[Nasional-e] America and Iran are allies

[Ambon]

America and Iran are allies
 David Phillips IHT  Monday, November 25, 2002

Disarming Saddam

NEW YORK With or without war, Iran is committed to disarming Iraq. The
Guardian Council stipulates that ‘‘there can be no worse regime for us than
Saddam’s.’’ The United States and Iran have common cause in disarming and,
if necessary, removing him. They also share some common interests in
managing Iraq after a regime change. Both are adamant about preserving Iraq’
s territorial integrity. Both are committed to contain vigilantism and
revenge-taking that might destabilize the country. And both want to ensure
that Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups, disenfranchised for decades under
Ba’ath party rule, secure their political and cultural rights in a
post-Saddam Iraq. Although Iran has declared ‘‘active neutrality,’’ its
extensive contacts with the Supreme Council for Islamic Resistance in Iraq
could yield valuable intelligence on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. The
United Nations would certainly welcome such information. Should the United
Nations find Iraq in material breach of the recent Security Council
resolution authorizing intrusive weapons inspections, Iran would be one of
many countries to endorse military action. Moreover, it could assist any
U.S.-led international security force by providing access to its airspace
and allowing search and rescue missions for American pilots downed on
Iranian territory. If Iraq uses chemical agents against U.S. ground forces,
Americans may well end up in Iranian hospitals, which are well equipped and
staffed by medical personnel experienced in treating victims of chemical
weapons from the war that Iraq waged against Iran. As a frontline state in
any new conflict, Iran will be inundated by Iraqi refugees. The displaced
population will be even greater if Saddam Hussein uses weapons of mass
destruction against Shiites or Kurds. UN agencies can provide some relief,
but Tehran will bear the biggest burden. In this event, the United States
should provide emergency humanitarian assistance to address the needs of
refugees. America should also extend its security umbrella by eliminating
Scud missiles that could attack any of Iraq’s neighbors, including Iran. The
United States and Iran cooperated in the war against the Taliban and Al
Qaeda in Afghanistan, and in forming a new administration in Kabul. But
cooperation was suspended after President George W. Bush included Iran in
his axis of evil. This time the convergence of U.S. and Iranian interests in
Iraq may foster continuity in their collaboration. Any such rapprochement
will meet strong opposition in some circles of the Bush administration. No
matter how helpful Iran may be, the United States will be realistic. It will
reach out to Tehran only if America’s national interest is advanced by doing
so. Some circles in Tehran are equally wary of contact with the United
States. But small gestures have a big impact within Iran. For example, the
United States could stop obstructing Iran’s application to join the World
Trade Organization. By requiring standards of openness and transparency,
Tehran’s candidacy will promote moderation in Iran. The U.S. Treasury
Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control restricts transactions with
Iran. America could loosen procedures for exporting food and medicine to
Iran, and relax prohibitions on U.S. nongovernmental organizations providing
assistance to refugees in Iran. The 1997 Visa Reform and Security Act
mandates a lengthy security review for Iranians wanting to enter the United
States. Increased medical and humanitarian exceptions could be provided, and
applications could be evaluated more expeditiously. As Iran progresses down
the path of reform, the United States may choose to broaden its dialogue
with Tehran. Unconditional talks should include making clear why Hezbollah
is so heinous to Americans. Other concerns, such as Iran’s meddling in the
Middle East peace process and its extensive nuclear program, must be
discussed. In turn, Iranian officials could raise their concerns about
sanctions, frozen assets and Iran’s inclusion on the list of countries
sponsoring terrorism. Iranian hard-liners think that after Iraq, the United
States has its sights set on Iran. But America need not interfere in Iran’s
domestic affairs. The Iranian state has much more to do at home. to fulfill
its promise of prosperity and greater political and social freedoms. Reform
is the inevitable next stage in Iran’s evolution.
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The writer, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York,
contributed this comment to the International Herald Tribune.