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In this exclusive interview, Iran's foreign minister, Monouchehr Mottaki, speaks frankly about Iran's foreign policy priorities, strategic partners, and regional security concerns. He reaffirms Iran's role in working for the security of the entire Persian Gulf, and dismisses the possibility of a U.S. attack on Iran.
Kaveh Afrasiabi: What are the main foreign policy priorities of Iran today?
Foreign Minister M. Mottaki: Our priority is to protect our rights and interests. We are also concerned with the lack of justice and spirituality in the current international system. Sixty years after the establishment of the United Nations, we are still confronted with a great deal of injustice, with some powers playing big brother. This is the reason for unilateralism today, which is no longer acceptable by most of the world community supporting multilateralism. The absence of spirituality has translated into power without responsibility, that is, every party trying to acquire power without a sense of responsibility to the human beings and members of the international community. This lack of justice and spiritual standards has translated into various crises around the world. If you look at the recent war in Lebanon, you will find a glaring example of this unjust approach, with some parties preventing an immediate cease fire and supporting the aggression of the Zionist regime.
Afrasiabi: Who are Iran¹s key strategic and trading partners in the world today?
Mottaki: We have so many partners in the world today. In Asia, we have very good relations with China, Japan, India, Malaysia and others, both economically and politically. We have a lot of friends with common interests and common concerns dealing with international issues. With Europe, we have traditionally had good relations for many years -- with Italy, Germany, France, and these days, with Spain. They are our main partners in economic relations as well as for political negotiations. In Latin America and Africa, we have a new policy to enhance our relations. We have very good relations with Latin America in the area of economic relations, political consultation and cultural dialogue. We have solid relations in Africa, but unfortunately certain powers are trying to deceive the minds of others, trying to spread a negative image of others in order to discourage our relations with other countries in Africa for the sake of their own interests. With Russia, we have very good relations. With the Muslim countries, we have common concerns, especially now that Islam is under attack in the West, as can be seen with the cartoons and some recent statements on our prophets, and the false characterizations of Islam as fascist. These really reflect more on their own intolerant behavior, which creates fascism in the world.
Afrasiabi: With respect to the Persian Gulf states which are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, what are the prospects for improved relations with Iran?
Mottaki: We have very good relations with the Persian Gulf states. We consider our relations with them as highly important. This region provides some 62% of the world¹s energy needs, which makes the issue of security very important. We must consider the security of the Persian Gulf as a whole. We cannot divide the region¹s security interests, and expect to see tension in one part while the rest of Persian Gulf is secure. Regional cooperation among the littoral states of the Persian Gulf is one of the best ways to promote security. With Iran and the new Iraq we can establish a new basis for common Persian Gulf security.
Afrasiabi: What concrete steps has Iran taken to promote regional cooperation?
Mottaki: Well, for one thing, Iran is a member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which was initially established along with Turkey and Pakistan. After the revolution, the mandate and composition of this organization changed, focusing on economic cooperation. ECO has seven new members, including six republics from the former Soviet Union, plus Afghanistan. Last year, we had an ECO ministerial meeting in Kazakhstan, and we adopted a plan of action for the next ten years. We focused on expansion of trade in the ECO bloc, enhancement of our banking systems, capacity building, and transportation. We have also set up a follow-up system, with specific countries responsible to follow-up on the implementation of decisions. We are hoping that by coordinating tariffs among the member states, we can increase ECO¹s role in regional economic activities.
Another issue is the connection between the Persian Gulf states and Central Asia and other republics of the former Soviet Union. I recently raised this with Persian Gulf leaders. Iran is the most feasible transport option for goods from Persian Gulf to Central Asia and the Caucasus. And last but not least is the issue of energy transport. Iran is the most secure channel for transferring Central Asian energy through the Persian Gulf. We now move more than 370,000 barrels of oil per day from Central Asia to Persian Gulf through Iran. There is a rich potential for cooperation among the states in the region.
Afrasiabi: Iran has recently offered to help with Iraq¹s security problems. Can you elaborate on this?
Mottaki: Iraq has two main problems. First, the lack of security and terrorist activities; and second, the continuing presence of foreign troops. We believe the best option is to leave Iraq¹s security to Iraqi officials, and we favor a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces. We support the process of government-making in Iraq. Security is not just vital for Iraq, but for the region and its neighbors as well. That is why we are willing to assist the Iraqi government.
Afrasiabi: Does Iran take the U.S. threats of military action against Iran seriously? What would be Iran¹s response?
Mottaki: We do not see the Americans initiating yet another crisis against the interests of their own taxpayers. With what they have done in the past and they are grappling with many problems it is better for them to focus on resolving their present crises. Iran is a country that can strongly defend itself, and our history shows that our people never submit to the dictates of other countries. No, we do not see the Americans taking any such actions.
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Kaveh L. Afrasiabi, Ph.D. is a political scientist and author who specializes on Iran's foreign and nuclear affairs.
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Copyright © 2006 Kaveh L. Afrasiabi / Agence Global
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