Iran Press: Diplomatic Traffic in Tehran – Secret Messages From America

Text of report by Akbar Montajabi entitled: “Diplomatic traffic in Tehran – Secret messages from America” by Iranian daily newspaper Ayande-ye Now on 6 February

These days Iran is experiencing a diplomatic traffic. The heads and officials of countries in the region visit Iran and seems as if they are delivering messages from others to Iran; secret messages from America. This is how on the one hand the Foreign Minister of the southern country and on the other hand other heads of states suddenly step into Iran to deliver the so-called “message”. On the one hand the Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud Al-Faisal arrives in Tehran with King Abdullah’s message and on the other hand the Chairman of Iraq’s Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution.

Yet, no one is explicitly saying that they have brought a message or have been mediating for Iran, but they all admit that they have come to Iran to discus regional issues.

Aren’t the regional issues anything other than insecurity in Iraq, America’s aggressive naval carriers in the Persian Gulf or Lebanon’s chaotic situation? And is it other than the fact that America is playing the main role in all of them?

This is why the officials from Iran’s neighbouring countries deny they were carrying a message or are going to deliver a message while they are in Iran, but immediately after they leave Iranian soil – such as Jalal Talebani – they say that they have passed on Iran’s message to America’s envoy in Iraq or had brought a message to Iran prior to their visit.

Also previously Condoleezza Rice’s advisor had announced that the US has sent some messages [to Iran] but have not yet received any response. Or in another instance, during an urgent session in the National Security [parliamentary] Committee, Iranian members of parliament debated the proposal of American senators and also reached unanimity to express their positions to the Iranian president.

In any case, the state of affairs in Tehran is in a way that various messages are being delivered to Iran. Of course such messages are increased in their numbers when diplomatic literature takes an offensive and threatening shape and thus the traffic in Tehran becomes more congested.

In these days American warmongers are openly addressing Iran with offensive literature. This was to an extent that George Bush’s presidential rival, John Kerry called the use of such literature and political behaviour as “humiliating America” and had underlined that Bush had jeopardised US interests and reputation throughout the world.

But as well as concerns for the American warmongers, there is concern within Iran itself. Iran has plainly declared that it will not back down from its nuclear positions. Although, it is ready to negotiate the Iraqi crisis with any country including America in order to solve the problems of Iraqi people. But the hostile approach of the Americans, their inflexibility and insistence on a full suspension of all Iranian nuclear activities, has taken away the choice of flexibility from Iran.

That’s why Iran is not ready to sit behind the negotiating table, should one be prepared for Iran and America in Munich. Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, Larijani is on his way to Munich in Germany. There is a possibility that he will meet the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates on the sidelines of Munich Security Summit and even continue with his nuclear meetings with the German Chancellor Ms Merkel and the French President, Jacques Chirac. But Larijani is openly saying that he is not prepared to meet with American officials, because he does not approve of the recent positions of that country.

In any case, the trip is not without a message whether it is the Iranian officials travelling abroad or officials from other countries visiting Iran. Also the trip is not without apprehension and concern, especially at a time that the region is experiencing a crisis and Tehran visitors are high-ranking officials from the region. Certainly there have been some messages received by Iran, as the Spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier stated that Iran would certainly have a response for these messages, although they may not be pleasant messages.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.