Q: A leading echelon has said the war in Iraq is a disaster.  As far as Iran, it is the American responsibility. How can you assure us and convince Iran that you intend to defend your interest? How will you take diplomatic measures to ensure that Iran does not get nuclear weapons?

A: President Bush was clear that we have no option but to seek success in Iraq. We are looking to the Iraqi government for help and the US needs to do its part. We are adding additional soldiers. We need security back on the streets to help build a democratic government. There is an international responsibility in supporting Iraq, especially on the Arab front.

Our view is that diplomacy can work when it comes to Iran’s nuclear future. We are on a diplomatic path with the Security Council action and sanctions. Secretary Condoleezza Rice has said that we do not seek a conflict with Iran. We hope their government will reconsider their current actions. There is an alternative towards Iran if it wants civil power. The choice is theirs

Q: You cannot stop the supply of arms to Hezbollah from Syria. Please explain why this is the case.

A: UN Security Resolution 1701: the implementation and enforcement of the embargo, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and the return of our soldiers have not been implemented. We think that the US and Europe should put their best efforts forth so that our soldiers may return to Israel. The embargo – the international forces at the border between Lebanon and Syria, should be implemented immediately. The disarmament should be implemented by the Lebanese or the international forces. As of now Resolution 1701 has not been implemented and we are waiting to see what will happen next.

Q: We used to think that as of 1989 the world would be uni-polar. The US is leading the world, and Moscow is regaining the center that it had before 1989. How is the US trying to shape its foreign policy though the dual-polar world we are seeing after 1989?

A: We do face a changing of the international landscape, but we are not heading towards dual-polarity. We are advancing in global trade. To take advantage of this, we need global climate change. We need effective action in the UN.

We need democratization to rebuild our alliances. Czechoslovakia has done a great job of helping rebuild NATO. Venezuela and Cuba are not the trend in the world in trying to get rid of democracy. We need to adopt the right policies against terrorism and international crime. President Bush has been saying we are asserting our role in the international world. We do not need to fear a return to bipolarity.