Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
West threatens Iran sanctions, offers talks
| International
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
International
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Environment
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
West threatens Iran sanctions, offers talks
Sat Feb 7, 2009 12:37pm EST
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Kerstin Gehmlich and Noah Barkin
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Western powers said on Saturday Iran risked isolation and more sanctions if it did not comply with demands to rein in its nuclear program, but Washington also reaffirmed its offer for talk with Tehran.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference during his first trip to Europe as U.S. vice president, Joe Biden said the international community had to work together to convince Iran to forgo the development of nuclear weapons.
"We will be willing to talk to Iran, and to offer a very clear choice: continue down your current course and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon the illicit nuclear program and your support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives," Biden said.
Biden's comments chimed with remarks by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said Berlin hoped for a diplomatic solution to the dispute, but added:
"I think the new U.S. administration will make its approach toward Iran clear to us in coming months....We are ready to walk this path together. But we are also ready for tougher sanctions if there is no progress."
French President Sarkozy told the same conference there was no alternative to tightening sanctions against Iran if it does not meet western demands. He called on Russia to cooperate with other powers on such a move. "We need the Russians to help so that sanctions against Iran are effective," Sarkozy said.
"We have only one solution left, reinforce sanctions against Iran and link Russia to this process...It is up to Russia to decide which face it wants to show. If it wants peace it should show it. If it wants to be a (global player), it should help us with Iran," he said.
Sarkozy said Iran's announcement it had launched a satellite into orbit for the first time was "extremely bad news."
LARIJANI-SOLANA TALKS
Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran's parliament, told the conference on Friday the new White House could rebuild some of the bridges that had been destroyed by the Bush administration.
But he said this required a "pragmatic strategy based on fair play" and he questioned whether a change of tone from Obama really meant the United States was prepared to work toward a diplomatic solution with Iran.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solona, who met Larijani for talks on the sidelines of the conference, called Washington's offer of talks a "very, very important change."
"The Iranians have to think very very carefully about the meaning of that and contribute also with a positive response," Solana, who has led Western negotiation efforts with Iran, told reporters in Munich.
An EU diplomat, referring to the talks with Larijani, said: "(Larijani) was in a very, very good mood -- very tranquil -- they know that something is moving so they have to push for it."
The U.N. Security Council has imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment. Western powers suspect the work is aimed at building an atomic bomb. Tehran says it is for peaceful power generation only.
(Addtional reporting by David Brunnstrom)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
My Web
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Australia bushfires kill 14, more feared dead
Also on Reuters
Slideshow
Slideshow: Portraits of the Congo conflict
Digital scans of "Lucy" take pre-humans inside out
Video
Video: Angelina Jolie visits refugee camp
More International News
Australia bushfires kill 14, more feared dead
| Video
Rebels target new Somali president with mortars
Ecuador's president orders U.S. official to leave
Venezuela opposition protests Chavez reelection plan
Taliban say behead Polish hostage in Pakistan
More International News...
Video
U.S. new foreign policy
Play Video
More Video...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Savings lost to Madoff, elderly forced back to work
Senators reach deal on stimulus bill
Obama's promised health care overhaul delayed
UPDATE 1-Dow Jones costs News Corp $2.8 bln in writedown
Fed's Yellen sees dynamics similar to Depression
UPDATE 1-Obama greets stimulus deal, pounds Republican ideas
Israel to Obama: hold Iran's feet to fire, or else | Video
Obama greets stimulus deal, pounds Republican ideas
Drug-dealing milkman spared jail
Bank of America CEO close to the edge
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Exotic animals: drug dealers' prey
Phelps responds to marijuana photo
U.S. new foreign policy
China fake drugs scandal
Angelina Jolie visits refugee camp
Senate struggle over stimulus
Oval Office attire
Annual island protest in Japan
Bushfires kill 14
Drillers find dinosaur foot bone
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
The Great Debate
World Affairs:
America's long Afghan war
Bernd Debusmann
Twenty years ago, the last Soviet soldier left Afghanistan after a disastrous war that lasted over nine years. Barring a miracle, the U.S. will stay considerably longer in Afghanistan. Commentary
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Interactive TV |
Labs |
Reuters in Second Life |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 8 February 2009 West threatens Iran sanctions, offers talks
| International
|
Rebels target new Somali president with mortars
| International
|
Ecuador's president orders U.S. official to leave
| International
|
Venezuela opposition protests Chavez reelection plan
| International
|
India's Congress wants Pakistan declared terror state
| International
|
Baluch group says holds American hostage in Pakistan
| International
|
Plague-Infested Mice Missing From New Jersey Research Lab
Vice President Biden Outlines America's "New Foreign Policy"
Mentally Ill Man Kills Parents, Wounds Police During Standoff
German Bosnia film takes critical view of tribunal
| Entertainment
|
Tommy Lee Jones stars as detective Robicheaux in new film
| Entertainment
|
Plague-Infested Mice Missing From New Jersey Research Lab
Israel says Gaza rocket hits south, damages cars
Bushfires rage in Australia, 50 dead
| International
|
NATO must go for drug lords: Afghan minister
Cairo seeks Gaza truce, prisoner deal: diplomats
| International
|
Cairo seeks Gaza truce and prisoner deal
Japan's Somalia piracy patrol possible in March: reports
| International
|
Last El Salvador soldiers back from Iraq
Amid deepening economic gloom, some see hope
Venezuela opposition protests Chavez reelection plan
| International
|
U.S. commanders favour slower Iraq pullout
Unnatural selection: How far will parents go?
