, in an interview conducted with “Rooz” from his hotel in Tehran discussed the Ahmadinejad Administration’s willingness to normalize relations with America. Below is the text of this interview.
Rooz ®: In the past few days a suggestion to open an American interest section in Tehran was being discussed. Will the Iranian government take this suggestion seriously?
Houshang Amirahmadi (HA): I think that if this suggestion is presented formally Tehran would seriously consider and very likely accept it, possibly putting condition or conditions for America. But it depends how the suggestion is presented. If America honestly wants to have an office in Iran, and this is not just a propaganda ploy, and is realistic in light of problems that the Iranian government has for accepting such a proposal, it can be successful. The American government cannot say I will open an office so that I can contact the opposition; rather, it must be an office that coordinates issues between the two countries with the government. Rather than talking about the people they must talk about the government. The first time this issue was brought up I felt that American statesmen are moving in the wrong direction. They were saying we are going to Iran to increase our contact with the public. It is very obvious that the Iranian government will say we do not want you to talk to the public, but if you want to talk to us, you are welcome.
R: Why should the Iranian officials accept this proposal?
HA: The public seriously wants relations to normalize. Next to the Iranian government, the people want it to happen. The government also has reached the conclusion that this can be a bright start to solving problems. The Iranian government has had this guilt that Iran has had a massive interest section in America but America has not had such an opportunity in Iran. Now I think the government of Mr. Ahmadinejad thinks about this issue more than previous administrations. Ahmadinejad is more willing than his predecessors to make progress in normalizing relations between Iran and America. Even Ahmadinejad’s critics in Iran admit that he has worked well on the issue of relations with America.
R: In your recent trip to Iran, what level of Iranian officials did you meet? Ministers? The president?
HA: Unfortunately, I am not in a position to disclose this information. I do not want to say something to cause trouble for Mr. Ahmadinejad’s administration. There are forces that are opposed to my presence in Iran and are willing to raise a raucous. In these few days they have made lots of noise and written several articles about me. But my contacts are at a desirable level.
R: When you return to the United States, what message will you be carrying for American officials?
HA: I will definitely be carrying a message. I will have things to say to the Americans. Last time when I came to Tehran in February I also had things to say to both Tehran when I arrived and to Washington when I returned. I was very successful in doing so as well. I do not want to call it carrying messages though.
R: Were you able to meet with American officials following your last visit to Tehran to inform them of the point of view o Iranian officials?
HA: I certainly did. I had exhaustive meetings at the American State Department, in the Senate and the Congress as well.
R: what was the reaction of American officials to your viewpoints?
HA: I believe that the Iranian government is getting prepared for this [relations with U.S.]. I try to make policies more transparent and clarify ambiguities where they are present, and have been very successful in doing that.
R: Can you cite an example of meeting with someone to clarify these ambiguities?
HA: Prior to coming [here] I had a meeting with Shaul Mofaz, who is deputy Prime Minister of Israel. I tried to explain to him what is happening in Iran with respect to relations with Israel. I tried to explain Iran’s policies to him outside the layers of propaganda and rhetoric and discuss with him what the bottom line and main point of the other side is. Unfortunately, many unnecessary layers and complications have covered truth in Iran’s relations with both the United States and Israel.
R: In your opinion, would a positive development take place in Iran’s relations with the United States in the coming months?
HA: It depends on the United States. With respect to opening an interest section [in Tehran], the ball is in America’s court. If America can make a realistic proposal to Iran that Iran can accept within its own limitations this possibility is present.