REFORMS ARE NOT DEAD, BUT THE ROAD IS LONG AND BUMPY: KOOLA’I

By Safa Haeri, IPS Editor

BRUSSELS 20 June (IPS) “Iran has lost many important, historic opportunities and occasions in the past decades in the region, now we have to do our outmost not to miss what remains, a task that cannot be achieved without reforms”, according to an influential Member of the Iranian Majles, or parliament.

Speaking to “Iran Press Service” in Brussels, where the Foreign Affairs and National Security Committee of the Majles, led by its Chairman, Mr. Mohsen Mirdamadi, was visiting the European Parliament, Mrs Elaheh Koola’i, a member of the Committee said reforms in the regime’s foreign policy could not be separated from introducing them in domestic affairs.

“What we (reformists) are trying to do is to tell some of the decision-makers that whatever they do or say has implications for the nation and they should be aware of their repercussions on both international and national levels”, she added.

She described as “positive” the talks and extensive discussions held between the Iranian delegation with colleagues at the European Parliament, but said that it would be wrong to think that Europe would confront the United States because of Iran.

“It is very important for Iran to have Europe at its side and use its potentials for explaining our position to outside world, but it would be unrealistic to expect Europe undermining its relations with the US over Iran and even if she wanted, she has not the capability”, Mrs. Koola’i a professor of international relations and the Caspian region at the Tehran University noted.

She estimated that events that took place in the region in the past two years under American leadership were “beneficial” for Iran, but there are groups (in Iran) that “either don’t want or are unable of understanding the realities” that create obstacles.

“The fall of the Taleban and the toppling of Saddam Hoseyn are to our benefit, but yet, we face negative reactions from certain groups”, she said, stopping short to name them, being obvious that she meant the conservatives that control the regime, including its foreign policy.

To the question of why the Islamic Republic is “more Palestinian than the Palestinians themselves”, a matter that is opposed by many inside Iran as well as by the Palestinians and also explains part of the international pressures over Iran, she said this is “exactly something that is debated inside and we are aware of it”.

“It is an accepted fact that we should not go faster than the Palestinians, that we shall respect the will and the decisions of the Palestinian people concerning their future and must prove it by deeds, but at the same time, there are groups that do not agree with our (reformists) views”, she said, observing however that past events in the region have raised serious question about implementation of a just peace.

“For some (in Iran) the Palestinian problem is the priority, but for the majority of the Iranians, what is important is their situation, their demands for democracy, welfare, employment and future”, the lawmaker said, adding that what the reformists are about among other thing is to keep the foreign policy free from ideological concerns of certain groups.

To another question that why the Iranian officials do not “learn” from the Palestinians who talk to the Israelis while combating the occupation by talking with the Americans to solve their impending problems she said laconically: “As you know, our relations with the United States is very complicated, going back to American interferences in Iran, the 1953 coup against Dr. Mossaddeq etc.”

When reminded that the American had apologised (under the previous Clinton Administration) but President Mohammad Khatami had not responded, she observed reluctantly that Mr. Khatami, “as President, has his own considerations”.

“However, our view is that we must have constructive relations with all nations. Our art in diplomacy must be defence of our interests, but others have a negative attitude that has created problems for our society, not realising that dialogue does not mean sacrificing our interests” Mrs. Koola’i said.

Asked if she does not think that the Islamic Republic is itself responsible for the international community’s difficulties understanding Iran, she said when one talk about reforms, it means also acknowledging to the existence of difficulties and shortcomings.

“Iran is a great nation with enormous potentials that, if properly exploited, could benefit both the Iranian people and the region. But so far, due to problems proper to developing countries, we have not been able to use them”, the reformist MM noted, adding that reforms must be carried out at all levels.

Contrary to many former reformists and the bulk of the nation’s young generation, Mrs. Koola’i does not think that the reforms, as promised by Mr. Mohammad Khatami seven years ago and not yet implemented, are dead and its date of expiry passed.

“Reforms are a very slow process. Some want to go faster, other think they are too much. There are plenty of obstacles and the road ahead is very long and bumpy. But if we want real democracy and freedom that are needed and must become part of our culture and education, we must go slowly, otherwise, the whole of the process would collapse”, an optimist Koola’i said.

Asked to explain the humiliating defeat the reformers suffered at the last city and rural elections, -- the only one that the Council of the Guardians do not intervene in wetting candidates – and the reasons why the great majority of the 26 millions who voted for Khatami in the last presidential elections stayed away, she acknowledged the reformist’s failure in answering the youngster’s expectations.

“Partly, we are responsible, but so are other groups. Political struggle does not mean elimination. But here in Iran we face a kind of political elimination that make difficult any political inter action. However, I’m confident that both the government and the Majles – controlled by the reformists – have still capabilities and potentials that have not been used properly”, she concluded. ENDS KOOLA’I gINTERVIEW 20603