Britain orders bank bonuses, management probe
Family of slain contractor sues Halliburton, KBR
Up to 25 shot dead at Madagascar demonstration: police
| International
|
German cabinet in limbo after finance minister's bid to quit fails
Military: 2 injured in accidental Iraq shooting
OPEC to cut output in March: Iraqi oil minister
Hamas heavyweight in Egypt for Gaza talks
Party rejects German minister's resignation: report
German economy minister submits resignation: spokesman
El Salvador withdraws last soldiers from Iraq
Obama's Labor Pick Dogged By Tax Issues
Obama to overhaul security team
Update: Rescuers Save Over 150 People From Lake Erie Ice, One Killed
Over 100 Trapped On 8-Mile Ice Slab On Lake Erie
Biden to meet Russian deputy PM
TED ends with hope clever solutions will trump daunting woes
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,238
Computer model says Iran won't build nuclear bombs
US seeks fresh start in ties with Russia: Biden
US will ask others to take Guantanamo inmates: Biden
Swiss weigh up EU immigration in crucial vote
Slumdog, Milk win top screenwriting awards
| Entertainment
|
Japan's anti-piracy mission ready in March: minister
Drought-hit China to divert waters from two longest rivers: report
Boy feared snatched by crocodile in Australia
Bushfires rage in Australia, 65 dead
65 killed in Australia's wildfire 'hell'
Chinese mining group to invest 1 bln dollars in Peru
South Asian chasm of mistrust awaits Obama's envoy
Japan PM to draft 'Green New Deal:' report
Vietnam reports 2nd bird flu case this year
Fraud-hit Satyam's new CEO says firm can do 'the impossible'
Japan's Somalia piracy patrol possible in March
640 houses lost in Australia's deadly fires
Do you like green eggs and ham? Food designers push the limits
Malaysia to lower electricity cost by 7-10 pct: reports
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Slumdog", "Milk" win top screenwriting awards
Creator of iconic Obama 'Hope" poster arrested for graffiti: report
Senegal's rice farmers given boost by food crisis
Lil Wayne, Coldplay eye Grammys glory
Women to take to employment helm in the US
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Placido Domingo tries to turn back clock at Met
Israeli candidates battle for voters as election nears
Rain eases China drought
| International
|
Trial date set for Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush
24 bodies pulled from plane wreck in Brazil river
| International
|
US warns of battle worse than Iraq in Afghanistan
All eyes on US Treasury's upcoming banking plan
Gaza children traumatized after Israeli offensive
| International
|
Iran building four more satellites: report
| International
|
Egypt hopes for Gaza truce deal 'in few days'
Nearly 14,000 flee Sri Lanka's war zone
| International
|
Egypt hopes for Gaza truce deal 'very soon'
Iraq bomb kills two Shi'ite pilgrims
| International
|
Assault trial date set for Bush shoe assailant
| International
|
Workers end strike on Thai resort island
| International
|
U.S. Afghan troops unfazed by Kyrgyz base closure
American Head Of UN Relief Agency Kidnapped In Pakistan
Pope, Merkel mend fences over Holocaust row
First Woman To Swim The Atlantic Reaches Trinidad
U.S. Expresses Disappointed Over Russia's Plan To Put Up Bases In Abkhazia, S. Ossetia
Corrected: Navy Missile Cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73) Grounded On Honolulu Reef
2 US soldiers defusing bomb killed in Afghanistan
Ferries collide in Bangladesh, 10 die
Sri Lanka navy destroys 2 rebel boats
10 dead in boat accident in Bangladesh
'Slumdog Millionaire' wins top screenwriting honors
Rain eases China drought
Iran's About Elly praised at Berlin fest
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan probes group's claim of holding American
Thai soldiers raid human rights office in south
China fights drought with chemical cloud-seeding
New Zealand house prices fall in January
Japan minister suggests additional stimulus plan
Iran's "About Elly" praised at Berlin fest
Thai PM defends economic stimulus package
Whitney Houston makes triumphant comback at party
TEXT-Elbit Systems's Elisra gets South Korean contract
'Slumdog Millionaire' wins top screenwriting honors
Hynix develops new 40-nm-class memory chip
Jessica Biel hosts Sci-Tech Oscars
Passengers Escape Burning Bus In Freak Accident
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights