May 22, 2006 Indonesia says sanctions would fail in Iran
MEDFORD (Agencies) -- Sanctions imposed by the United States or Europe would fail to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear program, Indonesia's foreign minister said on Saturday, a week after Iran's leaders held talks in Indonesia, Reuters reported. The comment follows a European Union proposal to offer Iran a mix of incentives including nuclear reactors and security pledges if Iran stops enriching uranium, with a warning of possible sanctions if Tehran rejects the offer. "Iran is not a country that would easily succumb to pressure from sanctions," said Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, a day after he held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington. Leaders of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, hosted Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad on May 13 at a summit on the resort island of Bali. Wirajuda said he conveyed to Rice the message Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave Ahmadinejad: that Iran should be flexible, resolving the issue through diplomacy and keeping its nuclear technology peaceful and transparent. "We all know that the nuclear issue is unifying Iran and Ahmadinejad is trying to make full use of it," Wirajuda told Reuters in Massachusetts, where he spoke to graduating students at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. "In my talk with Secretary Rice, one thing we did share is the importance of a peaceful solution," said Wirajuda. Diplomats said on Saturday the EU draft offer of a package of incentives in exchange for a suspension of enrichment had caused a split in the West's previously united position on Iran since Washington has serious reservations about the plan. Wirajuda said Indonesia would not take sides in the dispute. "It's not surprising that the U.S. and Europeans have their different approaches in the early stages of negotiations," he said. World needs to engage with Iran: Pakistan PM The international community must engage with Iran to ensure a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, and Pakistan is willing to help reduce the tension in the region, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday, Daily Times reported. If Pakistan can help reduce tensions and create an environment for peace, we will play our role, he said in an interaction with international media during the World Economic Forum moot at the Red Sea resort of Sharm-al-Shaikh, Egypt. The prime minister warned that the use of force against Iran would create complications and challenges besides affecting the global supply of oil and gas. Aziz is due to meet Irans first Vice President Parvaiz Davodi in Pakistan on May 24 and discuss the nuclear issue. He did not agree with a foreign reporter that Pakistans role in the issue was being perceived negatively. Dont put words in my mouth. And you are the first person to say that, he said, adding that Pakistans role was being appreciated in finding a peaceful resolution to a very complex issue. We have to build bridges and communicate ... in a quiet way we are using our best offices as we want to see a reduction in tension, he said. He added, however, that Pakistan was not in any way mediating. Aziz said that Pakistan believed that every country has the right to peaceful use of nuclear power under International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines. He reiterated Pakistans opposition to the use of force against Iran, saying, it will help no one, will muddy the waters and create more problems than resolving (the issue). He denied there was any pressure on Islamabad to abandon the proposed multi-billion dollar Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. Pakistan has to meet its growing energy needs and will take a decision in the national interest, he said. German FM urges Iran nuclear flexibility Iran should be more flexible in negotiations aimed at ending standoff over its nuclear program, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Sunday during a visit to Kuwait, AFP reported. "I have to admit that after two and a half years of negotiations, we are not as far along as we would like to be," Steinmeier said when asked about European efforts to convince Iran to halt uranium enrichment. "The situation requires not only creativity on our part, but also more flexibility on the Iranian side," he said at a joint press conference with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah al-Salem. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also was due in China Sunday on a trip in which she was expected to push the Asian giant to assume a greater international role, notably on the Iranian nuclear crisis. "The economic role of China has grown and so has its responsibility on the international stage. Based on its economic position, China must take on more responsibilities," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Specifically, Germany would like to see China involved more closely in the international efforts to solve the nuclear crisis in Iran. China, which has the power of veto on the UN Security Council, has said it is against the use of force or sanctions against Iran. U.S. not asked to give Iran security guarantee: Rice European powers have not asked the United States to provide security guarantees to Iran as part of a package the West is preparing to offer the Islamic republic to curb its nuclear programs, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday, Reuters reported. "We haven't been asked to provide security assurances," Rice said. http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/22/2006&Cat=2&Num=11 ------------------------ Yahoo! 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