Something’s changed: Bush to Iran

Having closely followed the US-Iran saga for well over 20 years, I’ve seen a lot of false starts and missed opportunities to improve relations. Yet despite having had my hopes burned repeatedly in the past, I have a working hunch that something potentially quite interesting is happening, mostly behind the scenes, between Iran and the United States. On the surface, the rhetoric has changed significantly. From the American side, consider President Bush’s important, but almost ignored speech on Monday (June 19th) before the graduating class at the Merchant Marine Academy. Iran was a primary focus of the speech, comprising nine paragraphs which I reproduce, with running comment below:

“I’ve discussed the problem of the Iranian regime extensively with leaders in Europe, particularly in Great Britain and Germany and France. I’ve also consulted closely with the Presidents of Russia and China. We’ve all agreed on a unified approach to solve this problem diplomatically. The United States has offered to come to the table with our partners and meet with Iran’s representatives — as soon as the Iranian regime fully and verifiably suspends its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities. (Applause.) Iran’s leaders have a clear choice. We hope they will accept our offer and voluntarily suspend these activities, so we can work out an agreement that will bring Iran real benefits. If Iran’s leaders reject our offer, it will result in action before the Security Council, further isolation from the world, and progressively stronger political and economic sanctions.”

To some, this might seem like more of the same; either do as we say, or face the Security Council and sanctions. Then too there’s the precondition that Iran suspend enrichment first, then the US will join the talks. Yet there’s also an emphasis on “real benefits” for Iran should an agreement be worked out.

“I’ve a message for the Iranian regime: America and our partners are united. We have presented a reasonable offer. Iran’s leaders should see our proposal for what it is — an historic opportunity to set their country on a better course. If Iran’s leaders want peace and prosperity and a more hopeful future for their people, they should accept our offer, abandon any ambitions to obtain nuclear weapons, and come into compliance with their international obligations.”

Never mind the flourish about America and its partners being “united.” That might be news to China and Russia. And we could also quibble about just what “international obligations” Iran has run afoul of…
Yet I’m more impressed by the focus on the potential possibilities afoot here. Instead of Secretary of State Rice’s recent insistance that the US is not offering Iran a “grand bargain,” we have her boss, the President, speaking of an “historic opportunity.” Sounds grand to me.

“I’ve a message for the Iranian people: The United States respects you and your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. When Cyrus the Great led the Iranian people more than 2,500 years ago, he delivered one of the world’s first declarations of individual rights, including the right to worship God in freedom. Through the centuries, Iranians have achieved distinction in medicine and science and poetry and philosophy, and countless other fields.”

This is especially new. Unlike many of its neighbors, Iran isn’t a recent artificial geographic creation. Iranians of all stripes are intensely proud of their country’s two and a half millennia of continuous cultural, if not political, existence. Some may suspect the reference to Cyrus was a paean planted by neocons to support Iranian monarchists. Yet Cyrus belongs to all Iranians. Perhaps it would be too much to expect the President to mention Iranian contributions to the world’s great religious traditions – including Islam.
But hey, any respectful mention of Iranian history and culture by the American President is sure to go down better inside Iran than petulant references to Iran as a member of an “axis of evil” or as the presumed “totalitarian” source of all the world’s terrorism or of Iraq’s troubles.

“In the 21st century, the people of Iran, especially the talented and educated youth, are among the world’s leaders in science and technology. Iranians have a large presence on the Internet, and a desire to make even greater progress, including the development of civilian nuclear energy. This is a legitimate desire. We believe the Iranian people should enjoy the benefits of a truly peaceful program to use nuclear reactors to generate electric power. So America supports the Iranian people’s rights to develop nuclear energy peacefully, with proper international safeguards.”

More difference: Referring to nuclear energy for Iran as “a legitimate desire” will cause some neoconservatives fits. It appears then that the Bush Administration has dropped the “knowing” claim that the purpose of any nuclear energy program for carbon rich Iran must be for nuclear weapons. Imagine too that if Iran could supply more of its domestic energy needs from nuclear sources, then how much more Iranian oil and gas will be available to slake the growing international thirst for it.

“The people of Iran, like people everywhere, also want and deserve an opportunity to determine their own future, an economy that rewards their intelligence and talents, and a society that allows them to pursue their dreams. I believe Iranians would thrive if they were given more opportunities to travel and study abroad, and do business with the rest of the world. Here in the United States, Iranian Americans have used their freedom to advance in society and make tremendous contributions in areas from business to medicine, to academics.”

Wow – what a concept for this Administration! To allow people from somewhere else to determine their own future? Wonder if that extends to picking their own government, even it doesn’t always say nice things about America or Israel?
Yet rather than being too churlish, I heartily salute the concept of increasing people-to-people ties between our two countries. Americans still viewing Iran through the diplomatic hostage crisis may be startled that there remains a vast untapped reservoir of good will from the Iranian people towards most things American – despite their ongoing suspicions of the American government. I experienced such positive potential first hand in my three journeys inside Iran, and this “good will” has never been tapped as part of the solution.

“To help provide more opportunities for the people of Iran, we will look for new ways to increase contact between Americans and Iranians, especially in education and culture, sports and tourism. We’ll provide more than $75 million this year to promote openness and freedom for the Iranian people. These funds will allow us to expand and improve radio and television broadcasts to the people of Iran. These funds will support Iranian human rights advocates and civil society organizations. And these funds will promote student and faculty exchanges, so we can build bridges of understanding between our people.”

So whatever happened to regime change? I can readily imagine how Michael Ledeen and his “faster please” neocon advocates will shrilly react to such “soft” words. What, no funds for specific Iranian opposition groups? The last thing they have in mind is UNESCO-style “peace through understanding.” They instead prefer unflinching hostility, where the U.S. does nothing that might “legitimize” the present Iranian regime. Maybe, just maybe, the Bush Administration has finally realized that any US funds for Iranian opposition groups destroys their standing – their internal legitimacy – among an Iranian people who indeed remain sensitive to the “hidden hands” of foreign meddling in their affairs.

“Americans believe the future of Iran will be decided by the people of Iran — and we believe that future can be one of progress and prosperity and achievement. We look forward to the day when our nations are friends, and when the people of Iran enjoy the full fruits of liberty, and play a leading role to establish peace in our world.” (Applause.)

Wow again. “Americans believe Iran’s future is to be decided by the Iranian people”…! Nice concept; does he mean it? Can he hold off neocon pressures to push for American manipulated regime change from Tehrangeles (e.g. L.A.)?
I am left wondering if our current President had any input from his earthly father in putting together this speech. After all, it was President George H.W. Bush in his 1989 inaugural address who said, in relations with Iran, “Goodwill begets goodwill.” The ideal has not yet been seriously tried. No better time than the present.