Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Why Should Iran Decide for Afghanistan?

Afghanistan’s House of Elders or Senate has condemned the recent statement by President Ahmadinejad in a joint session of Afghan, Tajikistan and Iran’s leaders in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on celebration of the new solar year. Ahmadinejad is quoted to have asked NATO forces to leave Afghanistan and pay remedy to its people. The House of Elders termed such arrogant demand as “irresponsible” and “clear interference” in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.

The House agreed to submit an official written protest to Iran Embassy in Kabul and asked for the end of irresponsible and inflaming comments. Iranian officials continue to talk about Afghanistan and the ongoing international mission in an undiplomatic and opportunistic manner. Earlier this month, Masoud Jazayeri, Iran’s deputy chief of staff for cultural affairs, said that igniting widespread agitating protests by Afghans, creating resistance fronts and crashing on America’s interests in Afghanistan are to be used against invaders.”

Iran and Afghanistan share borders and the people of both countries have religious, cultural and linguistic attachment to each other. Given the geographic proximity, both countries have certain legitimate concerns and interests in each other’s soil, and those concerns need to be clearly addressed through formal manners and long-term confidence-building programs.

In regard to Ahmadinejad’s recent comments, there are two points to be elaborated. First, it is not the first time that he talks about Afghanistan in a manner that a head of state will not choose when talking about an independent and sovereign neighbor in a formal setting. In his visit to Afghanistan back in 2009, he used Afghan government’s official podium to challenge NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and promote Iran’s model of Islamic revolution and theological legacies.

In both cases, he was talking while President Karzai was standing in his side; unfortunately, the President did not try to present counter argument or diplomatic protest to his comments. Aside from protocol and diplomatic obligation, as head of state, President Karzai is bind by the constitution to defend the country’s political sovereignty and represent his people in a decent and honorable manner. His political and protocol staff need to make sure that offending statements by foreign diplomatic missions are not repeated or are properly responded.

Second, President Ahmadinejad is not in a position to decide about duration, type and nature of Afghanistan’s partnership with international community unless it is directly and obviously endangering Iran’s interests. Afghans are both freedom-fighters and freedom-lovers.

They understand how to manage their political system and interact with international community. Afghans are Muslim but not necessarily interested to import and apply Iran’s experience of revolution or failed theological model in their country.

Instead of talking about Afghanistan and its independence, President Ahmadinejad needs to give more time to listen to his people and their legitimate demands for reforms and political openness. As President, he needs to review his legacies for Iran and come up with effective decisions for thousands of political prisoners in Iran’s horrible detention centers; the rapid formation of unpopular policing state that controls Iranians’ private life, Iran’s declining economic situation and finally its increasing isolation in the region and international level. Addressing these issues should be given priority to exporting a political ideology that will definitely not attract enough outside audiences.