Ms Rafaat Bayat is a representative of the current seventh conservative Majlis who spoke with Rooz reporter on Iran’s relations with the US. Here are the excerpts.
Rooz (R): President Ahmadinejad has on a number of occasions expressed his desire to resolve Iran-US differences. What do you think is the origin of US officials’ remarks that they have concerns regarding Iran?
Rafaat Bayat (RB): After the 1979 revolution, we identified the conditions for talks with the US. One is that the US pay its debts to Iran. Second is that it stop supporting bulling and dominance. That it not confront the Islamic revolution with a negative political attitude. The Americans know that if they want to talk with us, these are our conditions. If anybody wants to talk, this is the framework. It appears that the US is pulling itself away from talks.
R: Many believe that Iran and the US have common interests in the region. For example both desire stability in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Iran has on many occasions been cooperative in the battle against terrorist groups and particularly al-Qaeda. Why do both countries not pay attention to this to start comprehensive talks?
RB: I disagree that Iran and the US have common interests in the region. We are part of this region while the US is not. We are a member of this region and have the right to expect our neighbors to live peacefully and that nobody create problems in our neighborhood. One of the best ways for the US to depart is to stay away from the issues of the Middle East and stop interfering. The US is over-ambitious. If Mr. Obama can control this aggression and thinks only about the US the whole world will live in peace.
R: The US has imposed sanctions on Iran and there is talk of even more sanctions. What is the effect of this?
RB: It will not have an impact. In world economy, the US no longer calls the most important shot. We buy our needs from US competitors. It is the US that is loosing.
R: What do you think about the opening of a US Interests Section in Tehran?
RB: It is useless. Until our conditions are met, no office in Iran will be able to work.
R: If it is decided that talks should be held and Iran-US issues be solved, what is the best channel?
RB: Switzerland can be the channel. Because an interests section will convey a different message. We must first become assured. We do not trust the US. Nobody in Iran trusts the US. In any case, the Majlis too must have a say on this. The final person on the issue of relations between Iran and the US is the supreme leader. In the meantime, some people say some things, and even the President says some things, but at the end of the day it is the leader who must decide.
R: The supreme leader had agreed to four rounds of talks between Iran and the US over Iraq. Is this not a sign that there is a desire for talks?
RB: That was about Iraq. I do not think the results of those talks were very productive. This is because the US still continues its aggressive posture. We wanted to solve the problems of our neighbor.
