U.K. PM Warns Iran
March 16th, 2009 at 8:20 pm - by Tom Prout
When fears of Iran’s nuclear capabilities — reported by the International Atomic Energy Authority — arose on March 1st, the following weeks say a series of will testing between Washington and Tehran, before a tact of direct diplomacy was adopted by six nations. An example of that surfaced yet again, Monday, when U.K Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he plans to issue a stern warning to the Iranian government: “Continue in this way and face further and tougher sanctions.”
Though sanctions earlier threatened by U.S. President Barack Obama were not entirely well received, Brown will further bolster this message. The sanctions imposed upon Iran have been in effect since 1996, and were merely extended by Obama given fears about Iranian military capabilities. Needless to say, the response by Tehran to this move was indicative of their dismissive attitude to UN Security Council warnings all month.
Brown will offer, in place of the sanctions, cooperation if Iran decided to “change to a UN-overseen civil nuclear program that will bring the greatest benefits to its citizens.” , he will announce at a London conference today. Mr. Brown is going to urge Iran to accept U.S. conditions, which according to the Obama administration seek only to have the UN oversee the nuclear energy efforts which Iran has repeatedly stated as their only intention.
Iran has thus far been reluctant at best in indicating any signs of a deal being reached, and Mr. Brown will state that the ‘ball is now in their court’; China, Russia, and key members of the EU have urged Iran to comply with UN regulations.
The International Atomic Energy Association has indicated that in order for carbon emissions targets to be reached, there will be a dramatic increase in nuclear power plants. With such a projections, the Prime Minister will urge that powerful nations “have to create a new international system to help non-nuclear states acquire the new sources of energy they need,”
He will stress, it is presumed, the importance of security in that endeavour.
