Citing Alexis de Tocqueville’s 19th century observations of American civilization, he particularly commends the American ability to “combine religious spirituality with the virtues of liberty.” If further disquisitions along these lines are to be Khatami’s chosen vehicle for engendering renewed popular acceptance of Iran in America and thereby influencing US policy, the Iranian president might profitably rethink some of his basic conceptions about the American people.

President Khatami’s Discourse with the American People — download PDF