West Must Take Iran Serious As A Global Power Play

Berlin, Feb 6 - The West has to finally recognize the fact that Iran is a global force to be reckoned with, said Germany's leading Middle East expert Peter Scholl-Latour in an exclusive interview with IRNA here Friday.

"Iran has turned into a power player since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The latest launching of the Iranian-made satellite proved that Iran has to be taken seriously as it will determine the shape of the region," he said.

In a multipolar world, Iran has become a political force which has to be taken into account, added Scholl-Latour who accompanied the late Imam Khomeini (RA) on his triumphant return to Iran aboard the Air France jumbo jet on February 1, 1979.

He pointed to the importance of Imam Khomeini in guiding Iran's rise to a regional super power status, referring to the "die-hard" support of Lebanon's Hizbollah for the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Scholl-Latour stressed that besides Iran, Hizbollah has become the "strongest Islamic combat force."

"Hizbollah is basically the only neighbor of Israel which can compensate the enormous (military) superiority of Israel," the journalist said.

Asked about the prospects for an Iranian-US rapprochement, Scholl-Latour expressed "pessimism" in view of the latest developments.

The German expert pointed out that Dennis Ross -- tipped to become the US special envoy on Iran -- could not be regarded a neutral mediator because of his "strong links with Israel."

Scholl-Latour said one western country which could have played a positive mediating role between the US and Iran, was Germany.

However he branded the current Iran policy of Berlin as "deeply misguided."

"This policy of the German government (towards Iran) will certainly not be successful. I think this policy is also foolish and harmful for America."

The Mideast scholar hoped that an American-Iranian understanding could still be reached, 30 years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Scholl-Latour lambasted the political decision of European countries to remove the name of the MKO terror grouplet from the terror list of the European Union (EU).

"This is also a foolishness. These people (MKO members) were involved in terrorist activities and fought along side of Saddam Hussein. These people are not harmless and could still create a lot unrest," he said.

Scholl-Latour has reported extensively on the Islamic Republic over the past three decades and has written numerous books on Iran.

He had also interviewed Imam Khomeini upon his return to Tehran.

Source : IRNA