"Nuclear bombs belong to the 20th century"

The Iranian President in his interview with NBC today. That's absolutely true. But is it realistic to assume that they won't become a major issue in the 21st century, too? I doubt. That Mr. Ahmadinejad now personally addresses the American people but also all of us does not mean that the problems with Iran and its nuclear program are off the table.

I would appreciate a clearer statement that Iran does not threaten any other nation and in particular not Israel. I would really appreciate ensuring human rights in the Islamic Republic. Iran might consider itself meanwhile a regional superpower. In a way hubris. But problems, be it regional or even global, have to be dealt with in concerted actions. Mr. Ahmadinejad might understand that his unacceptable rhetoric has never been helpful but is in fact counterproductive.

Of course, there is a demand for independence, especially after extremely bad experiences with the UK and, in particular, the USA in the past 50 years. Operation Ajax is not forgotten. In 2000 former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has called the CIA coup a setback for the democratic government in Iran, almost an apology. Maybe it is high time to apologize, too, for the 1979-1981 hostage crisis. It would be a welcome signal to the people of the US. And it could be a new beginning of diplomatic relationship between Washington and Tehran.