ID :
158019
Wed, 01/19/2011 - 19:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/158019
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Argentina: Stranded between international ambitions and internal obstacles
Tehran, Jan. 19 (MNA) - When I was appointed as the head of Iranian mission to Argentina in 2006, I never thought that improving relationship of my country with my host state will be the subject of permanent thinking and a wish which is not so far from me.
During my mission in Argentina I tried hard to understand how the conflict between my country and Argentina, a great country of South America, can be resolved enduringly in order to enable both parties to create an environment of mutual respect and friendship. I started soon negotiating with my counterparts to explore basis for a give and take road map for removing first misunderstandings between parties. But I realized that my Argentine colleagues are reluctant to negotiate and or lack a clear instruction to go ahead with talks.
I didn’t need much time to understand that my colleagues have the capacity to manage diplomatic talks but their superiors are unable to give them the permission to conduct serious talks because of local obstacles. It was disappointing to know that the foreign policy of Argentina is stranded by sectarian interests and gossips flamed by the enemies of our bilateral relationship through local media.
I understood that relationship between my country and Argentina has changed already into an internal issue of Argentina influenced by local communities particularly the Israeli organizations, AMIA and DAIA. Therefore, the attempts were easily aborted because of different level of political will and capacity to make decision, among other things.
In fact this is a historical defection in Argentine foreign policy, but as far as our country is concerned the main cause goes back to administration of President CARLOS MENEM. MENEM’s legacy caused Argentina a lack of International credibility and deprived his country from friendship with one of the most important states in the Middle East. MENEM definition of international role of Argentina was to follow with blind eyes what the big powers dictate in international relations. His foreign minister, CABALLO, was honored by having “CARNAL RELATION” with the United States. MENEM sold Argentina for a cheap price. We had always the problem with MENEM administration insisting them to refrain from playing with the Iranian card in their internal and external relations with the third parties.
I hoped after that painful era, Argentina will return to take the international role which deserved it enabling that country to try new ways of conflict resolution.
Although, Argentina during the past years has been trying to build a character of regionally effective states in South America, we witness some views expressed by Argentine authorities which shows that the legacy of MENEM remains in their approach toward my country.
Iran has raised the flag of independence and multilateralism against the imposition of unilateral and arbitrary policies on developing countries by hegemonic powers. Therefore, one of the first strategic steps to start a fresh position in the foreign policy of a given country is to building a reasonable policy toward my country. I think the government of Brazil has well recognized the role that my country may play in this regard. No one can ignore the role of Iranian nation in the conflict resolution in our region. Brazil, among other things, recognized Palestine as an independent state and has taken other steps in line with the policy established on the basis of its global strategy.
Argentina took the same action immediately. But the difference between these two was, at the eve of recognition of the state of Palestine, Argentine authorities came under pressure to explain to their local Jewish community and they desperately tried to convince them that they have nothing against Israel as well as minimizing the importance of their own official action.
Later, the foreign minister of Argentina met with Palestine Authority chief during the inauguration of the new presidency of Brazil.
Unfortunately, the Argentine foreign minister seems to feel guilty for actions taken by his respective government. He in order to respond to the critics from a tiny community has recently started raising a 16 years old case (AMIA) and Iran along with his explanation of Argentine actions on the issue of Palestine.
More surprisingly, he even in his interviews with Argentine press in order to elaborate the objectives of the visit of his president to some countries of our region namely, Kuwait, Qatar and turkey, again has raised this issue and while mentioning the name of my country again says that when he is more close to Arab countries sees himself closer to a solution for AMIA case.
It is indeed disappointing when I see that my country for years has become an issue of internal affairs of Argentina and permanently misused as the scapegoat of Argentine policy making. This method is an outdated behavior invented by MENEM administration more than a decade ago in Argentina, which derailed the investigation AMIA case and damaged Iran–Argentina relationship during and after his presidency.
If the government of Argentina is taking actions in the field of foreign policy on its own national interests, should stand firm for what has decided. That's for the authorities of Argentina to decide on their own in regard with the situation groups, factions or lobbies inside the society of Argentina, however, it is not acceptable for us that our country becomes the subject of rumors and gossips among different sectors of other country and plays the role of a scapegoat when the authorities of that country want to convince their own people for the decision that they have made or not.
A serious government understands that a lobby, however powerful, is not concerned about national interest of its country and by the same token its views can not be considered as a determining factor at this scale of foreign policy. Otherwise, the governments will always wondered between their international ambitions and sectarian interests inside their borders.
