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Fate of US-Iran talks in Fearless Leader's hands
 A top Iranian cleric says the future of possible talks between Iran and the US lies in the hands of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Following the Obama administration's plans to remake America's approach to diplomacy with regards to Iran, there have been calls in Iran to take up the invitation for direct talks. A member of Iran's Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, said on Monday that Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has the final say in defining the Islamic Republic's foreign policy toward the White House. "Those who claim that once they come to power, they would stop the uranium enrichment program have no knowledge of the constitution; the final decision on the issue will be made by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution," said Ayatollah Khatami. While the president is the most public face of the Islamic Republic, under Iran's constitution the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has the final say in all matters of state. President Barack Obama, in what appeared as a sharp U-turn from the policies of the former US administration, said in his first White House news conference last Monday that he saw the possibility of diplomatic openings with Iran in the months ahead where both sides "can start sitting across the table, face to face." Later on Tuesday, Iran's president welcomed the idea of dialogue with the US provided that the tone for change in the new administration is not just a tactical one. "It is clear that change should be fundamental, not tactical, and our people welcome real changes," said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere." Under former US president George W. Bush, Washington pursued a carrot-and-stick policy toward Tehran over its nuclear program and by setting preconditions of halting enrichment it snubbed calls by Ahmadinejad for talks on the long-standing dispute. Earlier in June after world powers offered political and economic incentives to Iran in return for the suspension of its enrichment program, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran would never back down on its nuclear program. President Obama, who is reportedly mulling over a response to a congratulatory letter from Iran's president for his victory in the US presidential race, has been urged to address his opening to Ayatollah Khamenei. However, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani said in early February that Tehran is still waiting for a concrete offer from Washington that would kick off the long-awaited negotiations. Posted by: Fred 2009-02-17 |
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