Global Arab Network | World Leaders on Sanctions to Halt Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Programme

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

World Leaders on Sanctions to Halt Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Programme

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 22:44

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is currently considering a fourth UNSC resolution in order to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran did not cease its nuclear weapons development in light of the first three rounds of UNSC sanctions. [1]

The following countries are currently on the rotating UNSC. It is they who will decide what the next round of sanctions will look like. [2]

The UNSC is composed of five permanent members - China , France, Russian Federation , the United Kingdom and the United States — and ten non-permament members (with year of term's end): Austria (2010), Japan (2010), Turkey (2010), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2011), Lebanon (2011), Uganda (2010), Brazil (2011), Mexico (2010), Gabon (2011) and Nigeria (2011). [3]

As Iran continues to ignore international demands to cease its ongoing nuclear enrichment programme and improve its deteriorating human rights situation, world leaders are more forcefully speaking out about the use of sanctions to halt the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.

Arab World

"Sanctions are a long-term solution. They may work. We can't judge," Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton on February 16, 2010. "We see the issue in the shorter term because we are closer to the threat [...] We need an immediate resolution," Prince Saud added.[4] " Iran , if it continues on the line that is continuing, will provide the impetus for further proliferation and, God forbid, see the region full of atomic weapons." Iran 's rejection, Prince Saud added, of a United Nations-brokered deal to supply it with enough enriched uranium to generate electricity but not to develop nuclear weapons posed a direct threat to regional stability, he said.[5]

At a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo on March 3rd 2009, Saudi Foreign Minister called for a joint Arab strategy, a common vision to deal with the "Iranian challenge" including its nuclear drive.[6]

Also in March 2009, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak warned: “A nuclear armed Iran with hegemonic ambitions is the greatest threat to Arab nations today.”[7]

Earlier, in December 2008, Mubarak, seemed to capture the mood of the Arab world when he addressed members of his ruling National Democratic Party. "The Persians are trying to devour the Arab states."[8]

Russia

“We are very alarmed and we cannot accept this, that Iran is refusing to co-operate with the IAEA,” Sergei Lavrov, Russia ’s foreign minister, said on February 19, 2010. “For about 20 years, the Iranian leadership carried out its clandestine nuclear programme without reporting it to the IAEA. I do not understand why there was such secrecy.”[9]

On February 11, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said: "We do not think sanctions will work, but we understand that it is impossible to get by without them in certain circumstances."[10]

In October 2009, Russian Prime minister Vladimir Putin has warned Western powers that they will not gain anything by trying to intimidate Tehran . Sergei Prikhodko, the Kremlin’s top foreign policy aide, said: “Sanctions in relation to Iran are hardly possible in the near future.” On January 16, 2010, Foreign Ministry Deputy Sergei Ryabkov said: “The effectiveness of [additional] sanctions is highly doubtful.” He further said: “We will look at which measures can be developed in order to stimulate political and diplomatic solutions to the problem at hand.”[11]

" Russia 's position is simple," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said after a meeting with Obama. "Sanctions are seldom productive but they are sometimes inevitable." Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev said on September 23, 2009.[12]

Earlier, on 16 June 2009, Medvedev was the first to send his official congratulations to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his “re-election” as president of Iran .[13]

China

At two Chinese Foreign Ministry briefings in February 2010, spokesman Ma Zhaoxu avoided extensive comment, positive or negative, about new sanctions proposed by the West. "On sanctions, our position has been consistent and clear," Ma told reporters on February 11. "We are willing, together with the international community, to continue playing a constructive role in pushing for a resolution of the Iran nuclear issue." [14]

China is very concerned about Iranian nuclear weapons development but has not yet embraced the notion of sanctions. “On the question of Iran , we understand that we need to press on with negotiations. We need to try and find a solution as quickly as possible through negotiations,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on February 3, 2010.[15]

Wang Baodong, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington , said February 4, 2010 that " China is against Iran developing and owning nuclear weapons [and] stands for safeguarding the international non-proliferation system and maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East ." But in light of Ahmadinejad's comments, he said, "we believe there's still room for diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, and we don't endorse discussing sanctions for now."[16]

United Kingdom

"I believe the mood around the world is now increasingly one where, patience not being inexhaustible, people are turning to look at the specific sanctions we can plan on Iran," Prime Minister Gordon Brown told BBC TV on February 11, 2010, the day of the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. "This is a critical time for Iran 's relationship with the rest of the world."[17]

On February 2nd 2010, Brown said evidence suggested Iran was developing "materials" whose purpose was clearly not for use in civilian nuclear development and that Tehran was defying five UN resolutions. "If Iran will not make some indication that it will take action […] we have got to proceed with sanctions," he said. “I think it's essential that the international community shows that it has strength in this matter by imposing these sanctions."[18]

One day after Iran test-fired the long-range Sejil 2 missile on December 16, 2009, Brown called the launch a serious concern to the international community and underlined the case for tougher sanctions against Iran .[19]

