Kerry and Obama sent an elegant holiday message to Iranian people.

[blm]

Message to the Iranian People on Nowruz

It’s a privilege to join President Obama in sending warm wishes for health and prosperity to the people of Iran and all those who celebrate Nowruz around the world.

As you gather with your loved ones around the Sofreh Haft-Seen, we are proud to note that many Americans will join you in celebrating Nowruz. This year, we are once again reminded of the outstanding contributions of Iranian-Americans and Iranian students here in the United States, which reflect the rich history of your culture. I am proud of the Iranian-Americans in my own family, and grateful for how they have enriched my life.

Despite the difficult history of the last decades between the United States and Iran, there is an opportunity to work diplomatically to reduce tensions and address the mistrust between our two countries, to the mutual benefit of both of our people. As President Obama has said, we are strongly committed to resolving the differences between Iran and the United States, and continuing to work toward a new day in our relationship. We sincerely hope Iran’s leaders choose to fulfill their obligations to not only the international community but also to their people so that Iran can begin to take its proper place in the community of nations, and the Iranian people can have access to the same opportunities and freedoms enjoyed by others around the world.

Just last month, Americans and Iranians came together to demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and camaraderie on the wrestling mats in Tehran. On this Nowruz, we would like to reaffirm our desire to continue building strong people-to-people ties to promote greater understanding, peace, and progress.

May this New Year be filled with a renewed sense of hope and a new commitment to peace and fundamental freedoms. On behalf of the United States, we extend our best wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year.


Nowruzetoon Mobarak!

http://www.uspolicy.be/headline/kerrys-message-iranian-people-nowruz

[David Zephyr]

1. First to K&R this! Thanks! Brilliant example of leadership.

Great team, these two.

[Rex]

2. That is what a good POTUS does.

Unlike Commander Bunny Pants. Who had earned huge amounts of scorn around the world. I remember seeing dog poop with flags of GWB stuck in them in Germany!

So far have we come!

[Cha]

4. Yeah, I remember those.. every time I was

out running and saw dog crap I would think of bush. Yea-ch.

[Rex]

16. I still think of him as dog crap.

Which is an insult to poop everywhere.

[blm]

18. I concur

; )

[Cha]

3. Good on SOS Kerry and Pres Obama.. Looking for what unites not divides.

thanks blm

[LittleBlue]

5. I will be much more impressed if we don't bomb and kill them

Nice message, but let's show it's not an empty gestures by refraining from preemptive slaughter.

[blm]

9. Unlike previous Secretaries of State, Kerry is considered an honest broker in the region

by ALL parties. The people in that region know more about what actually occurred during IranContra and BCCI than most Americans.

[LittleBlue]

12. I really hope you're right

Kerry and Hagel have seen war first hand, hopefully they will leave those people alone.

[Scuba]

6. Nicely done Mr. President, Mr. Secretary.

[malaise]

7. Classy

Rec

[babylonsister]

8. Fantastic! nt

[Tx4obama]

10. A copy of the statement President Obama released, below

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 18, 2013

Statement by President Obama on Nowruz

Dorood. As you and your families come together to celebrate Nowruz, I want to extend my best wishes on this new spring and new year. Around the world, and here in the United States, you are gathering at the Nowruz table—to give thanks for loved ones, reflect on your blessings and welcome all the possibilities of a new season.

As I have every year as President, I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran. Since taking office, I have offered the Iranian government an opportunity—if it meets its international obligations, then there could be a new relationship between our two countries, and Iran could begin to return to its rightful place among the community of nations.

I have had no illusions about the difficulty of overcoming decades of mistrust. It will take a serious and sustained effort to resolve the many differences between Iran and the United States. This includes the world’s serious and growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, which threatens peace and security in the region and beyond.
Iran’s leaders say that their nuclear program is for medical research and electricity. To date, however, they have been unable to convince the international community that their nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. That’s why the world is united in its resolve to address this issue and why Iran is now so isolated. The people of Iran have paid a high and unnecessary price because of your leaders’ unwillingness to address this issue.

As I’ve said all along, the United States prefers to resolve this matter peacefully, diplomatically. Indeed, if—as Iran’s leaders say—their nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, then there is a basis for a practical solution. It’s a solution that would give Iran access to peaceful nuclear energy while resolving once and for all the serious questions that the world has about the true nature of the Iranian nuclear program.

The United States, alongside the rest of the international community, is ready to reach such a solution. Now is the time for the Iranian government to take immediate and meaningful steps to reduce tensions and work toward an enduring, long-term settlement of the nuclear issue.

Finding a solution will be no easy task. But if we can, the Iranian people will begin to see the benefits of greater trade and ties with other nations, including the United States. Whereas if the Iranian government continues down its current path, it will only further isolate Iran. This is the choice now before Iran’s leaders.
I hope they choose a better path—for the sake of the Iranian people and for the sake of the world. Because there’s no good reason for Iranians to be denied the opportunities enjoyed by people in other countries, just as Iranians deserve the same freedoms and rights as people everywhere.

Iran’s isolation isn’t good for the world either. Just as your forbearers enriched the arts and sciences throughout history, all nations would benefit from the talents and creativity of the Iranian people, especially your young people. Every day that you are cut off from us is a day we’re not working together, building together, innovating together—and building a future of peace and prosperity that is at the heart of this holiday.

As you gather with family and friends this Nowruz, many of you will turn to the poet Hafez who wrote: “Plant the tree of friendship that bears the fruit of fulfillment; uproot the sapling of enmity that bears endless suffering.”

As a new spring begins, I remain hopeful that our two countries can move beyond tension. And I will continue to work toward a new day between our nations that bears the fruit of friendship and peace.

Thank you, and Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/03/18/statement-president-obama-nowruz

[blm]

14. Thanks for posting that. It feels like THIS team has a mission and is committed

to making it a reality.

[Tx4obama]

11. The statement in the OP is Kerry's. Obama's statement is in Comment #10.

[blm]

15. It's a shame the corpmedia has not given these remarks the attention deserved.

.

[JDPriestly]

13. Here is hoping that Obama and Kerry can improve the situation in the

Middle East and finally bring peace. I wish them all the best in this endeavor. Bush did not even try. All sides will have to give a little. That is what it takes to make a lasting peace -- that or . . . . The only decent choice is clear -- make peace.

[politicasista]

17. Kick. Very good.

Wish the supporters of Amb. Rice would warm up to Secretary Kerry. These letters are nice and worth some notice.

That said, nice job to both Mr. President and Mr. Secretary.

[Comrade Grumpy]

19. P.S. Nothing is off the table.