Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday
expressed the country's willingness to discuss suspension of
nuclear enrichment activities with the Europeans, reflecting an
obvious try to soften Iran's hardline stance on the disputed
issue.
"Iran is willing to discuss the suspension of our nuclear
activities with the European states," Mottaki told reporters after
meeting with his visiting Malian counterpart Mokhtar Ouan.
"Even it is not logical for them to demand a suspension of it,
we can still discuss it," the foreign minister added.
Mottaki's remarks are not surprise since Iran's top officials
had reiterated that the country would like to discuss all the
qualms of international community on the country's nuclear
issue.
But he was one of the few high-ranking officials in Iran who
were trying to use gentle tongue to ease the tensions between Iran
and the West since the UN Security Council on July 31 adopted a
resolution urging Iran to suspend uranium enrichment work by Aug.
31 or face the prospect of sanctions.
The minister's words on the disputed issue is another try for
the country to avoid further criticism and isolation from the
international community.
According to some observers, first, the minister's comment
indicated a "two-sided method" of the Iranian government when
dealing with the sensitive nuclear dispute.
Since the resolution was passed, Iran's top officials have
expressed their indignation over the UN demand, warning the United
Nations against taking acrimonious measures to force Iran to
comply.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that his country
would not accept the resolution, saying "Iranian people do not give
in to language of force."
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel also warned
that Iran may quit the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA).
In addition, Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani has said
Iran would continue its nuclear program regardless of the UN
resolution.
Such flinty languages may have two impacts. On the one hand, the
Iranian nations can be united and will feel satisfied with their
government's foreign policy, believing the president was doing his
best to protect the nation's undeniable right.
But on the other hand, such remarks increased Western countries
' distrust over the Iranian government. From the uncompromising
language they felt what they called "threat", therefore it would be
hard for them to believe that Iran's nuclear program was aimed to
generate electricity.
The Iranian government may realize that flinty words some times
are not wise, and Mottaki's gentle comments could show his country
's intention to pursue peace and prevent Iran from being isolated
by the international community.
Second, the UN Resolution 1696 demanded Iran to halt its nuclear
work by Aug. 31, the new diction in it is much more severe than the
temptations of the six-nation package presented in June, an
indication that the West was losing patience on Iran.
The leeway left to Iran is shrinking since the resolution's
deadline is imminent. As a result, Iran wanted to pull the
international community back to the negotiation table, avoiding
tough measures of possible sanction from the United Nations.
Third, the high pressure from the West on Iran has been
lightened during the battle between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah
guerillas due to the transfer of international focus, but it seems
the pressure will return as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict ended
with a ceasefire.
The Western countries and Israel accused Iran of supporting
Hezbollah through providing military personnel and fund, which has
been denied by Iran, saying it's a made-up story.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said Iran should
be involved in the process seeking to establish a truce, showing
Iran's important status as a regional power in the Mideast and its
mighty influence on the neighboring countries.
However, the war was over, which means the international
pressure will be back on Iran, so the country has to lay down the
flinty tongue for a while to avoid the coming stress.
Up to now, it seems futureless for Iran to accept the UN demand
of halting nuclear work as the issue is central in Iran's foreign
policy. The sensitive issue will not only affect the relationship
between Iran and the West, but also will decide the result of the
country's entire foreign policy.
Even more, it may determine Iran's future and fate. Iran has a
quite flexible foreign policy, and will surely pursue its national
interests by seeking dialog and negotiations.
(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2006)
