Seyyed Rasoul Mousavi

Direct talks between Iran and America on Iraq’s security were in the international limelight last month, which triggered innumerous analysis and discussions.
When the Iranian leader announced that Iran will attend the Baghdad talks to remind occupiers of their responsibilities in Iraq to help improve security, many of the ambitious analyses were scuttled. However, Iranian officials followed up the issue within the framework of the leader’s guidelines.
Iran Daily interviewed Seyyed Rasoul Mousavi, director of the Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies, to discuss different aspects of the landmark meeting between Iran and the US.
Before the interview, Mousavi said he would comment as a political expert rather than an official.
Mousavi, who served as Iran’s ambassador to Tajikistan, has held executive positions such as Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry’s director general for cultural relations. Excerpts:

IRAN DAILY: What led to talks with the US?
SEYYED RASOUL MOUSAVI: What happened between Iran and the United States at the ambassador level is not coincidental and has a historical background. These talks were preceded by preliminaries.
What is clear is that Americans favored talks with Iran on several occasions. They had unofficial talks on Afghanistan with Iran after September 9/11. The two sides also cooperated during unofficial talks at Bonn for helping the Afghan peace process. Later, although Americans accused Iran of being a part of ’axis of evil’, we had unofficial talks between representatives in Geneva. What makes the recent Baghdad talks stand out is the official nature of these talks.
When the Americans attacked Iraq and occupied it, they considered it a simple victory over a dictatorship but time changed everything. They were not the victorious side. They were trapped by Iraq’s problems, so they started to involve other countries. They found that the only way to escape the Iraqi quagmire was to take the help of allies like Britain and some regional countries. Iran has a special position among regional countries and because of this, the US wanted official talks with Iran.

Did occupying forces in Iraq foresee problems when they attacked?
In the unofficial talks between (Mohammad Javad) Zarif of Iran and (Zalmay) Khalilzad of America in Geneva 2002, we informed them of the likely problems in Iraq.
At that time, the Americans did not pay any attention to Iran’s predictions and analyses that turned out to be true. Since the occupiers did not have a specific policy on Iraq, they appointed Paul Bremer as the administrator to oversee all affairs. Afterwards, they sent a military ruler who formed a temporary administration. As soon as Iraqis took charge of some issues, Americans found themselves stuck in a dead-end. Today Americans wish to decrease their troops in Iraq, if not pull them out. It needs regional help and the Islamic Republic of Iran is the most influential country in the region to help them out.

Do you think that the complicated issues of the Middle East, especially Iraq, are the reason behind the failure of occupiers in solving the security issue?
Two factors are behind the complication of Middle East issues: Iraq’s situation and regional situation as a whole. Americans first focused on democratization of the region to change the situation. In their opinion, democracy was preferred to security for changing the current regional systems. The US policy has now zeroed on security. However the situation in Iraq changed and people took responsibilities as per their constitution. During the power transition, many terrorist groups used the opportunity to arm and secure their hideouts such that Iraq became a safe haven for terrorists. In other words, Iraqi involvement in executive activities on the one hand and the appearance of terrorist organizations on the other complicated the atmosphere.

What were the US objectives in holding these talks?
The US needed to do something even if it was against its liking. The American policies have not changed. Iran-US talks were actually talks with an enemy. This is a fact and we should accept it. The present situation made Americans talk with Iran on a particular subject. Common interests were not the reasons of these talks.

Was Iran’s position strong in these talks? Did (Hassan) Kazemi Qomi as Iran’s representative fulfill Tehran’s expectations in these talks?
In my opinion, Iran’s stance in talks with the US was strong and dignified. We never ignored our ideals. It’s not just a person negotiating from Iran’s side, it’s the system. Larijani’s negotiation with Europe on the nuclear issue is a clear example. It’s not a person deciding on issues but the whole system supporting these talks. On the other hand, when Iraq is the subject of talks, Qomi was the best choice. By studying the outcome of these talks, we can see that Iran achieved good results.

Will Iraq’s problems be solved by these kinds of talks? Don’t you think the occupiers should first leave Iraq?
The bad experience in Afghanistan explains it. Afghanistan’s war with the Soviet Union during the 1980s was followed by the Geneva meeting whereby the Soviet Union was obliged to pull out its troops from Afghanistan. Soviet Union had failed in Afghanistan. They suddenly pulled out their troops without preparing the ground. As a result, the militias harmed the people and the country. The truth is that America is an occupier of Iraq and has responsibilities. An occupier cannot attack a country, ruin it and take no responsibility for its security and stability. If Americans suddenly leave Iraq without involving Iraqi forces in securing this country, Iraq will become the land of terrorists. Iran is opposed to such a situation, hence it should help Americans leave Iraq. IranÐUS talks were aimed at strengthening the legal government of Iraq for taking responsibility for its own security.