We welcome the expansion of relationships of other countries with ones of our region. But they must know that ties and even political understanding between my country and its neighbors is as historical and strong that could never be affected with such useless activities. Dealing with my country needs direct talks with honesty, goodwill, mutual respect and non-interference. Otherwise the hopes will fade away and opportunities vanish.
During my mission in Argentina I tried hard to understand how the conflict between my country and Argentina, a great country of South America, can be resolved enduringly in order to enable both parties to create an environment of mutual respect and friendship. I started soon negotiating with my counterparts to explore basis for a give and take road map for removing first misunderstandings between parties. But I realized that my Argentine colleagues are reluctant to negotiate and or lack a clear instruction to go ahead with talks.
I didn’t need much time to understand that my colleagues have the capacity to manage diplomatic talks but their superiors are unable to give them the permission to conduct serious talks because of local obstacles. It was disappointing to know that the foreign policy of Argentina is stranded by sectarian interests and gossips flamed by the enemies of our bilateral relationship through local media.
I understood that relationship between my country and Argentina has changed already into an internal issue of Argentina influenced by local communities particularly the Israeli organizations, AMIA and DAIA. Therefore, the attempts were easily aborted because of different level of political will and capacity to make decision, among other things.
In fact this is a historical defection in Argentine foreign policy, but as far as our country is concerned the main cause goes back to administration of President CARLOS MENEM. MENEM’s legacy caused Argentina a lack of International credibility and deprived his country from friendship with one of the most important states in the Middle East. MENEM definition of international role of Argentina was to follow with blind eyes what the big powers dictate in international relations. His foreign minister, CABALLO, was honored by having “CARNAL RELATION” with the United States. MENEM sold Argentina for a cheap price. We had always the problem with MENEM administration insisting them to refrain from playing with the Iranian card in their internal and external relations with the third parties.
I hoped after that painful era, Argentina will return to take the international role which deserved it enabling that country to try new ways of conflict resolution.
Although, Argentina during the past years has been trying to build a character of regionally effective states in South America, we witness some views expressed by Argentine authorities which shows that the legacy of MENEM remains in their approach toward my country.
Iran has raised the flag of independence and multilateralism against the imposition of unilateral and arbitrary policies on developing countries by hegemonic powers. Therefore, one of the first strategic steps to start a fresh position in the foreign policy of a given country is to building a reasonable policy toward my country. I think the government of Brazil has well recognized the role that my country may play in this regard. No one can ignore the role of Iranian nation in the conflict resolution in our region. Brazil, among other things, recognized Palestine as an independent state and has taken other steps in line with the policy established on the basis of its global strategy.
Argentina took the same action immediately. But the difference between these two was, at the eve of recognition of the state of Palestine, Argentine authorities came under pressure to explain to their local Jewish community and they desperately tried to convince them that they have nothing against Israel as well as minimizing the importance of their own official action.
Later, the foreign minister of Argentina met with Palestine Authority chief during the inauguration of the new presidency of Brazil.
Unfortunately, the Argentine foreign minister seems to feel guilty for actions taken by his respective government. He in order to respond to the critics from a tiny community has recently started raising a 16 years old case (AMIA) and Iran along with his explanation of Argentine actions on the issue of Palestine.
More surprisingly, he even in his interviews with Argentine press in order to elaborate the objectives of the visit of his president to some countries of our region namely, Kuwait, Qatar and turkey, again has raised this issue and while mentioning the name of my country again says that when he is more close to Arab countries sees himself closer to a solution for AMIA case.
It is indeed disappointing when I see that my country for years has become an issue of internal affairs of Argentina and permanently misused as the scapegoat of Argentine policy making. This method is an outdated behavior invented by MENEM administration more than a decade ago in Argentina, which derailed the investigation AMIA case and damaged Iran–Argentina relationship during and after his presidency.
If the government of Argentina is taking actions in the field of foreign policy on its own national interests, should stand firm for what has decided. That's for the authorities of Argentina to decide on their own in regard with the situation groups, factions or lobbies inside the society of Argentina, however, it is not acceptable for us that our country becomes the subject of rumors and gossips among different sectors of other country and plays the role of a scapegoat when the authorities of that country want to convince their own people for the decision that they have made or not.
A serious government understands that a lobby, however powerful, is not concerned about national interest of its country and by the same token its views can not be considered as a determining factor at this scale of foreign policy. Otherwise, the governments will always wondered between their international ambitions and sectarian interests inside their borders.
We welcome the expansion of relationships of other countries with ones of our region. But they must know that ties and even political understanding between my country and its neighbors is as historical and strong that could never be affected with such useless activities. Dealing with my country needs direct talks with honesty, goodwill, mutual respect and non-interference. Otherwise the hopes will fade away and opportunities vanish.
