America-Iran dialog

There was a time when great friendship existed between Americans and Iranians but the two governments became bitter enemies after the Islamic revolution of 1978/1979. It all started during the revolution when the American president sided with the Shah of Iran. In retaliation, the Iranian government took over the United States Embassy in Tehran and seized the embassy employees as hostages, to protest American policies toward their country.

This action angered Americans. In response, President Carter cut diplomatic relations between the two countries, banned imports from Iran and froze Iranian assets in the United States. Since that time, every action by one party has produced an equal and opposite reaction by the other party.

It is obvious that both sides have made mistakes and must share the blame for the current state of affairs. This condition will continue until one party decides to change that state and end the bitterness that has caused much anguish to Americans and Iranians. We have an example in history that can repeat itself.

There was a time when a similar situation of bitterness existed between America and China. In 1971, President Nixon took the first bold step to change the situation. The Pakistani President, Yahya Khan, helped in arranging a secret meeting between Kissinger and Chou En-lai, and started the process which culminated in the reestablishment of friendship between the two countries.

Iran will elect a new leader and parliament in May 1997, and this situation will create a new opportunity for President Clinton to act boldly to start a dialog with Iran.

President Clinton and Iranians have already worked together in a tragic situation. Let me explain. Whatever one may think about Iran, we should praise Iranians that they had the moral guts to break the rules of the so-called embargo and provide arms to the Bosnian Moslems who were being slaughtered by Serbs under the very watchful eyes of the West. We must also admire President Clinton that he took a moral decision to look the other way and let the Iranians help the Moslems to defend themselves.

The president of the United States is the most powerful man on earth and he can start a dialog with the Iranians from a position of strength -- not weakness. The president may find the Iranians ready to end the hostilities and become friends again.

It will be good for America and Iran and it may start a new era of peace in the Middle-East and the world. This could be Clinton's finest hour.

M. KHALIQ QURESHI

Jakarta