"THE DOOR TO NEGOTIATIONS REMAINS OPEN"
HANDELSBLATT INTERVIEW WITH FEDERAL FOREIGN MINISTER FRANK WALTER-STEINMEIER
GERMAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
February 19, 2007
Excerpts
Handelsblatt: Mr Steinmeier, will the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme escalate or subside?
Steinmeier: The fact that Iran's chief negotiator Ali Larijani took the opportunity in Munich to outline Iran's position, as well as the fact that Tehran refrained from announcing the development of further centrifuges, are positive signs. Contrary to expectations, Larijani hasn't yet given any reliable indication in his talks with the EU High Representative Javier Solana and myself that Iran is prepared to make concessions. However, there is a new reflectiveness in Iran. I hope that in the foreseeable future Iran will respond in concrete terms, for example to the proposals put forward by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on returning to the negotiating table.
Handelsblatt: What will happen when the UN Security Council deadline for a renewed assessment by the IAEA expires on Wednesday?
Steinmeier: In the resolution adopted unanimously just before Christmas, the international community once again spelled out what it expects of Iran. This week the IAEA will report on whether Iran has complied. Should the conclusions drawn in the report be negative, we will have to consult on what further action is required. Regardless of this, we are still prepared to keep the door to negotiations with Iran open, especially if Iran takes tangible steps towards meeting the international community's demands in the near future.
Handelsblatt: Why does the option of a tougher resolution have to be discussed if the deadline has already passed?
Steinmeier: The most recent resolution doesn't map out a course of action for the eventuality that Iran doesn't honour its obligations. We therefore have to talk soon about what to do next. I'm in favour of resolute action while upholding the united international front.
After all, the example of North Korea shows that this is worthwhile despite all the difficulties.
Handelsblatt: The US is arguing that success in the case of North Korea was only possible because the thumbscrews were tightened. Does North Korea therefore serve as a model on how to deal with Iran?
Steinmeier: North Korea and Iran are not in the same situation. North Korea doesn't have fossil energy and has been isolated both politically and economically for some time now. Iran's situation is completely different.
Handelsblatt: Does Iran's situation require a tougher response?
Steinmeier: The central and key point in the case of North Korea is that the international community demonstrated a united front and opted for persistent diplomacy. It may be that economic pressure has to be stepped up in the case of Iran too if nothing else works. But I'm still hoping we'll find another solution.
Handelsblatt: How concrete are the plans for an international organization to supply emerging economies such as Iran with fuel so that they can do without uranium enrichment?
Steinmeier: We proposed in the IAEA last autumn that such a project be considered: a multilateral uranium enrichment plant on an extraterritorial site, under the auspices of the IAEA and its export controls. The international supply of nuclear fuel could thus be guaranteed and emerging economies such as Iran wouldn't have to complete the fuel cycle themselves. The proposal on such a structure, perhaps in one of the G77 states, is, at any rate, concrete enough for the IAEA to deal with it when the time comes. We are conducting intensive talks on this at present.
Handelsblatt: Would a sanctions package mean that the incentives on offer would also have to be enhanced?
Steinmeier: To be frank, I can't think of much which could be added to the package already offered to Iran. The package has something to offer for almost all key sectors of Iran's economy, including the supply of high-tech. But first of all Iran has to restore the confidence it has destroyed with 18 years of secret development in the nuclear sector.
Handelsblatt: The US Administration has called upon China not to conclude new energy contracts with Iran. Do you support this demand?
Steinmeier: We've noticed that the growing uncertainty has led German companies to refrain from further developing their activities in Iran in sanctions-free sectors. This restraint is reflected in the German-Iranian trade statistics, which show a fall. I'm certain China is aware of how important it is that the international community presents a united front to Iran.
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