Iranian president sends congratulatory telegram to US president-elect Obama. ‘We hope new government can fulfill its people's demand to distance itself from present statesmen's wrong approaches,’ he says
Dudi Cohen
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a congratulatory telegram to United States president-elect Barack Obama on his presidential victory, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported Thursday. IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as calling on Obama to make significant changes to America's approach to its role in the world.
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"You are generally expected to make a fast and clear response to the demands for basic... change in US domestic and foreign policy, which all people in the world and Americans want on top of your agenda,” the Iranian president wrote to his new counterpart.
Ahmadinejad went on to discuss his views on the extent of American involvement in the world. "They also want US intervention to be limited to its borders, especially in the Middle East. It is highly expected to reverse the unfair attitude towards restoring the rights of the Palestinians, Iraqis and Afghans,” he said.
Ahmadinejad took advantage of the opportunity to blast outgoing President George W. Bush, saying "we hope the new US government can fulfill its people's demand to distance itself from the present statesman's wrong approaches," he said.
'Short-lived opportunity'
"I hope you make the most of the chance of service and leave a good name by preferring people's real interests and justice to the insatiable demands of a selfish and indecent minority," wrote Ahmadinejad.
"You know the opportunities bestowed upon people by God are short-lived."
On Wednesday, government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham strengthened the Iranian president’s comments and called o Obama to "bring fundamental changes to the United States' approach to world questions in respect of human rights and to end the policy of domination and aggression against other countries."
Such changes could "improve the image of the United States and overcome the growing mistrust towards America," Elham said.
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki also congratulated the new president-elect and said that Obama's election is an, "evident sign" that Americans want basic changes in policy.
"We hope the new US government can fulfill its people's demand to distance itself from the present statesmen's wrong approaches," he said.
During his campaign, Obama repeatedly said that if he is elected he will weigh the option of dialogue opposite the Iranian regime.
Israeli officials are worried about this option in fear that it may harm the efforts made to isolate the Iranian government, which continues to develop its nuclear plan despite the demands made by the United Nations Security Council and NATO’s sanctions on Tehran.
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