AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE,
Washington: In announcing Wednesday a US offer to join the talks on Tehran's nuclear program, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered a comprehensive outline of US policy on Iran.
Here are the key points of Rice's remarks in a question-and-answer format:
Will the United States talk directly to the Iranians?
– “To underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance the prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table with our EU colleagues and meet with Iran's representatives.”
Will the United States discuss security guarantees for Iran?
– “We have not been asked about security assurances and I don't expect that we will be.”
Is there a quid-pro-quo with Russia and China that they will support UN sanctions against Iran if negotiations stall?
– “There is substantial agreement and understanding that Iran faces a clear choice. I think you can be sure that our friends and our partners understand the importance of the step and the importance that the Iranians must now see of making a choice and making that choice clearly. I think we have very good understanding with our partners about that.”
Why did the United States, which had stayed on the sidelines of the European-led negotiations with Iran, change course?
– “This is the last excuse (for Iran), in some sense. There have been those who have said, 'Well, if only the negotiations had the potential for the United States to be a part of them, perhaps then Iran would respond.' So now we have a pretty clear path.”
“We now believe that having created a strong climate of opinion in which a great number of states are united around a clear concept of what Iran must do … the United States might be able now to add weight to the negotiating track by joining these discussions.”
Where do discussions with other powers on a package of incentives or UN sanctions for Iran stand ahead of Thursday's meeting in Vienna of the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany?
– “Our political directors have been working on that package. They have made good progress. I think that we have substantial progress. There are some outstanding issues that I would hope to be able to work on in Vienna.”
Is this a diplomatic breakthrough towards normalization of US-Iranian relations?
– “I want to make clear, we're not talking about what some would characterize as a grand bargain. What we're talking about here is an effort to enhance the chances for a successful negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear problem. … This is not a bilateral negotiation between the United States and Iran, on the whole host of issues that would lead to broader relations between Iran and the United States.”
What about other US complaints against Iran such as its alleged support for terrorism and interference in Lebanon and Iraq?
– “The United States is ready to join the EU-3 to press these and other issues with the Iranian government in addition to our work to resolve the nuclear danger.”
Will the United States pursue other actions against Iran outside of eventual negotiations and UN action?
– “We will continue to work with our international partners to end the proliferation trade globally, to bar all proliferators from international financial resources and to end support for terror. We also intend to work with our friends and allies to strengthen their defensive capabilities, their counterproliferation and counterterrorism efforts, and their energy security capabilities.”
Is the United States willing to take the option of using military force against Iran off the table while negotiations last?
– “The president is not going to take any of his options off the table temporarily or otherwise.”
