MEDIA RELEASE
6 December 2005
EU and US policy won't stop Iran acquiring
nuclear weapons
Transatlantic experts call for compromise
and
creative diplomacy to avert 'full-scale crisis'
EU and US policies towards Tehran are unlikely to achieve the
objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,
according to an expert
statement published today.
The statement, coordinated by the British American Security
Information Council (BASIC) and issued by 50 experts in nuclear
security, conflict prevention and Middle East affairs, calls on all
sides in this dispute to adopt a more constructive and flexible
approach. "The US and EU have to recognise the limits of their
influence and their threats....Diplomacy and creative compromise on
all sides are the only acceptable choice," they say.
Among those who support this transatlantic initiative are:
Professor Robert Hinde, chair of British Pugwash and
co-author with the late Sir Joseph Rotblat of "War no more:
eliminating conflict in the nuclear age"; Hans von
Sponeck, Former UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq; Jack
Mendelsohn, Adjunct Professor, Elliott School of International
Affairs, George Washington University; Peggy Mason, former
Chair of the UN Expert Study Group on Verification and former
Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament at the UN; Dr Vladimir
Orlov, Director of the Centre for Policy Studies in Moscow and
a leading Russian authority on non-proliferation issues; Dr Ali
Ansari, lecturer in Iranian politics and Associate Fellow at
Chatham House, Air Marshal the Lord Garden, former assistant
chief of defence staff and writer on security and foreign policy
issues; Brian Eno, musician and writer; and Sir David
Hare, leading British playwright.
It is uncertain whether Tehran is seeking to acquire threshold
nuclear weapons capability and experts agree that a nuclear armed
Iran would be dangerous and destabilising. However the current
EU/US strategy makes rigid demands of Iran without adequate treaty
authority, appears discriminatory and is likely to strengthen the
Iranian government's resolve to pursue nuclear technology and a
weapons capability. Threats to refer Iran to the UN Security
Council for punitive action lack credibility and do not have
sufficient international support.
Setting out ideas to take the diplomatic process forward, the
statement says: "The current nuclear dispute is not the cause,
but a symptom, of a failed relationship." With best estimates
suggesting that Iran is several years and possibly a decade away
from any potential nuclear weapon, the signatories make the
following suggestions to reinvigorate talks:
To the US and EU:
- accept limited nuclear fuel production by Iran, possibly
including the production of low-enriched uranium, under extensive
safeguards described in the statement.
- offer Iran a precise and detailed plan of action addressing its
economic and security concerns.
To Iran:
- accept continuous, in-country IAEA inspections.
- stop construction of the heavy water reactor at Arak, which is
a dangerous potential source of plutonium for nuclear weapons.
- give up all ambitions to reprocess spent nuclear fuel.
- renounce all rights to withdraw from the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran's past concealment of important parts of its nuclear
programme and the wholly unacceptable threats towards Israel
recently reiterated by President Ahmadinejad fully justifies
international concern. However, inflexibility on the part of the EU
and US has also damaged prospects of a negotiated settlement.
Stereotyping of Iran and Islamic culture - often picked up by
the western media - is also hindering progress. There is no
substitute for proper engagement. The half-truths and manufactured
fears used to build support against Iraq must not be employed again
to demonise Iran.
Further information:
Paul Ingram, Senior Analyst, BASIC +44 (0) 207
324 4680
Katy Cronin, Political Analyst and Campaigner, Crisis Action +44
(0) 207 324 4748
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