Obama calls for constructive ties with Tehran

Source: AFP, 20-03-2009

US President Barack Obama sought on Friday to slash through decades of distrust and animosity, and launched an historic appeal directly to the Iranian people, urging a resolution of differences and an "honest" engagement with Tehran.

Obama said 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 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."

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."

Obama also said, "The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations."

"You have that right, but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization," he added.

"And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he said.