Obama Sends Video Message To Iran For “New Beginning” In Relations

President Barack Obama has sent a video message complete with Farsi subtitles to the Iranian people saying his administration is “committed to diplomacy” in a “new beginning” with Iran but threats and dabbling in terrorism won’t do. And it’s notable that he used You Tube which allows him to talk not just directly to the government but to Iranians who are online:

The transcript of his message is HERE. Meanwhile, the Iranian government responded saying it welcomed the move but it peppered its response with some of its usual talking points about the United States and — no surprise here — Israel:

Aliakbar Javanfekr, an aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking to Reuters:

“We welcome the interest of the American government to settle differences. The American government should realise its previous mistakes and make an effort to amend them in order to put aside differences.

The Obama administration so far has just talked. By words and talking the … problems between Iran and America can not be solved.

Nowruz (the Iranian New Year which falls on Friday) is a sign of fundamental development in nature and Obama should learn from this to make fundamental changes in his policy towards Iran.

Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture and the new year is an opportunity for the United States to change this policy.

By fundamentally changing its behaviour America can offer us a friendly hand. So far what we have received have been unfriendly fists. Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed.

The Iranian nation has shown that it can forget hasty behaviour but we are awaiting practical steps by the United States.

The BBC offers a good take on the speeches’ content and how to read between the lines. Read this article in full but here is one key section:

Flattery is often a good way to start – he talks about the “great” Iranian civilisation and conjures up warm images with references to common family feelings on public holidays.

All this, on the Iranian spring holiday of Nowruz, is an effort to overcome Iranian suspicions that it is held in low esteem by the US.

Perhaps the diplomatically key phase is this: “My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us.”

But note how carefully the phrase about threats was written. It does not in fact rule out threats in the future. The absence of threats applies only to the process of diplomacy. If diplomacy fails, threats might return. Mr Obama also means that stopping threats also applies to Iranian threats, especially against Israel.

Incidentally, the US position now diverges quite strongly from the Israeli. The Israelis have recently been making increasingly worried statements about Iran’s potential nuclear weapons capacity, suggesting that while diplomacy might come first, military action might come second.

The president also offers carrots, among them “constructive ties between the United States, Iran and the international community” in an “engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect”.

The ties refer to the potential for diplomatic relations to be restored between the US and Iran, but he does not commit himself openly to that outcome at this stage. “Honest” engagement means that there will be tough talking. “Mutual respect” means that the US will listen.

And this:

Another key phrase: “You, too, have a choice.”

This is not a threat but it is a warning. Mr Obama gets close to the bone. Iran, he says, must recognise that rights come with “responsibilities”.
Read it in its entirety.

The bottom line: this is a stark contrast to the Bush administration’s policy, which basically was isolation. And in terms of the communication tool (You Tube) it’s an even greater contrast.

UPDATE: More developments and blog reaction HERE.