Azerbaijan, Baku, September 8 / Trend T.Jafarov /
Despite the statement by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his preparedness to hold talks with the U.S. President Barack Obama on international issues, except the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, which indicates that Tehran does not intend to compromise on its nuclear program, experts believe that the meeting between Ahmadinejad and Obama will increase the political authority of Iranian President, and it is very important for him.
"Discussions with Obama will only strengthen the political authority of Ahmadinejad, and he will use this to show people the force of his presidency," Professor at the University of Glasgow Reza Taghizadeh told Trend .
Iranian İRİNN television reported that at a press conference in Tehran on September 7, Ahmadinejad said he was ready to discuss some international issues with the President of the United States. Despite this, the Iranian President added that he does not intend to negotiate on country's nuclear program. "I said during Bush's governance and now I repeat: we are ready for dialogue on international issues with the participation of the media, and it is the only way of solution," said Ahmadinejad. Official Tehran considers the problem of nuclear program "resolved question" and does not intend to conduct negotiations on this topic.
According to Iranian expert Taghizadeh, who works in London, as a result of events occurring after the presidential elections in Iran, the only reason for negotiating with Iran is the nuclear program.
"Before the presidential elections, the West and the U.S. were inclined to establish relations with Iran. After the events that occurred as a result of the elections, the U.S. and the West have become less willing to establish relations," said Taghizadeh.
Ahmadinejad gained victory in the presidential election in Iran on June 12. Losing opposition leader Mir Hussein Mousavi and his supporters accused the authorities of falsifying the elections. The massive riots in Tehran killed 27 people and wounded more than 100.
Former Iranian MP and expert on nuclear issues Ahmed Shirzad believes that the major source of contention between Iran and the West is Iran's nuclear program, and if this issue is removed from the agenda of discussions, the negotiations will remain uncompleted.
Up to now, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany (5 +1 country) have twice presented to Iran a package of proposals. The West is wary of Iran's nuclear program. In order to begin negotiations with the countries of "5 +1", Obama has given time to Iran by the end of September. Otherwise, new economic and political sanctions will be introduced against Tehran.
The UN Security Council adopted five resolutions on Iran, three of which were to impose sanctions.
According to Shirzad, Ahmadinejad attaches great importance to the diplomatic steps that are outside the scope of discussions.
"Ahmadinejad is trying to show himself as a strong president in Iran. Therefore, only one meeting and holding discussions with the U.S. President, as well as creating diplomatic visibility satisfy the interests of the Iranian President. If the nuclear issue is removed from the agenda of discussions, the negotiations will remain uncompleted," Shirzad said by telephone.
Unlike these experts, the Iranian expert on international affairs Hassan Behishtpur thinks that Iran is negotiating with the five UN Security Council members and Germany on the international issues, as well as preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and solving the problems of Afghanistan and Iraq. According to Behishtipur, regarding the nuclear program, Iran should not negotiate with the countries of "5 +1", but with the IAEA.
"According to the Treaty on Technology of Nuclear Programs, Iran, like every country, has the right to own nuclear program for peaceful purposes. Therefore, there is no need to talk to someone about what you own due to right," Behishtipur told Trend by telephone.
Shirzad believes that the discussions between Iran, the U.S. and West must be comprehensive. The framework of comprehensive discussions includes the question of the nuclear program. According to the expert, if the comprehensive discussions focus on Iran's security and position in the region, as well as create long-term relations between Iran and the West, it will even more satisfy national interests of the Islamic Republic.
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