Clinton’s direct message to Iran
Posted Saturday, 4 December, 01:30 Bahrain time
By Dr Andrew Parasiliti, Executive Director IISS-US, Corresponding Director IISS-Middle East
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke on regional security in the Persian Gulf at the Opening Dinner of the IISS Manama Dialogue. The speech was notable not only for the content, but for who was at the head table.
At a dinner with nearly 400 conference delegates hosted by HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain, others at the head table of approximately three dozen VIPs, included His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, and, interestingly, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki of Iran.
At one point in her speech, Clinton said: 'I'd like to directly address the delegation at this conference from the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' The secretary said she was 'pleased to have this opportunity for your government and mine to gather here with representatives from other nations to discuss problems of mutual interest and concern.' She said that she hoped that Iran would come to the P5+1 talks in Geneva next week 'as we will, in good faith and prepared to engage constructively on your nuclear program.' She said that the US is 'still committed' to President Obama's offer of engagement with Iran. She added that Iran has 'the right to a peaceful nuclear program.' And she urged Iran to make the choice to 'restore the confidence of the international community and live up to your obligations' as a peaceful nuclear power. She noted worrying concerns in the recent IAEA report. Clinton added that 'the world in turn would benefit from the full participation of the Iranian nation in the political, social, and economic life of this region.'
Clinton's remarks were heavy on engagement and light on pressure. That Mottaki decided to attend the dinner and speech is perhaps a diplomatic gesture as well, in advance of both his speech at the Dialogue on Saturday, and the P5+1 talks in Geneva.
Another notable guest at the head table was the recently elected Speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives, Osama Al-Nujaifi.
