Back then, Khatami and Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi “went shopping,” rather than attend a cultural event at the Asia Society and risk crossing paths – and shaking hands – with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. This time, despite Iran’s avoidance of a presidential handshake at the UN, Rouhani delivered a major address at the Asia Society asserting that his government would pursue policies of “moderation and common sense” and would be willing to work with the West on resolving questions about its nuclear program.
12年前，哈塔米和外交部长哈拉齐是“前去购物”而不是出席亚洲协会的一次文化活动，以避免与美国国务卿奥尔布赖特照面甚至握手。今次，尽管伊朗仍避免在联合国与美国总统握手，但鲁哈尼在亚洲协会做了主旨演讲，声称他的政府将追求“温和和常识”的政策，愿意与西方合作解决伊朗核计划问题。