by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Nov. 3, 2006
All Rights Reserved.

lashing his cards, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signaled Russia would oppose tough sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend its nuclear enrichment program. Since the Aug. 31 U.N. deadline passed for Iran to stop enriching uranium, Iran's firebrand President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stubbornly refused to heed calls for compliance with U.N. Resolution 1696. When the Security Council adopted the resolution July 31, Amhadinejad knew its allies Russia and China opposed punitive sanctions and would, if necessary, use vetoes to halt such action. After China recently pressured North Korea's Kim Jong-Il to stop nuclear testing, Tehran could no longer count on China to foil the U.N. Security Council's efforts to rein-in Iran's atomic program. Russia walks a tightrope building Iran's Bushehr reactor and, at the same time, binding itself to U.N. sanctions.

      Tehran's refusal to permit Mohamed ElBaradei's International Atomic Energy Agency open inspections led to suspicions that its enrichment program was not for “peaceful” purposes. With all Ahmadinejad's talk about “wiping Israel off the map,” it's no wonder U.S. and European Union diplomats express doubts about Tehran's “peaceful” nuclear program. Ahmadinejad has refused any limitations on uranium enrichment, insisting it's within Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Russia balked when the Security Council drafted language that would ban the supply of material and technology that could be used in Iran's nuclear and missile programs, imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on individuals and businesses involved in Iran's proliferation activities. If adopted, that language would preclude Russia from completing current contractual obligations with Tehran.

      Russia currently has a billion-dollar contract for building Iran's Bushehr reactor. While not connected with Iran's current enrichment activities at its Natanz facility, Russia supplies material and technology to complete the Bushehr project. “Measures which we would introduce would have to be reasonable, take account of the real situation, should be proportional to the actual situation with regard s to the nuclear program in Iran and should also be in stages,” said Lavrov, raising more questions than answers about Russia's objections to the Security Council's sanctions. Russia seeks assurances that it could continue servicing the billion-dollar contract while adopting the Security Council's sanctions. Tehran doesn't get that its bellicose rhetoric, especially toward Israel, raises red flags about its nuclear ambitions. Toning down the rhetoric would soften international objections.

      European Union Foreign policy chief Javier Solana met for weeks and got nowhere with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larinjani. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ahmandinejad refused to budge on giving up uranium enrichment, pushing the Security Council to take action. “What the EU drew up went way beyond what was agreed,” said Lavrov, commenting about American, European, Chinese and Russian proposals to halt Iran's uranium enrichment. Lavrov wouldn't or couldn't specify what language proved unacceptable. While not mentioning Russian commitments at Bushehr, it's more apparent that Russia wants assurances that it could meet its contractual obligations without violating the Security Council. Helping Iran build a new reactor runs counter to U.N. efforts to win concessions with Tehran on its atomic programs.

      Putin needs to follow China's lead and get over self-interest for the good of humanity. A nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize the Middle East, emboldening Tehran to take unwanted risks. When Chinese President Hu Jintao put hid foot down with Kim Jong-Il, it heralded a new era of Chinese leadership. It's time for Putin, known for a mixed bag on a free press and human rights, to do what's best for the global community, not Russia's self-interest. Tehran's belligerent rhetoric and support of terrorists demands that Russia place global leadership over current contracts and financial obligations. Exempting Bushehr from sanctions would help Putin do what's right and rein-in Ahmadinejad's nuclear ambitions. Before Putin leaves office in 2008, it's necessary for him to take a stand against nuclear proliferation. Standing up to Tehran is an important first step.

      Multilateral diplomacy proved effective in dealing with the North Korea nuclear crisis. Ahmadinejad shares some of Kim Jong-Il's penchant for high drama and brinkmanship. Before Ahmadinejad's really joins the “nuclear club,” Putin must help the Security Council to clip his wings. In order for collective action to work, veto-wielding powers must shelve self-interest in the service of global security. If multilateralism fails, the world community knows the consequences. U.N. diplomats watched helplessly as Cruise missiles and smart bombs hit Baghdad March 20, 2003, toppling Saddam and unleashing unimaginable destruction and chaos. Sooner or later, the U.S. will have to rethink its Iraq mission, coming to grips with reality, not politics. When an exit strategy is finally in place, the U.S. will calculate emerging threats and possible action, especially Iran and North Korea.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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