Detente on the Table Again with Khatami’s Comeback

After months of speculation, Mohammad Khatami stepped in for another round of presidential elections. During his two-term presidency Khatami had followed a dynamic foreign diplomacy, expected to be pursued with his likely reelection. Iranian Diplomacy has interview Mohammad Ali Abtahi, Khatami’s Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs:

If elected as president, how would Khatami approach foreign relations? And what would the outcomes be?

I think he would resume his previous policies. Even his opponents admit his dynamic, effective and successful foreign diplomacy. Khatami’s foreign policies preserved our values and our independence while using global potentials for the Iranian nation’s advantage. Naturally, the president has to use global potentials to advance his nation’s interests and lead his country towards prosperity and glory.

Each country’s foreign diplomacy will inevitably have immediate effect on its economy. Considering our current circumstances and our economic problems, employing an effective foreign diplomacy becomes crucial.

Detention was the groundwork of Khatami’s foreign diplomacy during his presidency. I think it will remain the basis if he were elected as the president. It will help Iran regain its historical status, end its political conflicts with the international community and solve economic problems.

Conditions seem worse than 1997 when Khatami started his first presidential term, especially in foreign relations. Considering this, do you think Khatami will repeat his previous success?

I believe that the path is even smoother. First, the world has found out more about Iran’s domestic realities. They understand they should know the real Iran, so now they will appreciate cooperation more than before. Second, detention is not a one-way street. It should be mutual so that there are chances for formation of sound relations. Khatami high potential contributes to building of mutual trust between Iran and other countries. That’s why despite all the setbacks, I think foreign diplomacy will regain its previous position.