Bush calls for “universal ” sanctions against Iran
Washington, 15 June (IranVNC)—The West needs to increase pressure on Iran in order to secure the Middle East or risk a nuclear arms race in the region, US President George W. Bush said in an interview published today.
By: IranVNC
Published: Sunday, June 15, 2008
13:54GMT—9:54AM/EST
BUSH – IRAN – NUCLEAR - SANCTIONS
Washington, 15 June (IranVNC)—The West needs to increase pressure on Iran in order to secure the Middle East or risk a nuclear arms race in the region, US President George W. Bush said in an interview published today.
Changing Iran’s behavior requires international cooperation, Bush said in an interview in Rome with Britain’s Observer newspaper, explaining: “The only way to achieve consequences through diplomacy is for there to be a universal application – in this case, of sanctions,” he said. “Unilateral sanctions do not work.”
Bush was speaking ahead of a visit to London, where he will wrap up a European tour during which he has gained support from Germany, Italy and France for efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to Bush, has replaced the problem of a Palestinian state as the focus of discussions on the region.
“The dialogue has shifted dramatically from ‘solve the Palestinian state and you’ve solved the problems in the Middle East’ to, now, ‘solve the Iranian issue and you solve the problems in the Middle East’ “, he said.
The way to solve this problem is through “more sanctions,” the newspaper quoted Bush as saying. “The next step is for the Europeans and the United States and Russia to understand that diplomacy only works if there are consequences.”
“If the people in the Middle East do not think that the United States and Europe, for example, are going to work to provide security, they will find ways to secure themselves,” he said. “And what the Middle East does not need is a nuclear arms race.”
Bush will meet Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II today and will hold talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on issues including Iran’s nuclear program and Iraq.
He will fly to Northern Ireland tomorrow before returning to Washington.
Sources: The Observer website
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