'Polls will not change US foreign policy radically'

Tehran, Nov 9: Iran's press wrote with glee today about the drubbing President George W Bush's Republicans received in U S elections but predicted it would only moderate, not radically change, US foreign policy.

One daily said the victorious U S Democrats were traditionally close to Israel, Iran's sworn enemy, a factor which might add to pressure on regional countries.

Iran, being pressed to halt nuclear work that Washington says is aimed at building atomic bombs, has yet to comment officially on Tuesday's U S vote that saw Democrats win control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.

But the English-language Iran News wrote: ''Most Americans have finally caught up with the rest of the world in rebuking the irresponsible, militaristic, arrogant, belligerent and entirely destabilising policies of the Bush administration.'' It cautioned, however, against ''expecting a sea change in American foreign policy''.

The conservative daily Siyasat-e Rouz agreed. ''Regarding Iran and other opponents of America's policies around the world, there will be tangible changes but because Republicans are still in power in the White House, we cannot call it a major change in America's foreign policy,'' it said.

''Washington's attitude towards the WAsia especially Palestine, will change. And of course because Democrats are very close to the Zionist regime (Israel), it will increase diplomatic pressure on regional countries.'' Other commentators called the result a slap in the face for the Bush administration's invasion and occupation of Iraq. Iran has called for US troops to leave.

The United States is pushing for a tough U N sanctions resolution against Iran over its disputed atomic programme, which Tehran insists is aimed only at generating electricity.

Washington has not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails.

Some newspapers said Bush would now be too embroiled in infighting at home to consider more military action abroad.

''Bush's government will be obliged to take more cautious steps and instead of creating war around the world it will be obliged to fight politically with Democrats,'' the hardline Kayhan newspaper wrote.

Newspapers did not touch directly on the nuclear dispute, but one Iranian analyst, who asked not to be named, said Iran would probably feel encouraged to press ahead with its plans.

''I think it will make Iranians more determined in what they are doing,'' he said.

The Resalat daily said Washington's ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, could come under fire like Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who resigned on Wednesday, because both backed hawkish policies.

Reuters