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 EXHAUST ALL DIPLOMATIC MEASURESInterview von Christian Ultsch, Die PresseAmbassador Susan McCawFebruary 4, 2006Die Presse: Would war be the ultimate rationale to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb? Susan McCaw: First of all, we have to exhaust every diplomatic measure possible. There is agreement between the US and Europe on that. Diplomacy is the best choice. US-President Bush has not ruled out military response. But that is not being talked about at this point. Do you see movement on the part of the Iranians? McCaw: Indeed, I do. They seem to have more interest now in the Russian compromise offer to enrich uranium for Iran. However, that to me looks like a stalling tactic. Anyway: The unity of the veto powers in the Security Council has not failed to make an impression on Iran. Did Iran made a false calculation when hoping for support from Russia and China? McCaw: I don't know. It seems to me that this is a highly irrational government in Teheran. Can the US afford a war against Iran at all? McCaw: It is as such not a top option for us. However, if it came to a military conflict, we would have the necessary capability. In his "State of the Union" address, President Bush confirmed the global leadership claim of the US. The rest of the world is not too happy with this claim. McCaw: The way I interpreted Bush's words was that he was saying that isolationism is not an option for the US right now. Looking at the Palestinian election results, one may get the impression that Bush's drive for democratization of the Middle East is going wrong. McCaw: The US is convinced that democracy will win in the long run. The Palestinian voters have told their leaders that know that corruption was not acceptable. We are hopeful that the democratic process will lead to long-term peace. The problem with the Islamists is that they might not abide by democratic rules but establish theocracies instead. McCaw: I think that all people, no matter what religion or race, want liberty. Has there been a change in American foreign policy since Bush began his second term? McCaw: Certainly. The President has made it very clear that the US needs partners. Terror, for instance, is not just a US problem - it's a global problem. We are aware that we will be more likely to succeed in the fight against terror if we have partners. The US could not have better partners than the Europeans. We have the same values, interests and principles. US Secretary of State Rice recently announced that there is going to be a transferal of embassy staff from Europe to Asia. Will this affect Vienna? McCaw: There will be no consequences. The number of the 542 staff members in Vienna will not be reduced. On the other hand, the US, by shifting its emphasis to Asia, is adjusting to new realities. The US State Department has the same number of employees in Germany with a population of 82 million than in India where more than a billion people live. Which goals have you set for yourself for your term in Vienna? McCaw: Quite a few. We want to support the Austrians as much as we can during their EU presidency. That will strengthen our bilateral relations - and hopefully also the relations between the EU and the US. And what else are you planning to do? McCaw: I would like to address the issue of America's negative image, which it has in parts of the Austrian society. Particularly, I would like to focus on the younger generation and talk to students. Besides, I would like to encourage more educational exchange between Austria and the US. It would be helpful if more Americans came to Austria and more Austrians went to the US. Before therapy comes diagnosis. Why does the US have a negative image in Austria? McCaw: I think that the older generation remembers us quite fondly because we helped Austria with the reconstruction efforts after the Second World War. The younger generation does not remember that and questions many US positions. e-mail: embassy@usembassy.at |
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