Majlis lawmaker critical of Ahmadinejad’s administration, Ghodratollah Alikhani discussed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to president-elect of the United States of America in an interview with Rooz. Alikhani argues that no administration since the 1979 revolution has flashed as many green lights to the United States as Ahmadinejad’s administration. Here is the text of the exchange.
Rooz (R): What is your opinion of Mr. Ahmadinejad's congratulatory letter to the American president-elect?
Ghodratollah Alikhani (GA): The principle of congratulating is not a bad thing. However, one must examine to see what is the context for extending such gestures, and also if the opposite side is willing to respond or not. The fact that there has not been a response so far is in my opinion an insult to the Iranian people.
R: If congratulating is a good thing then why have the officials not done this in the past thirty years?
GA: Well it seems like Mr. Ahmadinejad really wants to have relations with America. No administration since the revolution has flashed as many green lights to America compared to Ahmadinejad’s administration. However, it is the Americans who have not responded positively to the possibility of establishing any kind of relations. Therefore President Ahmadinejad seems to believe that since there is now a new president in the US, the new American administration will provide an opening. But this has hit the wall as well. After all, Mr. Ahmadinejad tried really hard to create an opening through establishing a US interests section in Tehran and through congratulating the president-elect, but to no avail.
R: What is an appropriate response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's letter?
GA: We have to first wait and see whether the nation will even reelect Mr. Ahmadinejad in the presidential elections in six months. This is not the time for these discussions, in my opinion.
R: If Obama responds positively to the president's letter, how would that affect the Iranian elections?
GA: It is hard to predict right now, but I don't think it will have much of an effect. People care more about economic issues and their problems, and that wouldn't matter as much.
