Iran has been in the news over the last few days for all the good reasons and for all the bad ones. But we have to stay positive and realise that following policies of isolation and inaction will not improve relations or prevent the newspapers being filled with all Iran’s negative aspects. Some on the left oppose the negotiations manly due to a lack of understanding of Iran’s history hoping that by opposing a government that the people helped to put in place will somehow convert them to western liberal democracy. The approach by the Tories, outlined by William Hague last year, that Europe should “carry a bigger stick to Iran” will not advance our position either. As a BBC poll last moth shows these are clearly a foolish approaches.
There is a perception that the conservatives in Iran have mass support. The current conservative President Amadinejad won an unexpected victory in 2005 with only thirty-seven percent of the vote. The latter was assisted by the ill thought out policy of the Bush administration’s “Axis of Evil” politics, failing to recognise the mood for rapprochement in Iran at the time. As an opinion poll back in 2002 in Tehran highlighted, two thirds of Iranians wanted direct US-Iran talks. Amadinejad’s share of the vote is an even paltrier figure when one considers that the liberal reformer Mohammad Khatamy won the two previous elections in 2001 with forty-nine percent and in 1997 with 57 percent of the vote. There is much talk that he could stand again this June and if a positive diplomatic narrative can persist then maybe it could counter the Iranian people’s apathy. But Britain must not acquiesce to those in this country or those in Iran who fear this and must be seen to be following the policy of re-engagement that Barack Obama is pursuing.
I admit that horrendous crimes occur in Iran, that I, and many people in the West find abhorrent, but it is not through isolationism and sanctions that we will force a people to share our resentment for such actions but by the persuasiveness of our arguments. A dialogue of civilizations is needed not a barrier between them. This is why I recommend to everyone the new British Museum exhibition currently on display, which is free thanks to your Labour government. I recommend it, especially for all Foreign Office staff on the Iran desk, because it is by returning to an understanding based on mutual respect out of which Anglo-Iranian relations began that will show us how to help share our problems and our values.
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