Iranian People Cheer U.S. After Bam Quake

Yahoo ^ | 1/5/04 | Erik Kirschbaum

[freedom44]

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Ordinary Iranians are cheering a warming of diplomatic ties between Tehran and the United States brought on by the Bam quake, and hope an end is in sight to a quarter century of isolation from a country many openly admire.

Even though conservative Tehran newspapers may rail at "earthquake diplomacy" by George W. Bush, many average Iranians on the capital's streets Sunday said they welcomed the American president's overtures that may rebuild severed ties. "I was overjoyed when I first heard America planes were going to fly in to help Bam," said Hassan Tayebi, 51, a retired civil servant, referring to the Dec. 26 earthquake that destroyed the southeastern city.

"I really like Americans. They are really kind people and I hope the aid offer leads to better relations."

Many Iranians show a more favorable attitude to the United States than their own government does.

Bush relaxed U.S. banking restrictions on the Islamic Republic -- which he accuses of being part of an "axis of evil" backing terrorists -- to help speed relief efforts.

Iran rebuffed one particular U.S. offer of a senior humanitarian mission, but appreciative Iranian leaders have hinted the friendly U.S. steps may prompt reciprocal gestures.

Washington cut ties with Iran in 1980 after the 1979 Islamic revolution ushered in an anti-American government, which let radical students storm the U.S. embassy and hold 52 Americans hostage for 444 days until 1981.

The embassy was confiscated by Iran and houses a museum critical of the United States.

"I hope the earthquake policy can serve as a starting point for Iran and the United States," said Anita, 27.

"I don't think Iranians harbour bad feelings toward Americans. On the contrary. And I don't think Americans hold grudges against us. The problem is, Iran closed its door to America years ago and Americans wrongly think we hate them."

TUNED INTO UNITED STATES

Many Iranians are well tuned into the United States, which is now home to about two million of their kin, most of whom left in waves after the pro-Western shah was ousted.

It sometimes seems almost everyone in Tehran has at least one relative or friend living there.

"I really hope the two countries forget the past conflicts and concentrate on how much we have in common," said Kianoush Mirrezai, 34, a doctor. "I'm so grateful for the support from America at our moment of grief and despair."

Moderate President Mohammad Khatami (news - web sites)'s government has been trying to promote democracy in Iran and improve relations with the West, but his efforts have been largely stymied by religious hard-liners who control the army, courts and other levers of power.

American flags are burned at official protests against what hard-line clerics call the "Great Satan."

Though Iran and the United States deny political overtones to the aid effort, there has been an unmistakable thaw since the earthquake that killed at least 30,000 people.

Many Iranians said they were surprised the government accepted U.S. help and delighted by the astonishing sight of elite Revolutionary Guards protecting tents in Bam where American medics were saving Iranian lives.

"I was really touched by such humanity," said Ahmad Gholami, 45, a grocer. "It is unbelievable Americans offered aid. I will never forget their support."

[freedom44]

"Many Iranians show a more favorable attitude to the United States than their own government does. "

Talk about understatements of the year. Ordinary Iranian people have a favorable rating of the US comparable to England. The regime's entire foreign policy is based on hatred of US and Israel.

Majority of callers on Satellite Dishes from Iran were against US-Iran engagement if it meant strengthing of Iran's regime.

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[JohnHuang2]

Bump!

[JohnHuang2]

Great news ping...

[Mr. Mojo]

Majority of callers on Satellite Dishes from Iran were against US-Iran engagement if it meant strengthing of Iran's regime.

And I can understand their concerns. Better relations with the terrorist Mullahs are NOT what's needed right now -- killing them is.

[GeronL]

It is unbelievable Americans offered aid

No, its unbelievable the Iranian government accepted.

[freedom44]

Pro-Democracy, pro-Secular demonstrators beaten during recent uprisings.



Iranian students demonstrate against Islamic Republic and Khatami for failing to standup to hard-liners.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... I don't think Iranians harbour bad feelings toward Americans. On the contrary. And I don't think Americans hold grudges against us."

I know that I surely don't, but my belief would change drastically depending on whom the 'we' she's talking about might be.

This is an encouraging report from Iran.

[JohnHuang2]

Ping...

[Fledermaus]

All while Bush let's "his" State Dept. still treat the Iranian mullahs with respect and call them "moderates", etc.

David Frum says CIA and State is in open rebellion against Bush. That doesn't sound like leadership to me.

Fire Powell and Tenet and the top 100 bureaucrats from each agency and start over with men that have real testicles.

But I'm afraid Bushie has too many of daddy's old wussies around.

Iran and Syria are ripe for regime change and it won't take three divisions to do it. Their people are ready to explode already.

And it's time to tell the House of Saud where to stick it and quit playing nice with those monsters.

But alas, it won't happen. And we've only got until January 2009 to move on these fronts.

The MTV attention span of most idiots in America won't last to 2008 and they'll likely put a Democrat back in office like Hillary and then we can all put our head between our legs and kiss our rear ends goodbye for sure.

Unless anyone has a real viable alternative for the GOP in 2008. I don't see one on the horizon.

[freedom44]

I don't know about Syria, in fact, i have lots of Syrian friends who're devout fans of Syrian government and say that the government approvals ratings are extremely high, there have been over 25 pro-democracy, pro-freedom demonstrations in Iran for the past year and half, and none in Syria.

Let's not fool ourselves and let's not downplay Iran's fredom movement as a universal movement against tyranny.

What Persians want is not necessarily what Arabs want.

[Cronos]

Iran would most likely take care of it's mullahs on it's own.

[Fledermaus]

I've read that many pro-democracy and "modern" Syrians want to change the government. Many see Iraq as an opportunity to open businesses in a free market atmosphere.

As with Saddam, in the country you better not say anything bad against Assad.

As to your friends that love that government, why are they not still living there? I assume they aren't.

[Fledermaus]

They are trying. A little help would be welcome. They keep being arrested, killed and crushed. They need to know we'll back them up if they make a real move. We need to let the Iranian military that hate the mullahs know we'll be there with intel and other aid if needed.

[Cronos]

I agree with you on that. I just wanted to say that we should not have a forceful regime change led by our troops like we did in Irq. What you've said seems the best option -- viz. be supportive and let the Persian military know that we'll be ready to back them if the Hezbullah strikes. We also need to keep our iron fist in a velvet glove with economic aid -- as Dubya is doing now with the aid to the earthquake stricken. trust me, what our President is doing right now will go a long way to make the Persians our allies.

[Fledermaus]

They are our allies. They have been for decades regardless of the fanatics that took over in 1979.

I know many that came to America (my wife works at a company owned by an Iranian) to escape the persecution because they refused Islam. Many of their family members weren't so lucky.

[ppaul]

RE: Demonstrators for "freedom"?

So what's with Che'?

[Right_in_Virginia]

BTTT

[Arpege92]

"I will never forget their support."

Things are looking good!!!!

[freedom44]

It's amazing that someone who's ancestors are from 'Poland' who we aided through communism, is so ignorantly against supporting Iranians in the same situation as Poland in the 80's.