Iran wrestles to ideological draw

There were wild cheers and strong applause for several nights in Teheran's Azadi Stadium late last month. The loudest cheers by far were for a young man named Zeke Jones. Jones is one of the world's best amateur wrestlers, representing a sport that is now being compared with ping-pong by many.

The incredible success of the U.S. wrestling team was one of last month's most significant events. The five young American athletes are said by some to be practicing ping-pong diplomacy, 1990s style. Table tennis, you may remember, was the sport that took Americans to closed, inaccessible and supposedly hostile communist China in 1971. And that visit was what led to China- U.S. diplomatic relations.

It is probably still too early for a U.S. presidential visit to Iran, or vice versa. But it is clear from the reception given to Jones and his fellow wrestlers that Iran and America can consider the idea of relations. Iran's loudest "America is Satan" faction was unable to prevent the flying of the American flag in the wrestling arena. Iranian wrestling fans and people-in-the- street were overwhelmingly friendly to the visitors.

Iran is clearly moving towards a more enlightened view of the world in which it lives. A good part of the credit goes to its new president, Mohammed Khatami. He has encouraged better foreign relations, particularly with America. But Teheran must also take into account serious faults in its policies, and move to address them. The unacceptable fatwa against Salman Rushdie must be condemned by Iranian authorities. That way, it can continue to wrestle with the world in a sporting way.

-- The Bangkok Post