Is Iran aiming to escape the psychological warfare imposed by America on the nuclear issue through these talks? Earlier, the issue was a possible attack on Iran, but now it’s of talks.
The results of Iran-US talks on Iraq can impact the region and the international community. We should remember that the nuclear case and Iraq talks are different issues.
Iran’s nuclear issue is following its own momentum; neither Europeans nor the Americans can solve it alone.
If Iraq becomes the center of insurgency or the land of terrorists, it will endanger Iran’s security. So, Iran is ready to play its role in securing its neighboring country similar to its cooperation in Afghan and other regional issues.
The US and Iran have understanding over Iraqi issues, but not over the nuclear issue. Basically, if countries increase their commonalities, they can affect their disputed issues as well.
However, Americans still speak of attacking Iran, but the country’s geopolitical position and military capabilities will not allow that. There is still a possibility that Americans will make a foolish move. They know the implications of targeting Iran’s nuclear sites which are supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency. And they know of Iran’s possible reaction.
There are 45 other countries, including 14 European one, which cannot be said to have a parallel nuclear weapons program. In this situation, attacking Iran’s nuclear sites will be a big blunder. Now that Americans have found that they can neither attack Iran nor harm it, they have changed their approach and prioritized negotiations.
The Americans have realized that their present policies are not working and Iran’s clout came to their rescue in Iraq.

TEHRAN, June 9--Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday Britain is backing terrorists in Afghanistan.
Speaking in a press conference in Tehran about the recent baseless statements by British Premier Tony Blair about Iran’s alleged links with Taliban elements, Mottaki said Blair’s remarks are in line with the UK government’s machinations, IRNA reported.
“The Blair government cannot justify its interfering policies in the region and its repeated failures in Afghanistan and Iraq compel them to make such groundless statements against Iran,“ he said.
He pointed out that secret talks between British troops and Taliban leaders in Musa Qaleh in Helmand province removed any doubt on Britain’s support for terrorists such that even the Afghan government has become concerned about such talks.
Mottaki opined that the terrorist acts in Afghanistan are linked to Britain’s present policies in the Middle East.

TEHRAN, June 9--Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said on Saturday Iran has played a tactful role in Iraq and Iranians helped coalition forces in toppling former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein.
In an interview with Pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat, Talabani said in his negotiations with Iranian officials that Iranians preferred the overthrow of Saddam’s Baathist regime by the coalition forces, Fars News Agency reported.
However, he emphasized that he is not aware of any secret relationship, agreement or coordination between Iran and coalition forces.
“Iranian officials believed and showed that they agreed with the election of Iraqi government with the people’s majority votes. This is why they supported the toppling of Saddam’s regime,“ he said.
He noted that the Iraqi people benefited more than others from the overthrow of Saddam and Iran also benefited.
“Iran has also benefited from the collapse of Taliban government in Afghanistan, because Taliban was also against the Islamic Republic of Iran,“ he said.
Talabani dismissed any affiliation between Iraqi Shiites and the Iranian government.
“Iraqi Shiites are under no circumstances controlled by Iran. This is because certain differences exist between Iraqi and Iranian Shiite sources of imitation over the issue of supreme jurisprudence,“ he said.

MOSCOW, June 9--Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the US on Saturday to halt moves to deploy missile defense facilities in Europe pending negotiations on the issue.
Lavrov’s remark suggested Moscow is unhappy that the US has continued discussions on its plans to deploy facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic following Russia’s counter offer of joint use of a radar station in Azerbaijan, AP quoted ITAR-Tass as reporting.
“It’s necessary to freeze the deployment of a missile defense system in Europe for a period of study and analysis, as well as negotiations on this issue,“ Lavrov said. “We suggest that the US jointly and professionally evaluate (the issue) ... and reach a general understanding.“
He also warned that the US missile defense plans could hamper efforts to ease international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, RIA-Novotsi reported.
Lavrov spoke two days after President Vladimir Putin, who has led Russia’s bitter objection to US plans to deploy a missile-defense radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland, surprised US President George W. Bush with the offer of joint use of a radar station in Azerbaijan, which borders Iran.
Meeting with Putin during a Group of Eight summit in Germany on Thursday, Bush agreed to consider the proposal.
But on Friday he pressed his plan for the system in a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Lech Kaczynski, and again shrugged off Moscow’s assertions that it would threaten Russia by tipping the strategic balance.

TEHRAN, June 9--A judiciary official said on Saturday the source of social and moral insecurities targeting Iranian society is foreign.
Speaking at the Third Judiciary-Police Seminar on upholding social security, Ebrahim Raisi, judiciary’s first deputy, added that production of weapons in border areas and distribution of unethical CDs threaten the country, especially the younger generation, IRNA reported.
Noting that the judiciary does not ignore the impact of profiteering and immoral issues on the society, he opined that the transformation of narcotics consumed inside the country from traditional to industrial drugs shows that plans related to drug trafficking are made overseas.
“One of the ways for spreading social and moral insecurities is by promoting corruption, which is being pursued by the world arrogant powers,“ he said.
Referring to the fact that social and moral securities should be materialized in a consistent manner, the official stated that the institutions in charge of shaping culture and ethics, including radio and television, theological schools, universities, filmmakers, Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry and other institutions, should become good role models for the younger generation.
Commenting on the performance of Drug Control Headquarters, Raisi noted that the success of headquarters is linked to the discharge of legal duties by its officials.
“We should take our fight against narcotics and alcoholic beverages to border regions and even outside Iranian territories, if necessary. Only then can we claim victory over drug traffickers,“ he said.
Asked about the plan for fighting the hooligans and the prison sentences considered for them, Raisi noted that no plaintiff is needed for cases related to hooligans.
The Third Judiciary-Police Seminar, which focused on strategies for upholding social security, was held in the presence of prosecutors of provincial capitals and commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police in different provinces.

