This can be advantageous as a way to escape responsibility, but it is unseemly for a leader, or group of leaders. Looking at President Khatami's interview in these lights, he is saying in no uncertain terms that Iran will not enter into communication with the U.S. government as a lower-status partner. The current regime vehemently rejects this relationship and President Khatami must defend this position in order to retain his own power. On the other hand, President Khatami did provide a way to talk about things of mutual concern without pressing the hot button of status difference. In talking about the past, he brought out analogies in U.S. history for all of the bad behavior of which the Iranians have been accused.
Lawyers are often effective mediators in such situations.
This model clearly shows the way to make progress with Iran. President Khatami has clearly made a strong opening and has shown the way for further productive communication. We can only hope that U.S. national leaders have the sensitivity and wisdom to transcend narrow U.S. cultural models to carry the dialogue forward. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reprint our stories without our permission.