EU joins US in criticizing Iran
The heightened rhetoric follows reports that the US may consider offering Iran economic incentives.
The European Union's "big three" – France, Britain, and Germany –
added their voices to US criticism Wednesday when they said Iran's recent work on nuclear equipment parts was "of serious concern."
Meanwhile, the
US accused Iran on of "cynically" pursuing nuclear weapons, saying Tehran is trying to deceive the international community, reports
The New York Times.
"The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is still not able to provide assurances that Iran is not pursuing clandestine activities at undeclared locations," said the US ambassador to the IAEA, Jackie Sanders.
The remarks come in the wake of the presentation of an IAEA report on Iran's nuclear record in a meeting of member countries in Vienna on Tuesday. Ms. Sanders characterized the report as a "startling list of Iranian attempts to hide and mislead and delay the work" of the agency's experts.
Iran insisted again that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Sanders also added that the UN nuclear watchdog could not ignore its obligation to report Iran to the Security Council.
But the
BBC reports that such a move is "highly unlikely at this meeting", because it would "seriously undermine diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to give up its enrichment program."
The EU's tightening of its rhetoric comes days after the US reportedly considered offering incentives to Iran, lending credence to the belief that Bush's recent tour of Europe has enhanced transatlantic unity on the issue.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday that President Bush was considering ideas discussed with European leaders during his trip to the continent.
Reuters reports that
Bush will consult US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her talks with the Europeans.
Reuters also reports that Bush is believed to be considering joining the Europeans in offering Iran incentives as part of what one senior administration official cited in the report called Bush's "ongoing commitment" to work together with the Europeans.
Offering economic incentives for Iran to halt development of its nuclear program would mark a significant shift in US policy, one not welcome in some Washington circles.
Many in the US capital
doubt the effectiveness of Europe's softer approach to Iran. Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute, an influential neoconservative thinktank, says: "The longer we wait and the more we negotiate, the longer Iran has to pursue a covert program."
The road to co-operation between Europe and the US involves pursuing the "good cop, bad cop" routine because it will force the Iranians to be serious about dealing with the friendlier party. However, there's a suspicion in the US and in Europe, and a strong certainty in Iran, that when push comes to shove, the Europeans aren't going to be willing to cut the ties with the Iranians and say simply that Iran has been cheating, the deal is broken. We need to persuade the Europeans that even if you're the good cop, you have to be prepared to pull the gun and make the arrest.
Iran was expected to respond to the IAEA report Wednesday.
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