West mulls Iran sanctions; US, Tehran swap warnings
BRITAIN: Western powers meet in London to discuss tightening U.N.
sanctions on Iran amid a flurry of tough and sometimes colourful talk
between Washington and Tehran over the Islamic Republic's nuclear
programme.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared Iran had "no brake and no
reverse gear", prompting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to say
Tehran needed a "stop button" for a programme the West fears is geared
to producing nuclear arms. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said all
options were on the table following Iran's refusal to heed a U.N.
deadline for halting uranium enrichment.
An Iranian deputy foreign minister responded by saying Iran was
prepared even for war. British officials hosting Monday's talks of the
five permanent United Nations Security Council members plus Germany say
they are resolved to tackle the issue using diplomacy.
"I am quite clear the Americans want to resolve this through
diplomatic means, want to exert every effort to addressing our common
concerns and resolving them through political, diplomatic, economic
measures," a senior British official said.
Washington has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf with
supporting warships, a move widely seen as a warning to Iran.
Iran insists it is entitled to nuclear power to generate electricity
and wants to negotiate with the Europeans and even Washington without
giving up its right to enrich uranium. The London meeting is likely to
discuss adding a travel ban on senior Iranian officials and restrictions
on non-nuclear business to existing sanctions banning transfers of
nuclear technology.
Government sources said support for business with Iran - some $20
billion worth of export credits provided by European agencies - would be
looked at closely, as would arms exports.
Senior British officials say they are encouraged by signs that the
current U.N. sanctions are having an impact in Tehran.
"President Ahmadinejad's standing seems to have diminished and I
think that's helpful for rational discussion and debate," said one.
London, Monday, Reuters |
