Bush Ignores Ahmedinajad's Letter Of Recommendation
Bush Ignores Ahmedinajad's Letter of Recommendation
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&hn=32978
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Washington refused to take seriously the first historic letter written by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed to President George W. Bush of the United States.
The United States administration announced its disbelief at the promise Iran gave to cease its nuclear policies, believing the "letter of recommendation" offered no serious proposals.
White House officials announced Washington's refusal to respond to the letter; while, Bush avoided any discussion of the issue in a statement he gave Tuesday that qualified diplomacy as the number one option for solution.
The letter contained intense religious as well as philosophical discussion, but failed to refer to diplomacy as a notion for solution, said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
There is no mention in the letter of the nuclear crisis, reporters said.
Hopes are therefore fading in regard to this "first direct communication" between the two countries since 1979 as an attempt to break the ice.
The historic letter might, nevertheless, create a relatively warmer atmosphere in the relations.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said the world is anxious about the Iranian regime, but the letter does not mention anything about these concerns, and as Secretary Rice defends, the letter will not contribute to a solution of the crisis. The 18-page letter, she said, might be an attempt to dilute the issue at a time when the Security Council is considering what moves it will take against Iran. The US will make every effort to ensure a decision is taken by the Council, Rice added.
In his letter, written in both English and Persian, Ahmedinajad suggests respect for religious principles are necessary in order to re-build the trust between the two countries. Religious principles are frequently referred to in the text. Nations around the world are not pleased with the present international status quo, and they do not believe in international organizations because their rights are not defended by these institutions. For this reason, the remarks made by several influential leaders are over looked, wrote the Iranian leader in his historic letter.
Ahmedinajad also questions refusing to recognize the HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) government in Palestine while the existence of Israel is regarded as legitimate.
Moderate Iranian newspapers wrote the letter prompts a new direction in foreign policy breaking down a taboo with the United States.
Conservative media on the contrary defended, Ahmedinajad, like the Prophet Mohammed, invited people to follow the true path.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council's five permanent members and Germany failed to reach consensus on the Iranian row.
