As published in Politis Newspaper...
Thursday, September 21, 2006, page 8

(English Text)
[Ελληνικά]

For the UN, Sanctions Have To Be the Next Step on Iran

Op-Ed by By Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has failed to meet the August 31 deadline to suspend proscribed nuclear activities as specified in UN Security Council Resolution 1696. The Iranian regime has made the decision to defy a historic opportunity to make a peaceful, positive choice and to resume constructive diplomatic dialogue on its nuclear program.

This past June, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met in Vienna with her counterparts from China, France, Germany, Russia, and the U.K.-- supported by the EU-- and agreed on a comprehensive package of proposals to encourage Iran to suspend its enrichment-related and processing activities and to cooperate fully with the IAEA. This package would have led to:

-- many political and economic benefits as well as greater security for the Iranian people;

-- negotiations to allow Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear energy and progressively greater economic cooperation with the rest of the world; and

-- the United States’ joining direct talks with Iran to underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution.

Iran refused this offer. The international community agrees that Iran cannot be allowed to develop and possess nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran would be a tremendously destabilizing factor in this region and for the world.

Despite my country’s well known differences with the Iranian regime, America will continue to reach out to the Iranian people. However, the IAEA’s recent report entails the discussion at the UN of sanctions. The Iranian regime must understand that its defiance of the international community will have consequences.