KUWAIT CITY,
June 9--Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah expressed his country’s willingness to expand all-out ties with Iran.
Al-Sabah was speaking on Saturday in a meeting with the visiting Iranian Majlis Speaker Gholamali Haddad Adel, who is currently in Kuwait at the head of a delegation for an official three-day visit, IRNA reported.
He said exchange of visits and consultations between the two countries’ officials are an important factor in promoting bilateral cooperation, bringing the two nations closer and strengthening security and stability in the region.
The Kuwaiti emir voiced his country’s support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and called for Tehran’s further cooperation with the international community to build confidence on its peaceful nuclear case.
Haddad, for his part, stressed Iran’s principled policy of reinforcing relations with neighboring countries, particularly the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member-states.
He described mutual ties between Tehran and Kuwait City as “very good“ and expressed hope bilateral ties between the two countries would receive further boost in view of the huge potentials of the two states.
The speaker stressed that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful, saying Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the agency’s regular inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities showed the country’s transparent cooperation and efforts to guarantee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was also present in the meeting.
In another development, an Iranian delegation comprising members of Majlis Education and Research Commission arrived in Beijing, China, Saturday.
Members of the Iranian delegation, headed by the commission’s chairman, Ali Abbaspour Tehrani, arrived in Beijing after a visit to Japan.
The Iranian parliamentary delegation is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese officials on avenues for bolstering scientific and cultural cooperation.
The visit will last until Thursday.
Some 80 Iranian students are studying in Chinese universities.

BEIT-UL-MOQADDAS, June 9--Dozens of Palestinians and foreign activists staged a protest at the wall Saturday to mark 40 years of Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and east Beit-ul-Moqaddas.
The protestors gathered at the Qalandia terminal, built into a wall ringing much of the city, AP reported.
The wall, meant to keep out Palestinian attackers, also slices through outlying Palestinian neighborhoods of the city, and makes it difficult for tens of thousands of Arab residents of Beit-ul-Moqaddas to reach jobs and schools.
This week marks the anniversary of the 1967 war in which Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Beit-ul-Moqaddas.
On Saturday, about 150 protestors marched to Qalandia, holding Palestinian flags. Banners called for an end to occupation and a halt to the construction of the wall in the West Bank, about two-thirds complete.
The marchers were stopped by Israeli troops at the entrance to the terminal.
“We tell the world that 40 years of occupation is enough,“ said one of the protestors, Allam Jarar, 56.
“This occupation must be stopped, and the Palestinian people must be given the right to self-determination.“

GAZA CITY, Occupied Palestine, June 9--Palestinian fighters reportedly driving a disguised Israeli army jeep crossed into Israel from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday and attacked an army position, the Israeli military said.
“Four to five armed men penetrated Israeli territory in the Kissufim sector and attacked a fortified army position. Exchanges of fire took place,“ an army spokesman said, asking not to be named.
The attack on the Kissufim crossing was claimed by Islamic Jihad, saying it was a joint four-man operation with Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed group loosely linked to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party.
Israeli public radio and Palestinian security sources said the attackers were driving a jeep which the radio said was disguised as an Israeli army vehicle.
It was the first such infiltration since June 25, 2006, when Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was captured. He remains in the hands of Palestinian militants.
“Four martyrs of Al-Quds Brigades (armed wing of Islamic Jihad) and from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have led a joint operation and attacked the military post of Kissufim,“ Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed told reporters.
“They fired on a jeep, killing and wounding its occupants,“ he said, adding that another group of fighters had fired anti-tank rockets and automatic weapons at the same post.
But the Israeli army spokesman said that no troops were hurt during the operation, dubbed “Hot Summer“ by Palestinian militants.
Abu Ahmed said that three of the militants had managed to get back into the Gaza Strip after the attack and that a fourth remained in Israel. The army said one attacker had been “put out of action“.
The militants’ raid happened after Israeli tanks and troops pushed into the Gaza Strip further to the south near the town of Rafah and traded gunfire with members of the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

UNITED NATIONS, June 9--The United Nations is following closely a lawsuit accusing the global organization and the Netherlands of neglect in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, a spokeswoman said.
Michele Montas, spokeswoman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said Friday that the United Nations was waiting for the civil suit, filed in the Netherlands against the Dutch government, to proceed in court, AFP reported.
“We have no reaction yet. We are aware of it and, certainly, this will be followed very closely,“ she said.
“We are waiting for this to be introduced into a court, and then we will be following the court process, the judicial process.“
On Monday, representatives of 6,000 survivors belonging to the Mothers of Srebrenica association and 10 female plaintiffs filed charges in a Dutch court at The Hague against the Netherlands. Their suit accuses the Netherlands and the United Nations of failing to provide air cover to prevent the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian enclave in July 1995.