Iran's top nuclear negotiator called the surprise letter a new "diplomatic
opening" between the two countries, but Rice said it failed to resolve the
dispute over the Iranian nuclear program ¡ª the focus of intense
U.N. Security Council debate this week. White House Press Secretary Scott
McClellan said Bush had been briefed on the letter, which the White House
received Monday through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
"There's nothing in here that would suggest that we're on any different
course than we were before we got the letter," Rice said.
Even though the letter hardly touched on nuclear issues, officials said it
appeared timed with a push by the United States and its European allies for a
Security Council vote to restrain Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Both China and
Russia are opposed to leveling sanctions against Iran and the letter could
provide them support.
Rice, who said she expected no quick action on sanctions, met privately
Monday night with foreign ministers from the other permanent members of the
council.
Her spokesman gave no details of the substance of the discussions, but
described the talks as strategic and not focused on specific steps.
The United States is concerned that Iran's program is a cover for making
nuclear weapons, while Iran contends it has the right to process uranium as fuel
in nuclear reactors to generate electricity.
In the letter, Ahmadinejad says that people around the world have lost faith
in international institutions and questions whether the Bush administration has
covered up some evidence surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks.
Liberalism and Western-style democracy "have not been able to help realize
the ideals of humanity," said the letter, obtained late Monday by The Associated
Press.
"Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear
the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the
Liberal democratic systems," it read.
Ahmadinejad also suggests that Bush should look inward, saying there was an
increasing hatred worldwide of the United States, and that history shows how
"repressive and cruel governments do not survive."
"How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be
spilled on the streets, and people's houses destroyed over their heads? Are you
pleased with the current condition of the world? Do you think present policies
can continue?"
Most of Iran's newspapers devoted their front pages to Ahmadinejad's message
on Tuesday.
"Ahmadinejad's letter, an initiative in global diplomacy," read a headline in
the hard-line daily Resalat.
The moderate daily Shargh, or East, said the message may open a new page in
relations with the United States.
But a conservative lawmaker lambasted Ahmadinejad for failing to consult
parliament before he sent the letter.
"This message is the outcome of a series of taboo-breaking behaviors in
Iran's foreign policy. ... That the parliament is not aware of (the contents of
the) letter is questionable," Hashmatollah Falahatpisheh told an open session of
the parliament broadcast live on state-run radio Tuesday.
