During his recent visit to Kuwait on Feb. 11. 2009, French President Nicolas Sarkozy recommended the new American administration to wait until the end of Iran’s presidential elections in June 2009 before engaging Tehran in negotiations. Nicolas Sarkozy’s call for the suspension of the rapprochement process between the two countries seems to be motivated by the French President’s expectation to see the current Iranian president replaced by a new figure. During the same news conference, President Sarkozy also called for a “spirit of firmness” in dealing with Iran.

Aside from the domestic political backlash that such unsolicited partisan endorsements can provoke in the course of the upcoming Iranian elections, we strongly believe that President Sarkozy’s recent position is counterproductive, tactless and utterly inconsistent with the atmosphere of dialogue that currently reigns in both Iran and the United States. We deeply regret that the French President is calling for a “spirit of firmness” at a time when both concerned nations exhibit a genuine “spirit of reconciliation” after three decades of unfortunate hostility.

The people of Iran have always shown their willingness to come to terms with the United States as a nation they respect and admire for its history, culture, hard work, democratic values and prominent role in the advancement of human knowledge, science and technology. As the bearers of an ancient civilization with great contributions to mankind, the people of Iran see these shared values as a common ground for a lasting friendship and alliance in a world marked by uncertainty and global-scale challenges.  We respectfully urge the French President to recognize and respect this natural affinity and compatibility between the two nations and refrain from antagonist statements prone to obstruct the path towards healing and reconciliation.

International peace and regional stability have long been undermined by an unreasonably protracted enmity between Iran and the United States. It is long past time for visionary world leaders to facilitate the normalization of relations between these two great countries and contribute to a needed shift of paradigm characterized by a clear rupture with past rhetoric and outdated policies. We strongly urge President Sarkozy to join President Obama in breaking with the tired pattern of failed approaches towards Iran and adhere to a policy of dialogue without preconditions or unnecessary prerequisites.