France

In response to the new IAEA report on February 19, 2010, France 's Foreign Ministry released a statement, saying the IAEA report "shows how urgent it is to take resolute action to respond to Iran 's lack of cooperation." "We now have no other choice, given this report, than to seek, together with our partners, the adoption of new measures by the U.N. Security Council over the next few weeks," the ministry said in the statement.[20]

President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed on a US proposal of stronger sanctions against Iran on its nuclear enrichment program. The "time has come for the adoption of stronger sanctions, in the hope that dialogue could be resumed," Sarkozy was quoted after a meeting with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on February 8, 2010.[21]

On September 16, 2009, French President Nicolas Sarkozy publicly accused Iran of lying when he said that "It is a certainty to all of our secret services. Iran is working today on a nuclear (weapons) program." Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.[22]

In a diplomatic strategy speech, Sarkozy criticized Iranian leaders for their handling of contested elections and their nuclear program and floated the possibility of "severe" new sanctions against Iran if it continues its nuclear activities. "These are the same leaders, in Iran , who tell us that the nuclear program is peaceful and that the elections were honest. Frankly, who believes them?" he asked on August 26, 2009.[23]

After the arrest of British embassy employees in Tehran for the alleged backing for pro-democracy demonstrations in July 2009, Sarkozy issued the strongest condemnation of Iran 's leadership yet seen from a world leader when he said: "We believe the Iranian people deserve better than the leadership they have today."[24]

Germany

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle insisted on February 19, 2010 that Iran "has no right to nuclear arms capability." The international community would discuss measures against Iran "including the possibility of further sanctions." "The patience of the international community is not endless," he added.[25]

" Iran 's time is up. It is now time to discuss widespread international sanctions. We have shown much patience and that patience is up," said Chancellor Angela Merkel in a joint press conference with Israel 's President Shimon Peres on January 26, 2010. "The international community's efforts have not brought about change so far and it is now time to discuss tougher sanctions," said Merkel.[26]

In a Jan. 18 meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “we will work for more sanctions…We always called for transparency and cooperation with Iran, but unfortunately Iran has not responded.”[27]

In December 2009, Angela Merkel said “our patience [with Iran ] is sorely tested” and that new sanctions must be taken into consideration if Iran continues with its attitude of non-compliance.[28]

In August 2009, Merkel threatened energy sanctions if Iran fails to cooperate with the international community on its nuclear weapons development program. “If there is no progress, we would have to react with further sanctions,” Merkel said. She added: “If Iran got atomic weapons, it would be a dangerous situation. That is why sanctions would be justified. […] What is clear is that Tehran […] must not get the atomic bomb.”[29]

U.S.

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the recent IAEA report from February 19, 2010 "underscores that Iran continues to flout its international obligations" and indicates that Tehran is pursuing "a nuclear weapons program with the purpose of evasion." Rice that the report also demonstrates "the urgency" that Iran must now engage the international community on its nuclear program or "face increased international pressure."[30]

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on February 15, 2010, Iran 's Revolutionary Guard has gained so much power that it is supplanting the government. " Iran is moving toward a military dictatorship. [...] The civilian leadership is either preoccupied with its internal political situation or is ceding ground to the Revolutionary Guard," she said during a visit to the Gulf where she drummed up support for a new round of U.N. sanctions against Tehran.[31]

President Barack Obama said on February 9, 2010, after the Iranian regime has still not agreed to an international uranium enrichment deal: "The next step is sanctions. They have made their choice so far but the door is still open." The president had originally set a deadline for the end of 2009.[32]

Earlier, on November 19, 2009, Obama warned: " Iran has taken weeks now and has not shown its willingness to say yes to this proposal ... and so as a consequence we have begun discussions with our international partners about the importance of having consequences," he said at a news conference with the South Korea 's president. "Over the next several weeks, we will be developing a package of potential steps that we could take, that would indicate our seriousness to Iran ."[33]

EU

Speaking at an international security conference in Munich on February 6, 2010, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said that "the possibilities for dialogue are not exhausted."[34]

In a statement issued on February 11, 2010, the day Iran celebrated the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and declared itself a "nuclear state", Ashton said the EU noted with "great concern" the arrests and violence against opposition leaders. "The choices this regime is making vis-a-vis its people and the international community are the wrong ones. No amount of inflated rhetoric can hide that. The regime is letting its own people down; and they deserve better," she said.[35]

“If we don’t have the rules kept to, then we have to take action in some form…Sanctions are something that will come up in the discussions,” Ashton also said.[36]

Finland’s foreign minister Alexander Stubb seemed to be more firm on EU sanctions saying that the European Union could announce "very strong sanctions" against Tehran within "days or weeks". The UN Security Council should take the lead on sanctions, but if that is not successful "we'll do it through the EU. I would estimate, in a matter of days or weeks." Sanctions would involve a financial embargo and "issues related to energy," Stubb said after meeting his Canadian counterpart in Ottawa on February 11, 2010.[37]

Global Arab Network

* Source: Réalité-EU

[1] "Int'l community to seek new measures on Iran 's nuclear issue: French PM", People's daily, February 21, 2010 http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/6897512.html

[2] UN Security Council Members http://www.un.org/sc/members.asp

[3] Ibid.

