NEW Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has expressed his country’s readiness to engage in ‘serious and substantive talks’ with the West over Iran’s nuclear issue.
Rouhani also talked about Syria, possible Iran-USA talks, and various domestic issues on 6th August, at his first press conference after his inauguration.
He said: "Domestically, the Khordad 1392 election (14 June 2013), was indicative of the consolidated process of democracy and the deepening of political dynamism in Iran.
‘Internationally, the approach of moderation and rationality had this clear message for the whole world, that the Iranian nation’s intent is dignified interaction with the world and pursing the national interests.’
On relations with the world, Rouhani quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said that ‘Iran’s attitude towards the international community would be a wise and logical one’, adding that his election led to a ‘constructive interaction with the region and the world’.
Asked how important direct talks with the USA was for him, Rouhani said: ‘The Iranian nation’s vote in the 24 Khordad (14 June) epic election was a very serious and meaningful action, which has not received an appropriate and practical response by the US officials yet.
‘The recent statement by the White House indicates that certain US officials still do not have a proper and comprehensive understanding of this country’s realities, the election and this honourable nation’s message.
‘(US officials’) behaviour and words are contradictory. And the messages, in words and action, are contradictory too.’
Stressing that Iran was ready to engage in ‘serious and substantive talks’ with the West over the country’s nuclear issue, while not giving up its rights, Rouhani said: ‘Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme is a national and cross-party issue.
‘The relevant principles will be safeguarded. It means that the government stresses Iran’s nuclear rights based on international regulations and we will not give up people’s rights.’
The new Iranian president added: ‘However, we are pursuing interaction and dialogue. We are ready to, seriously and without wasting time, engage in serious and substantive talks with the other sides.
‘I am certain that the concerns of the two sides would be removed through talks in a short time.
However, extra-legal or illogical and outdated demands will not be useful. We should deal with the issue through a realistic approach.’
Stressing that holding talks, and not threats, was the only solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, Rouhani said: ‘The basis of our agenda should be talks, not threats…threats will not act as a solution; they will only intensify the problem.’
Stressing Iran’s determination to resolve the nuclear issue, he continued: ‘I, as Iran’s president, announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s system has a serious political determination for resolving this issue, while safeguarding the Iranian nation’s rights. And at the same time, it will consider resolving the concerns the other party has.’
President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran is prepared to take practical steps and speak with the world on its nuclear programme.
He said: ‘We will take long and practical steps and speak politely, rationally and with wisdom with the whole world, so that the world understands that Iran is only after its indisputable rights, so that the world believes we have no intention of threatening or interfering in the internal affairs of any country; but our activities are completely legal and peaceful.’
On the possibility of holding talks with the USA, President Rouhani said that his government would offer a ‘proportionate response to any constructive and practical move from the USA’.
He said: ‘The basis for this Government of Prudence and Hope is national consensus and the firm intent of the Iranian nation in protecting its rights through constructive and practical interaction…
‘What matters to us is a practical response from the US government, not statements. We will monitor all the actions of the US government meticulously.
‘If there are practical, constructive and meaningful measures, the Iranian government will definitely offer a similar and proportionate response.
‘Unfortunately, there is a pressure group in the USA which is a warmongering group and is against constructive talks, is after the interests of a foreign country and mostly receives its orders from that foreign country.
‘The interests of one foreign country and one group have been imposed on the members of the US Congress. And we can see that even the interests of the USA are not considered in such actions,’ Rouhani added.
The new Iranian president said that he was ‘not pessimistic’ about the prospect of talks with the USA.
He added: ‘We are after a win-win game; and this is possible. I do not think that the West thinks that continuing sanctions or threats will get them anywhere. Constructive interaction and dialogue, and dismissing worries will benefit both sides.’
Rouhani said the USA’s ‘double-standard path casts questions on the honesty of American officials’.
However, he added: ‘If America approaches us with good intentions, based on mutual respect, from an equal position, and without a hidden agenda, the path is open for interaction.’
Describing intensified sanctions against Iran as a sign of the ‘White House’s confusion’, the new president said: ‘We say that the USA should hear this message; that’s all.
‘We say that what the move by pressure groups in the USA to intensify sanctions in the current circumstances indicates is the White House’s confusion.’
‘We advise that the White House comes out of its current confusion, sees the realities and make decisions based on them,’ Rouhani continued.
‘If we feel that the Americans are truly serious about resolving problems, I have already announced that Iran is serious in its will to resolve problems and dismiss worries.
‘If they are serious too, naturally things will go ahead and we will see practical results.’
On ties with neighbouring countries, the Iranian President said that his government is committed to working with then in order to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
‘One of the priorities of this government is to strive to establish peace and stability in the region and reduce the tensions that our region faces jointly with friendly states in this region,’ Rouhani said.
‘At the meetings held with representatives of regional countries during the past two days we stressed the need for Iran to play a more active role towards ensuring the stability and, ultimately, the development of this region, and the point was equally emphasised by the regional countries.
‘Our government will start off on and pursue this path,’ he added.
Asked about his government’s approach regarding the relations with the Arab world, the Iranian president said that the development of ties with neighbouring and regional countries would be a prime concern for the new Iranian government.
Speaking on the economy, Rouhani said that the economic team in the previous administration lacked ‘coordination’, noting that it was one of the main concerns of his government.
He said that his economic team would be ‘in tune’, noting that if there was no harmony among the economic team, the people would bear the brunt.
President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would be willing to hold talks with the USA and UK over Syria if Iran attends Geneva 2 talks.
Rouhani was asked if Iran was willing to sit down with ‘key parties’, UK and USA, to seek a solution to the war in Syria.
He replied: ‘The Syrian people should make a decision about the Syrian issue – whether they are from among the supporters of the government or the rebels.
‘First, the others (the UK, USA) should pave the way for a solution. Second, they should not interfere. Third, they should stop sending weapons and encouraging terrorists.’
He added: ‘Whether Iran will hold talks with others, including America – well, the issue of Geneva 2 has been raised.
‘If we attend an international forum, naturally Iran will hold talks with others about this issue.’
Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said: ‘We condemn the civil war in Syria. We condemn the presence of foreign terrorists in Syria.
‘We condemn foreign interference. We do not believe in a military solution for Syria. A political solution is the only way for the Syrian crisis, with participation of all Syrian groups, including officials and rebels.
‘Of course, the terrorist grouplets, who have been sent to the country from abroad and have nothing to do with Syria, should be expelled from the country.
‘The solution for Syria is to hold talks with the participation of all Syrian groups and government in order to find a solution, approved by the (Syrian) people, which should finally lead to elections and democracy and whatever people wish.’
The president added: ‘Of course, if the countries in the region such as Iran, Turkey and others, cooperate on this issue, it could be helpful so that this process and finding a solution will go on more swiftly.’
Rouhani also promised to raise the issue of political prisoners with the parliament and the judiciary.
Responding to a question about the definition of ‘political crime’ in a possible bill, Iran’s president said: ‘The constitution has made a reference to it, but how this should be drafted will be discussed in the Majlis, and the government will support it too so that the bill can become law and will subsequently be executed.’
He added: ‘The problem of the political prisoners that you pointed to, and the resolution of their problems, needs national consensus and negotiations between the three branches of power (judiciary, parliament, government).
‘We have not formed a government yet, but when the government is formed, there will be negotiations between the three branches of power and we will pursue such matters.’
The last question was on Article 44 of the constitution which is on privatisation. Rouhani said the government would take some measures to implement the article.
