xuxu1457
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Don't bury hope of negotiations on Iran
Source: Global Times [04:26 February 10 2010] Comments
The coordination mechanism of the world's major powers is confronted with a grave challenge. At present, consensus has been reached among 4.5 of the six nations, which virtually have the power to determine the future of Iran.
The US, Britain, France and Germany have formed an "iron and steel" alliance, while Russia remains vacillating. Again that makes China the focus of the international community.
Relations between the West and Iran have been plagued by persistent conflicts over the decades. This is evidenced by the Western powers' misgivings over Iran's covert engagement with developing nuclear weapons while Iran claimed that it is granted the right to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful ends.
Over the decades, Iran has been subjected to a hostile international environment, and its relationship with the West has been eroded of trust.
Any national government will resort to extreme measures when faced with the prospect of a collapse. In such a situation, patience – and patience alone – can rebuild trust among all concerned parties. Abrupt actions such as launching missiles, undertaking high-level uranium enrichment and threatening sanctions will only result in deepening suspicion and hatred.
However, it seems that the West and Iran have no room for patience right now. Both would like to show their toughness in the hope the other side can be made to compromise. The aggressive attitude is also affecting their stand toward China. Perhaps, they think that China will bend in the face of pressure and take sides even at the cost of China's interests.
China has economic stakes in Iran, and China is determined to protect its interest through diplomacy. But the stand China adopts over Iran's nuclear issue is consistent with its long-held principle: To solve such issues through negotiations. Past instances have proved that sanctions only make matters worse. There will be no winner if sanctions drive Iran into a corner.
Both Iran and the West have to show restraint and prevent the crisis from spinning out of control.
The issue will not end with the vote that China cast in the UN Security Council. All parties need to keep in mind that the situation China is facing is the difficulty of bringing them together. China does not want to see this issue worsen further, edging toward a military clash.
Some voices have recently surfaced in the Western media asking for isolating China on the issue. These voices are extremely shallow and ludicrous.
As a major country, China's interests should be respected, and its difficulties considered.
The solution to the tensions over Iran is cooperation among the major powers. Otherwise, why have the Western powers been shuttling between their own capitals for talks?
Former US trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky had said earlier that to reach an agreement is to make sure the agreement is beneficial to all sides. Otherwise there will not be a deal, or even if there is, it will simply not go forward to implementation. This is the reason that China insists on seeking a solution through negotiations.
Whoever chooses to force or hurt a major party like China will certainly have to pay the price.
Source: Global Times [04:26 February 10 2010] Comments
The coordination mechanism of the world's major powers is confronted with a grave challenge. At present, consensus has been reached among 4.5 of the six nations, which virtually have the power to determine the future of Iran.
The US, Britain, France and Germany have formed an "iron and steel" alliance, while Russia remains vacillating. Again that makes China the focus of the international community.
Relations between the West and Iran have been plagued by persistent conflicts over the decades. This is evidenced by the Western powers' misgivings over Iran's covert engagement with developing nuclear weapons while Iran claimed that it is granted the right to utilize nuclear energy for peaceful ends.
Over the decades, Iran has been subjected to a hostile international environment, and its relationship with the West has been eroded of trust.
Any national government will resort to extreme measures when faced with the prospect of a collapse. In such a situation, patience – and patience alone – can rebuild trust among all concerned parties. Abrupt actions such as launching missiles, undertaking high-level uranium enrichment and threatening sanctions will only result in deepening suspicion and hatred.
However, it seems that the West and Iran have no room for patience right now. Both would like to show their toughness in the hope the other side can be made to compromise. The aggressive attitude is also affecting their stand toward China. Perhaps, they think that China will bend in the face of pressure and take sides even at the cost of China's interests.
China has economic stakes in Iran, and China is determined to protect its interest through diplomacy. But the stand China adopts over Iran's nuclear issue is consistent with its long-held principle: To solve such issues through negotiations. Past instances have proved that sanctions only make matters worse. There will be no winner if sanctions drive Iran into a corner.
Both Iran and the West have to show restraint and prevent the crisis from spinning out of control.
The issue will not end with the vote that China cast in the UN Security Council. All parties need to keep in mind that the situation China is facing is the difficulty of bringing them together. China does not want to see this issue worsen further, edging toward a military clash.
Some voices have recently surfaced in the Western media asking for isolating China on the issue. These voices are extremely shallow and ludicrous.
As a major country, China's interests should be respected, and its difficulties considered.
The solution to the tensions over Iran is cooperation among the major powers. Otherwise, why have the Western powers been shuttling between their own capitals for talks?
Former US trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky had said earlier that to reach an agreement is to make sure the agreement is beneficial to all sides. Otherwise there will not be a deal, or even if there is, it will simply not go forward to implementation. This is the reason that China insists on seeking a solution through negotiations.
Whoever chooses to force or hurt a major party like China will certainly have to pay the price.
