Obama's surprise video message to Iran

[VitaminC]

Obama offers new start with Iran

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama issued an unprecedented videotaped appeal to Iran on Friday offering a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement to turn the page on decades of U.S. policy toward America's longtime foe.

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties," Obama said in a message released to select Middle East broadcast outlets timed for an Iranian holiday celebration.

Obama went further than he has since taking office on January 20 in extending an olive branch to Tehran, which has been locked in bitter disputes with Washington over Iranian nuclear ambitions and support for militant Islamic groups.

The Obama administration -- in a major shift from former President George W. Bush's isolation policy toward Iran, which he once branded part of an "axis of evil" -- has expressed an openness to face-to-face diplomatic contacts with Tehran.

Reaching out directly to Iranian leaders and their people, Obama said: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."

He said the United States wanted Iran to take its "rightful place in the community of nations," but also insisted that Tehran do its part to achieve reconciliation.

"You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization," Obama said.

"The measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he added, alluding to Iran's contested nuclear program and its missile development efforts.

To stress the seriousness of Obama's overture, the White House distributed the videotape with Farsi subtitles and posted it on its website to coincide with Iranian observance of the ancient festival of Nowruz, celebrating the arrival of spring.

CONCILIATORY TONE

"I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Obama said in a conciliatory tone that contrasted sharply with Bush's hardline approach.

"We seek the promise of a new beginning."

Obama's willingness to talk to U.S. enemies like Iran has been welcomed internationally as a departure from what many saw as Bush's go-it-alone "cowboy diplomacy" epitomized by the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Though Obama stopped short of specific offers, he said he was seeking "a future with renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce."

However, he acknowledged, "This won't be reached easily."
The United States is at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear program, which Washington says is aimed at building atomic weapons, while Tehran insists it is for the peaceful generation of electricity.

Obama has also insisted that Iran end support for groups the United States considers terrorist organizations and cease "bellicose language" toward U.S. ally Israel.

The United States cut off diplomatic ties with Iran during the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, in which a group of militant Iranian students held 52 U.S. diplomats hostage at the American Embassy for 444 days.

Obama has said the United States is prepared to extend a hand of peace to Iran if it "unclenched its fist." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he is open to talks with Washington, but has demanded a fundamental change to U.S. policy in the Middle East.

In what was seen as an initial overture, the Obama administration said recently it would invite Tehran to an international conference on Afghanistan later this month. Iran has said it would consider the invitation.

Obama offers new start with Iran

The white house using Farsi?

[Anny]

I dont know about this approach but when he says that Iran has to stop given weapons to ''terrorist organisations'' that only includes HA and Hammas. What about when is the USA will leave given so much weapons to Israel to kill Palestinians? Is Iran and the US having a peace deal without letting know the public? What will happen to Hizbollah and Hammas ' US views as organisations ? Specially fi HA wins the elections with the opposition in Lebanon? These are the main questions and concerns that I have.

[Salome]

Originally Posted by Anny

I dont know about this approach but when he says that Iran has to stop given weapons to ''terrorist organisations'' that only includes HA and Hammas. What about when is the USA will leave given so much weapons to Israel to kill Palestinians? Is Iran and the US having a peace deal without letting know the public? What will happen to Hizbollah and Hammas ' US views as organisations ? Specially fi HA wins the elections with the opposition in Lebanon? These are the main questions and concerns that I have.

Many of your questions are addressed in the other thread about Obama and his ME policy.

According to his official agenda, he will use "tough and direct diplomacy as a new tool" although they will have their preconditions to talk to these groups.

As we know Hamas welcomed this approach although they have preconditions themselves for such talk, like being recognized as part of a joint Palestinian government.

And as we know HA rejected this new US approach, they dont want to hear about any US preconditions, they themselves want to set the conditions.

Well lets see how Iran reacts to this US approach. In case they will be positive about it, I wonder if there will be a shift in the HA position? Which would show somehow that they are not that independent from Iran as they like to portrey it. (I dont think anyway that anybody would believe such a claim, admittedly or not)

[TripolySunni]

Originally Posted by Salome

Many of your questions are addressed in the other thread about Obama and his ME policy.

According to his official agenda, he will use "tough and direct diplomacy as a new tool" although they will have their preconditions to talk to these groups.

As we know Hamas welcomed this approach although they have preconditions themselves for such talk, like being recognized as part of a joint Palestinian government.

And as we know HA rejected this new US approach, they dont want to hear about any US preconditions, they themselves want to set the conditions.

Well lets see how Iran reacts to this US approach. In case they will be positive about it, I wonder if there will be a shift in the HA position? Which would show somehow that they are not that independent from Iran as they like to portrey it. (I dont think anyway that anybody would believe such a claim, admittedly or not)

HAMAS has a little differnt approach than HA in these matters specially since they have a much bigger reponsability of leading an entire people, So HAMAS would welcome any negotiations leading to the return of thier rights as long as no Israeli conditions are posed on the table ofcourse. anyway I want to see if anything will change between the US and russia because That will reflect directly to Iran's positions and most probably HA to a certain extent.

[VitaminC]

I think the main issue here is still Palestine. It's what makes or breaks the deal for Iran and HA. I personally am sure neither will compromise on this central issue.. it's not like the US didn't try before to use the stick and carrot approach.. with no result. And I don't understand what people mean when they talk of a "shift" in Hezbollah position.. a shift from where to where exactly? everytime negociation or some talk of "talks" or peace negociations is in the air... there are those who start asking the question "what will happen to HA"... I fail to see the relevance of the question, because HA markets their experience as an effective deterrent to any attack on lebanon. I will go a step further and say... I can see Hezbollah still marketing for it even after a peace accord is reached between the arabs and Israel... the value here to them is deterrence, because all nations prepare for war to preserve the peace (according to HA).

[shevchenco]

Obama's message and the reaction:

[TripolySunni]

All I know is that this message messed up some presidential campaigns in Iran, and What I also know is that Iran and the US always Kept what you would call a "Way Back" so they never went all the way in thier enimity, there was always this tiny thread (in Iraq and Pakistan) that could be used as a way to reconcile both countries.

[Xguy]

The zionist controled media do not like this intiative, because it doesn't suit Israel's agenda of war, and they already are playing it down.

yahoo is already acusing Iran of brushing off this message read:

Iran brushes aside new Obama video message:

Iran brushes aside new Obama video message

watch and see there will be more to come, they will misinterprate on both sides till they get what they want.

Media the most powerfull weapon

[sebastianhanna]

you're right, as long as the US only talks, there's no progress
when the US takes simple action like the UK showing willingness for direct negotiations with Hezbollah, then you know there's something going down
Obama might be willing to release tension, but all his cabinet aren't ready for it

[Danny Z]

If they want to talk to the Iranian leadership, they can call them or meet with them talking on TV is for the American people to prove that they're sticking to their campaign that we're "changing" whatever that means or to the Iranian people to tell them hey we're "changing" but look your leadership they are not listening.
It will remain under a TV stunt unless actions are taken to prove some goodwill. The least they can do is apologize for shooting down Iran Air Flight 655 over Hurmuz.