[4] "US sees progress with Saudi on Iran sanctions," AFP, February 16, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100216/wl_mideast_afp/gulfusdiplomacymideastiran_14

[5] "Why Arabs fear nuclear Iran ," The Sydney Morning Herald, February 20, 2010 http://www.smh.com.au/world/why-arabs-fear-nuclear-iran-20100219-olua.html

[6] U. Sadikhova: "Development of Saudi Arabia 's nuclear program can lead to confrontation with Iran : experts," Trend News, August 24, 2009, http://en.trend.az/news/politics/foreign/1527840.html

[7] Taheri, Amir, " Iran has started a Mideast Arms Race," The Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2009, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776572203009141.html

[8] "Why Arabs fear nuclear Iran" , The Sydney Morning Herald, February 20, 2010 http://www.smh.com.au/world/why-arabs-fear-nuclear-iran-20100219-olua.html

[9] "Russia hints it will back Iran sanctions calls", Times Online, February 20, 2010 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7034383.ece

[10] " China feels US-Iran fallout", Asia Times, February 13, 2010, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LB13Ak03.html

[11] "Don’t pressure Iran , says Russia ," BBC Online, October 13, 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8303517.stm

[12] Medvedev: "Sanctions against Iran 's nuclear programme 'may be inevitable'", Guardian, September 24, 2009, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/23/nuclear-iran-un-gcc-sanctions

[13] " Russia , China congratulate Ahmadinejad on vote win," Reuters, June 16, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/Iran/idUSTRE55F0YA20090616

[14] " China softening on Iran sanctions," Kuwait Times, February 14, 2010, http://kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTAzNTIxNzE0MQ==

[15] "Need to press on with Iran talks: China ," Daily Times, February 5, 2010, http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010story_4-2-2010_pg20_2

[16] "China could block sanctions against Iran ," Washington Post, February 5, 2010 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020404792.html

[17] "Brown warns Iran over nuclear programme," BBC, February 11, 2010, http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE61A2EO20100211

[18] "Brown calls for further sanctions against Iran ," BBC, February 2, 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8493970.stm

[19] "Brown warns of further sanctions after Iran test-fires long-range missile," Daily Mail, December 17, 2009, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1236293/Brown-warns-Iran-sanctions-test-fires--long-range-missile.html#ixzz0fsvjozsd

[20] "Russia : Iran 's noncooperation 'very alarming'," AP, February 19, 2010 http://
hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_IRAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-02-19-17-18-29

[21] "Sarkozy backs stronger sanctions on Iran ," Xinhua, February 2, 2010, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2010-02/09/content_9449068.htm

[22] " France 'certain' Iran working on nukes," The Sydney Morning Herald, September 16, 2009, http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/france-certain-iran-working-on-nukes-20090916-fq3n.html

[23] "Sarkozy Threatens Iran With 'Severe' Sanctions Over Nuclear Program, Election Crackdown," Huffington Post, August 26, 2009, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/26/sarkozy-threatens-iran-wi_n_269780.html

[24] "Nicholas Sarkozy condemns Iran ," Telegraph, July 6, 2009, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5759522/Nicholas-Sarkozy-condemns-Iran.html

[25] " Germany calls for more sanctions against Iran ," Deutsche Welle, February 19, 2010, http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5265137,00.html

[26] "Merkel und Peres einig über Iran-Politik," Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, January 26, 2010, http://www.faz.net/s/RubFC06D389EE76479E9E76425072B196C3/Doc~E1CAFC80FF0E7439A9E6A8F6F10E
2CD8E~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html

[27] Dempsey, Judy: " Germany Supports Tougher Iran Sanctions," The New York Times, January 18, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/world/europe/19germany.html

[28] " U.S. ; Germany losing patience with Iran ," Reuters, December 3, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B24P820091203

[29] "Merkel threatens energy sanctions against Iran ," Agence France Presse, August 21, 2009, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZD8vpe7lQOqVGDnEz-LlSkrIFZg

[30] "Russia : Iran 's noncooperation `very alarming'," AP, February 19, 2010, http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_IRAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-02-19-17-18-29

[31] "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: ' Iran is becoming a military dictatorship'," Daily Mail, February 15, 2010, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1251219/Hillary-Clinton-claims-Iran-military-dictatorship.html#ixzz0ftViahdr

[32] "Obama: Iran sanctions can still be avoided, but are the next step for U.N.," The Hill, February 9, 2010, http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/80405-obama-iran-sanctions-can-still-be-avoided-but-are-the-next-step

[33] "Barack Obama: Iran faces fresh nuclear sanctions within weeks," Guardian, November 19, 2009, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/19/obama-iran-nuclear-sanctions

[34] "EU sanctions against Iran 'within days,' says minister," February 12, 2010, http://euobserver.com/24/29462

[35] Ibid.

[36] Neuger, James G.: "EU Moving Toward ‘Some Form’ of Step Against Iran, Ashton Says," BusinessWeek, January 11, 2010, http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-11/eu-moving-toward-some-form-of-step-against-iran-ashton-says.html

[37] "EU sanctions against Iran 'within days,' says minister," February 12, 2010, http://euobserver.com/24/29462

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network