Iran’s foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki recently said that Latin America and Brazil are a “foremost significance in Iran’s foreign policy.” Iran already has expanded relations with other Latin American countries, such as Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua.
This is another good move with respect to Iran’s foreign policy. I think way too much attention is paid in Iran, and elsewhere, to Iran-US relations and, by doing so, Iran only ends up feeding the empire by giving it far more importance than it deserves. Much more important are South-South relationships, including not only trade and technological exchanges, but also cultural. Iran should invite students from South American countries to spend a few weeks learning about all the varied facets of the country, its own history of anti-imperialism, and the role of Islam in those struggles.
Iran already has significant relations with Shi’a Muslims of various countries in its own region. However, unfortunately, much of the Muslim majority countries are under the tutelage of imperial puppets, whose darbari mullahs fan the flames of sectarianism whenever Iran appears to gain popularity amongst the people. As such Iran can only have limited “brotherly relations” with those countries.
On the other hand, we see that with the changes in Latin America, it may well be possible to open a series of dialogues at multiple levels. Former Iranian President, Khatami, may have had the right idea regarding “dialogue between civilizations” – but his implementation led to an unequal North – South non-dialogue. The North uses the podium to threaten all those who insisted on self-determination, and independence from imperialism, and neo-colonialism. A far more meaningful dialogue between civilizations would be South-South, where commonalities of history and culture can be explored with a sense of purpose.
In a meeting with visiting Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim in Tehran on Saturday, President Ahmadinejad noted that Tehran welcomes the prudence and wisdom exercised by South American leaders, particularly the Brazilian president, to maintain solidarity, coordination and unity among states.
“To remove the impact of economic and cultural colonialism in our countries, we need tranquility, collaboration and round-the-clock efforts so as to eliminate poverty and establish peace. Governments should forge fair and amicable ties,” the Iranian present said, as reported by IRNA news agency.
He added that new conditions demand Tehran and Brasilia to set up dynamic, strong and constructive relations.
President Ahmadinejad then touched on the economic meltdown in the West and noted that Iran has suffered the least from the crisis since its economy is not a deeply dependent one.
He also expressed gratitude for the Brazilian president’s message and optimism that Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit to Tehran would help further strengthen mutual bonds and relations.
Amorim said, “We should think of changing the world’s political and economic structure and what’s of importance is that two big and developing states will expand ties under new conditions.”
