World's patience with Iran is limited: White House

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091127/ts_nm/us_nuclear_iran_usa

By Andrew Quinn and Jeff Mason Andrew Quinn And Jeff Mason –
1 hr 35 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The world is losing patience with Iran's behavior
over its nuclear program and Tehran will be responsible for the consequences
if it fails to meet its obligations, the White House said on Friday.

Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama's chief spokesman, said a vote by the
U.N. nuclear watchdog to rebuke Iran illustrated the "resolve and unity" of
the international community over Iran's nuclear program.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors voted 25-3 to
censure Iran in a decision that gained rare backing from Russia and China,
which have in the past blocked attempts to isolate Iran, a trade partner for
both.

"Our patience and that of the international community is limited, and time
is running out," Gibbs said in a statement.

"If Iran refuses to meet its obligations, then it will be responsible for
its own growing isolation and the consequences."

U.S. officials emphasized the IAEA's vote showed a broad consensus among
global powers.

"The fact that 25 countries from all parts of the world cast their votes in
favor shows the urgent need for Iran to address the growing international
deficit of confidence in its intentions," Gibbs said.

One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stressed that a
"package of consequences" would result if Iran did not prove to be a serious
partner in talks with world powers about its nuclear program.

Western governments fear the program is aimed at producing nuclear
weaponsbut Iran denies the charge.

'CLEAR MESSAGE'

"We hope that the board of governors resolution reinforces the message that,
you know, we're committed to putting together a package of consequences if
we don't find a willing partner," the official told reporters.

"We hope Iran takes note of that clear message."

The U.S. envoy to the IAEA, Ambassador Glynn Davies, said in Vienna on
Friday that international patience with Iran was running out and that "round
after round" of fruitless talks could not continue.

The U.S. official declined to be drawn on what sort of consequences were
being contemplated, although British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said
harsher sanctions could be on the way if Iran ignored the IAEA vote.

Obama and European leaders have given Iran until the end of the year to
begin talks on the nuclear stalemate.

The U.S. official said Russia and China, along with other negotiators United
States, Britain, France, and Germany, were agreed on what should happen next
if Tehran fails to respond.

"It is significant, as I said before, that both of those parties strongly
supported this step in the board of governors," the official said, referring
to Russia and China.

"They are fully committed to a two-track strategy ... we intend to take this
very steadily and step by step."

Another U.S. official said China -- seen as the most reluctant of the five
permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to sanction Iran -- had
played a useful role in the IAEA discussion and even suggested language that
was included in the final resolution.

"They had a certain degree of authorship," the official, also speaking on
condition of anonymity, said, calling final passage of the resolution "very
much a collective effort."

(Additional reporting by David Alexander in Washington and Mark Heinrich in
Vienna; editing by Mohammad Zargham)


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