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Mediamax, Armenia
July 4 2013
Dr. Ali Salami: `During Rouhani's presidency Iran-Armenia ties will
become better'
On June 14 Hassan Rouhani won the Presidential elections in Iran.
Mediamax talked with Dr. Ali Salami, who is an Iranian writer,
political analyst, former editor of Tehran Times and analyst for Press
TV.
- At first glance, the fact that there is no particular criticism
against the newly elected President of Iran, proves that he has huge
public support. Is it really so?
- Yes, indeed. Rouhani has recently garnered a lot of public support
and I presume it was largely due to his moderate stance in all areas.
- Rouhani has a significant political career record.
- As you said, Rouhani has had a brilliant political career in the
past. He successfully led the nuclear negotiations for a number of
years and he was called a "very experienced diplomat and politician'
by former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who dealt with Rouhani
during nuclear negotiations between 2003 and 2005. That is why
Iranians are largely optimistic about Rouhani and the `constructive'
changes that he will be able to bring about in Iran's relations with
the rest of the world.
- What was the main reason why more than 18 million Iranians elected
Hassan Rouhani as their future president? Wasn't his election a
surprise?
- Well, to some, his election came as a big surprise as they never
expected a man of his caliber with such political leanings would take
the lead in Iran's presidential election. In fact, his election also
nullified the notion that the 2009 presidential election was rigged.
Rouhani is candidly courageous and that is why has won a lot of people
to his side. A few days before the election, opinion polls indicated a
strong public penchant for electing Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the mayor
of Tehran. However, things changed in favor of Rouhani when he proved
that he was a politician who was adamantly resolute to bring about
real positive changes.
- How real is Rouhani's `Moderation' policy? Will he become the real
game changer as he promised?
- Rouhani, as I said, is not a newcomer in the political arena and he
knows that the time for hollow slogans is gone. It is highly possible
that he may be able to serve as a game-changer in the international
arena as far Iranian policies are concerned. To achieve this end, he
certainly needs some time to change the stance of the West.
- In May 2012 , Rouhani himself noted that Iran's nuclear policy won't
change with the election of a new President because any policy
differences concern only the pace of Iran's nuclear progress. Do you
see any possible changes in the views of the new President in this
context in future?
- I think constructive negotiations on both parts can help obliterate
ambiguities concerning Iran's nuclear program. But one thing is
certain, there will be no backing down on nuclear right by Iran since
it seeks no military ambition in its nuclear program whatsoever and
believes that the West is no position to treat the country in the
manner of a bully on the strength of only a handful of allegations.
So, Rouhani is right.
- Do you think we need to expect some changes in the foreign policy of
Iran in nearest future?
- There is no point in thinking that Iran will not improve its
relations with Russia. In point of fact, the ties between the two
countries have been fairly favorable in the past. As for the US, Iran
has constantly said that it will engage in negotiations with
Washington but in an amicable atmosphere and on equal terms and
without preconditions.
- What developments can we expect in Iran-Armenia relations?
- Iran has always held a positive approach towards Armenia and has
emphasized the expansion of ties on all levels between the two
countries. I am positive that the ties will be better than before. As
Rouhani said in response to the congratulatory message of Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan, Iran will expand its relations with Armenia
based on mutual understanding, trust and mutual respect.
Ali Salami was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan - specially for Mediamax.
- See more at: http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/7691/#sthash.QytJhpKt.dpuf
July 4 2013
Dr. Ali Salami: `During Rouhani's presidency Iran-Armenia ties will
become better'
On June 14 Hassan Rouhani won the Presidential elections in Iran.
Mediamax talked with Dr. Ali Salami, who is an Iranian writer,
political analyst, former editor of Tehran Times and analyst for Press
TV.
- At first glance, the fact that there is no particular criticism
against the newly elected President of Iran, proves that he has huge
public support. Is it really so?
- Yes, indeed. Rouhani has recently garnered a lot of public support
and I presume it was largely due to his moderate stance in all areas.
- Rouhani has a significant political career record.
- As you said, Rouhani has had a brilliant political career in the
past. He successfully led the nuclear negotiations for a number of
years and he was called a "very experienced diplomat and politician'
by former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who dealt with Rouhani
during nuclear negotiations between 2003 and 2005. That is why
Iranians are largely optimistic about Rouhani and the `constructive'
changes that he will be able to bring about in Iran's relations with
the rest of the world.
- What was the main reason why more than 18 million Iranians elected
Hassan Rouhani as their future president? Wasn't his election a
surprise?
- Well, to some, his election came as a big surprise as they never
expected a man of his caliber with such political leanings would take
the lead in Iran's presidential election. In fact, his election also
nullified the notion that the 2009 presidential election was rigged.
Rouhani is candidly courageous and that is why has won a lot of people
to his side. A few days before the election, opinion polls indicated a
strong public penchant for electing Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the mayor
of Tehran. However, things changed in favor of Rouhani when he proved
that he was a politician who was adamantly resolute to bring about
real positive changes.
- How real is Rouhani's `Moderation' policy? Will he become the real
game changer as he promised?
- Rouhani, as I said, is not a newcomer in the political arena and he
knows that the time for hollow slogans is gone. It is highly possible
that he may be able to serve as a game-changer in the international
arena as far Iranian policies are concerned. To achieve this end, he
certainly needs some time to change the stance of the West.
- In May 2012 , Rouhani himself noted that Iran's nuclear policy won't
change with the election of a new President because any policy
differences concern only the pace of Iran's nuclear progress. Do you
see any possible changes in the views of the new President in this
context in future?
- I think constructive negotiations on both parts can help obliterate
ambiguities concerning Iran's nuclear program. But one thing is
certain, there will be no backing down on nuclear right by Iran since
it seeks no military ambition in its nuclear program whatsoever and
believes that the West is no position to treat the country in the
manner of a bully on the strength of only a handful of allegations.
So, Rouhani is right.
- Do you think we need to expect some changes in the foreign policy of
Iran in nearest future?
- There is no point in thinking that Iran will not improve its
relations with Russia. In point of fact, the ties between the two
countries have been fairly favorable in the past. As for the US, Iran
has constantly said that it will engage in negotiations with
Washington but in an amicable atmosphere and on equal terms and
without preconditions.
- What developments can we expect in Iran-Armenia relations?
- Iran has always held a positive approach towards Armenia and has
emphasized the expansion of ties on all levels between the two
countries. I am positive that the ties will be better than before. As
Rouhani said in response to the congratulatory message of Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan, Iran will expand its relations with Armenia
based on mutual understanding, trust and mutual respect.
Ali Salami was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan - specially for Mediamax.
- See more at: http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/7691/#sthash.QytJhpKt.dpuf