By Gareth Smyth in Teheran
November 3 2004
The day after the US election it was business as usual in Tehran as thousands marched to mark Day Against Global Arrogance, the 25th anniversary of the seizure of the American embassy by radical students during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
At a rally outside the former embassy building, the stars and stripes were burned as speakers vowed death to the US and Israel.
Most officials and commentators insisted the result in the US would have little or no bearing on Washington\'s policies towards Iran and the wider world.
“The yellow dog is the brother of the jackal,” said Mehdi Kuchak Zadeh, a conservative deputy.
President Mohammad Khatami said there was “no difference” between George W. Bush and John Kerry, and that either would be forced to adopt “détente”.
But former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi said it would be “better for the word if Mr Bush wins so that he can complete his unfinished work”.
Amir Mohebian, columnist with the conservative Resalat newspaper, said that the re-election of president Bush would show that Americans “preferred security to being respected in the world”.
Mr Mohebian also argued that a video-tape from Osama bin Laden, broadcast in the week before the poll, had worked to Mr Bush\'s advantage. “Such radicals support and need each other,” he said. “The world needs peace rather than war, but if Mr Bush continues with the same policies, the US will be isolated in the world, not just from Muslims.”
The US election has come at a sensitive time in Iran\'s relations with the outside world.
On Friday, Iranian officials will meet counterparts from Germany, Britain and France to try and hammer out an agreement over Iran\'s nuclear programme.
Washington has insisted that the next meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on November 25, should refer Iran to the United Nations security council over what it alleges is a covert weapons programme.
The Europeans have offered Iran an incentive deal - including the transfer of technology, the supply of enriched uranium and a trade agreement - if it agrees to an IAEA request to suspend all aspects of its uranium enrichment programme.
Iranian state television on Wednesday gave prominence to a report from the AFP news agency that the Europeans have softened their stance by agreeing not to insist that the suspension be indefinite. A western diplomat confirmed on Wednesday that a new paper was delivered to Tehran on Tuesday, but said it \"took forward Europe\'s existing position\" and should not be seen as a concession. \"Suspension of enrichment is a bridge to something else, so in that sense it\'s obviously limited in time,\" he said. While Mr Kerry welcomed the Europeans engagement of Iran, the Bush administration was lukewarm or even hostile.
Mr Mohebian said he thought the outline of a deal was emerging in which Iran would agree to “suspension for some months”, but he also quoted the prophet Mohammad on the wisdom of “preparing for the worst if you want to maintain your dignity”.
“We have made the decision that we will continue to enrich uranium, under international supervision,\" he said, \"and it\'s possible that in defending our rights we will have to go to the security council.”
The Financial Times