أرشيف موقع العهد الإخباري من 1999-2018
ارشيف من : 2005-2008
Iranian Foreign Office Adviser, Dr. Hussein Ahmadi to Al-Intiqad: No Cessation of Uranium Enrichment, any New Sanctions, West Attack on Iran Suicidal
an adviser and expert of the French Affairs in the Iranian Foreign Office, a coordinator in Iran’s Modern History Foundation, and has tens of articles and researches on politics, history and Iranian-European relations.
Al-Intiqad met with Dr. Ahmadi seeking his explanation of the latest developments of the Iranian nuclear dossier while focusing on the European role.
Al-Intiqad: The European political movement on the Iranian nuclear issue is attracting attention especially after the foreign ministers meeting which suggested that negotiations with Iran have reached an impasse. But despite this threatening tone, they left a loophole for a continuation on the condition that the uranium enrichment is stopped. What is your vision on the reality of the European stance?
Dr. Ahmadi: The Europeans have many reasons that push them to cooperate and coordinate with Iran. The most important reason is the economic issue and the wide presence of French and German companies in Iran. But I believe that the margin of these European maneuvers to face the US pressures is partially limited and narrow; and that Europe is forced to walk together with America politically pertaining to the crucial issues.
At present, America is facing a troubled and tensed political situation in Iraq; and it does not have the power to challenge several world crises at one time. For this reason, it gives the European stance the priority in order to conceal its weakness on the world political arena. Had the Iranian nuclear issue taken place before the occupation of Iraq, naturally America would not have given attention to the European stance. On the other hand, America, in taking the nuclear negotiations between Europe and Iran to an impasse, wants to reach an agreement between the European allies against Iran as well as recruit the world opinion. This way it can – as time passes by and in giving attention to the ruling circumstances of the world – take the subsequent step and adopt the next position.
Al-Intiqad: Why the Europeans did not respond to the Iranian proposal on the joint enrichment processes with France knowing that the previous environments suggested positive results pertaining to Solana-Larijani discussions?
Dr. Ahmadi: The issue of stopping the uranium enrichment has been decided by the UN Security Council. Initially, it has been clear from the beginning that America, to preserve its supremacy and prestige worldwide, did not want to allow the negotiations reach any outcome should the enrichment continue. On the other bank, Iran tried enrichment cessation for two years, which was totally unbeneficial. Instead, it lost a great deal and its interests were damaged due to this cessation. After this, it gained distrust towards the attitude, subjectivity and neutrality of the Europeans. Therefore, the Europeans, if they want to reopen the negotiation door, must address the points of the previous misunderstanding and sit at the negotiation table without any prior conditions.
The Iranian public opinion inside and outside Iran steadily sides with Iran’s right to obtain nuclear energy. Therefore, the Iranian National Security Council must give convincing answers to the people and public opinion should the enrichment be once again stopped. There is a general thinking in the country that the super powers have a quest to deprive Iran of its natural vital rights.
Al-Intiqad: The situation in Iran differs from that of the North Korean, yet the US administration benefited from the Korean nuclear test to put pressure on Iran. Will this create the chance for America to execute the scenario of an attack on Iran?
Dr. Ahmadi: naturally the North Korean nuclear test mirrored negatively on the Iranian peaceful nuclear dossier. America benefited enormously from this issue in order to bring the Iranian case nearer to that of the North Korean in the eyes of the world public opinion.
However, by looking at Achilles heel of the US forces in Iraq, the NATO forces in Afghanistan, and at the disappointment of "Israel" after its defeat by Hizbullah, I believe that no war is likely to happen. Any missile attack on the Iranian nuclear foundations will be regarded as major suicide. Yes, there may be limited sanctions because the Iranian capacity inside and outside can prevent the occurrence of heavy sanctions. The Iranian technology and nuclear science are of national and local production. Therefore, striking the nuclear foundations of Iran will not enable the west wipe out the Iranian nuclear capacity. Should this issue take place, not only the regional countries, but also the world countries will be subjected to serious economic losses.
Al-Intiqad: The Iranian ambassador in France said that the sanctions will harm the European firms. And the two Russian and Chinese representatives are trying to modify the draft resolution so that the sanctions be minimal. In your opinion, have the siege and sanctions become imminent? There are many debates on the oil prices and the Straight of Hormuz?
Dr. Ahmadi: The Germans and French are well aware that as soon as sanctions are imposed on Iran, the Chinese and Russian companies will strengthen their presence in the Iranian markets. Perhaps there is a “whisper” from the Chinese to the Europeans to limitedly boycott Iran so that they can fill the European gap and thrust into the Iranian market. Should oil export become subjected to any threat, I believe that no one will be able to transport oil from the gulf to the Oman Sea as well as to the Arab countries. Besides, the countries that have an increasing demand for oil will receive a great blow. In addition, Iran has great experience in economic siege and does not have any wide economic relations with America, which means it will not be harmed by any siege at present. After all, the sanctions will harm everyone and will take the Middle East zone to war.
Al-Intiqad: Is Europe heading towards a united stance against Iran after the previous conversations showed difference in opinions between its countries?
Dr. Ahmadi: Penetrating the suggested siege as well as opening new doors of cooperation with several European countries is not difficult. I believe that stronger economic relations and great deals must take place with the European countries (other than Germany and France), where the capacity is available. These issues are economically existent; and the base can be provided for their wider participation and presence in the Iranian arena.
The Americans and Europeans are aware that depriving Iran of its nuclear rights is illogic and illegal. I believe that if the regime in Iran was – like the former Bahlawi regime – responding to the US interests, there would have been no problem at all. But because our foreign policy fountains from within our patriotism and is not affected by any influence from the super powers, this is why our independence upsets these powers that seek by any means to create troubles to prevent the birth of any union that opposes the worldwide US hegemony.
Al-Intiqad: How do you evaluate future events regarding the nuclear issue? What is the Iranian response to the proposed probabilities?
Dr. Ahmadi: I believe that a decision will be passed by the UNSC to prevent the export of the missile and nuclear parts. The aim behind this is to force Iran accept the cessation of enrichment, even for one week! As I said earlier, the people, after the past experiences, cannot be convinced in cessation of enrichment. Should our National Security Council continue with its policy of transparency like before, it will, in employing the capacity of the national media means and the public support, reach the highest level of nuclear technology and overcome pressures within a relatively short period of time.
Al-Intiqad 1188, 2006-11-10