Wednesday, August 6, 2008

More sanctions + broader diplomacy?

"...Iran is clearly not in a negotiating frame of mind, at least on the nuclear issue. And why would it be? The game is rigged in its favour. Oil prices are at record levels, which furnish ample resources to ride out limited UN sanctions, and Tehran's influence over the course of events in Afghanistan and Iraq give it direct leverage over the security interests of the US and its allies.
What the P5+1 - and the Bush administration in particular - need to do is change the rules of the game to magnify the pressures on Iran....the Bush administration should be open to direct bilateral talks with the Iranians on any issue. In negotiations over the nuclear programme, the Iranians have already indicated they seek a broader dialogue. Washington should grant it. In general, talking with Iran will produce better information about its intentions and vulnerabilities, yield more policy options and ultimately lead to better, more informed US policy."

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