US not in favour of SVG ties with Iran

America is strongly against St Vincent and the Grenadines establishing diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time.{{more}}

In an exclusive interview with SEARCHLIGHT last week, during her two-day visit in this country, United States’ non-resident Ambassador to this country, Mary Ourisman, made clear her country’s position on the matter.

“We believe that now is not the time to engage in business with Iran,” she said.

She said that while her country understands the various economic and trade constraints facing small developing states like St Vincent and the Grenadines, Iran’s standing in the International Community is deplorable.

“Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism… Iran’s involvement in Iraq endangers the lives of our (the US) solders and the citizens of Iraq.”

“Iran is in violation of the United Nation’s Security Council’s regulation…dealing with the pursuit of nuclear weapons,” Ambassador Ourisman, who is based in Barbados, said.

She told SEARCHLIGHGT that she was not prepared to divulge the full content of the meeting she had with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, during their three hour meeting during her visit, but said that the United States’ position on the Iran matter was made clear to the Prime Minister.

“In our opinion, being too heavily involved with Iran now is not a good thing,” she reiterated.

A few weeks ago, on his return from a meeting of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM), in the Iranian capital city Tehran, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Louis Straker, indicated this country’s intention to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Islamic State.

Among other things, in a joint statement between the two countries, Iran indicated their intention to assist in the construction of the Argyle International Airport.

Dr Gonsalves is expected to travel to Tehran in the not too distant future to finalize the extent of the assistance, among other things.

This country’s Ambassador to Cuba, Dexter Rose, has also been appointed as the non-resident ambassador to the Middle Eastern state, which has been described by US President George Bush as part of the “Axis of Evil.”

“There is nothing untoward with us having diplomatic relations with Iran,” is what Dr Gonsalves said as he answered a question on the matter in parliament recently.

“I will take a grant or a soft loan from Iran… It is a mark of profound insecurity in some of our people to think somehow that (if) we have diplomatic relations with Iran, Iran is going to convert us to Islam or as a result America is going to bomb us,” he further stated.

Sir Louis has also defended Iran on the nuclear power issue, saying that he has no reason to doubt what its leaders say – that is, that their nuclear ambitions are purely for domestic reasons, and not steeped in any military objective.

“…Nobody knows for sure…even the United States cannot say for sure it is otherwise…I have no reason to doubt them (The Iranians),” Sir Louis said recently.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has voiced his concern about the pursuing of a relationship with Iran, and their likely involvement in the International Airport project.

I am not comfortable with that. I will be watching this very closely,” Eustace told SEARCHLIGHT in a recent interview.