Iran Welcomes Obama΄s Overture

Source: Al-Manar TV, 20-03-2009

In an unprecedented direct video message to the Iranian people, US President Barack Obama launched Friday a historic appeal urging a resolution of differences and the launch of an "honest" engagement with Tehran.

Obama said in one of the most decisive foreign policy statements of his young tenure that Washington was committed to pursuing "constructive ties" with the Islamic republic and that Tehran could take its "rightful place" in the world if it renounced "terror and embraced peace."

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community," Obama said in the message marking the start Friday of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.
"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained," he said. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together." The two nations have not had diplomatic ties since 1980.

Calling the Nowruz celebrations a time of "new beginnings", Obama said he wanted "to speak clearly to Iran's leaders" about the need for a new era of "engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect." "The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations," he said.