RETIRED IRANIAN AMBASSADOR ON US ELECTION, IMPROVING US

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RPO DUBAI 000053

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR IR
SUBJECT: RETIRED IRANIAN AMBASSADOR ON US ELECTION, IMPROVING US
IMAGE, AND KHATAMI CANDIDACY

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CLASSIFIED BY: Ramin Asgard, Director, Iran Regional Presence
Office, DOS.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (S) IRPO Director met on November 6 with Ambassador Gholamali
Khoshroo (retired),who was in Dubai applying for a visa to
attend the NYU Center for Dialogues Iran Conference in early
December. Ambassador Khoshroo's scheduled presentation will
address opportunities for US-Iran cooperation. Khosroo's last
assignment before his retirement was as Iranian Ambassador to
Australia. He has also served in the Iranian Permanent
Representatives' Mission to the UN. Meeting just after the US
election, Khosroo was cautiously optimistic about possibly
improved US-Iran relations, and welcomed the prospect of renewed
US influence in the region, with the proviso that it relies less
on the use of military force and more on America's "essential"
qualities. A senior advisor to former President Khatami, he
noted Khatami was under intense pressure to run, and that the
new US administration's approach to Iran might have an impact on
the viability of Khatami's candidacy. End summary.


2. (S) Speaking immediately after the US presidential election,
the discussion began with remarks on the US election. First,
Khosroo voiced his congratulations for the democratic ideals the
election demonstrated. Khosroo was positive about prospects for
improved US-Iran relations in the future, but warned against
proceeding too quickly. It was advisable to work gradually and
with great transparency given the long period of mistrust. He
noted that many Iranians, including the government, remained
concerned that at any moment a war could begin - addressing this
fear might be a good place to start.


3. (S) Khosroo spoke quite highly of the US, having served there
as a diplomat. He had a daughter who was born in the US and a
son who had studied and worked there. He recalled that he was
in Australia and attended an event to show sympathy after the
9/11 tragedy. At this event he spoke highly of the US and
passed along his condolences directly to the US Ambassador. In
an additional aside about the US election, Khosroo told IRPOff
that in his view, immediate post-election America now enjoys
broad global support, much like she did immediately after 9/11.


4. (S) In elaborating on his sense of America's potential to
regain its standing in the region, Khosroo was critical of US
"unilateralism and force", and suggested that these were not the
best tools to spread US influence. Rather, the US could gain
international support through relying on its "essential
qualities" of freedom, economic opportunity, technological
innovation, tolerance and equality. In an effort to personalize
his views, he detailed the recent experiences of his son, who
had graduated from law school in Iran, traveled to New York to
pursue graduate level law study, passed the NY bar and secured a
position with a major NY law firm - all in less than 2 years.
Khosroo compared this to his son's likely fate inside Iran,
telling IRPOff that "you can not imagine how much would be
required to get even a well-qualified, well-connected person
like my son a decent job." America had extended this
opportunity, he added, "even to a citizen of a country it
considers an enemy!"


5. (S) Khosroo served as a senior diplomat during Khatami's
administration, and remains a close confidante of the former
president on foreign policy matters. Khosroo's continuing ties
to Khatami are reportedly what led to his dismissal from the
Foreign Ministry during Ahmadinejad's presidency. Khosroo noted
that during Khatami's administration the MFA had worked to
support Khatami's initiatives towards reconciliation with the
West, including the US. Pausing to reflect, Khosroo added that
"perhaps we moved too quickly then."


6. (S) In response to IRPO Director's question on former
President Khatami's plans, Khosroo said that Khatami is
reluctant to again take on demands of the presidency, but that
he is under heavy pressure to run. If he does run, Khosroo
predicted, he will again get 70 to 75 percent of the vote. For
his own sake, Khosroo said, he would personally prefer Khatami
did not run again, as it would mean he and other Khatami allies
would have to return to the chaotic world of Iranian politics.
Khosroo was somber, but focused throughout the discussion.
Based upon his tone and expression, it appeared he clearly
envisioned the demands the next election would place on Khatami
and his allies, but that he would be willing to answer the call
if needed. In conclusion, Khosroo noted, the results of the
recent US election might have made Khatami's decision easier.


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7. (S) Comment: Khosroo represents a core, found throughout the
Iranian government, of senior officials favorably disposed
towards the US. This group varies in levels of support for US
policies, but most harbor positive feelings towards American
culture, technological and academic prowess, and Americans as a
people. Many have lived or studied in the US for extended
periods, and some even have US citizen children. These figures
include, among others, government officials like First Vice
President Parviz Davoudi, Former Permrep Javad Zarif, and
prominent Freedom Movement leader Ibrahim Yazdi.


8. (S) Comment, continued: Khosroo's comments regarding
Khatami's potential return to the presidency corroborate the
view that the Islamic Republic tends to produce (and the Supreme
Leader promote) a President suited to the anticipated challenges
and strategic environment Iran will face over the next 5-10
years. The implication, which Khosroo alludes to in his final
comment about Khatami's choice being easier under a new US
administration, is that a perceived future confrontational
international environment will reinforce the Leader's promotion
of and popular support for a national security hardliner (viz,.
a second Ahmadinejad term),whereas the perception of future
ditente may set the stage for more moderate Iranian leadership
(viz., the return of Khatami).
ASGARD