US warns Turkey

[Sari Galin]

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The permanent representative of the US in the IAEA warns Turkey on the timing of widening its economic relations with arch enemy Iran.

ANKARA – Turkish Daily News

The United States yesterday warned Turkey not to do business with U.S. arch foe Iran, a reaction that follows an agreement between the two neighbors on trading electricity.

“This is not the time for business as usual with Iran,” said Ambassador Greg Schulte, permanent representative of the U.S. to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Schulte talking with a group of Turkish journalists via digital video conference from Vienna, said that a third U.N. Security Council resolution against Iranian nuclear proliferation program is expected to be announced soon.

“It's wrong to give carrots to the rabbit while it's spinning around its center,” said Schulte drawing attention to the employment of a “carrot and stick” approach against Tehran.

Turkey, a close ally of the U.S., agreed to boost its ties with Iran in the fields of electricity, dam building and building of a power station on May 31. The agreement stipulates that Turkey and Iran will share information and know-how.

While the U.S. is pushing to apply economic sanctions on Iran, the ambassador added that the U.S. is aware of Turkish sensitivity and noted that economic relations with Iran is one of the big carrots on the table to convince the Iranian leadership.

“Diplomacy is not done only through words and written notes,” added Schulte.

Turkey is not eager for the application of economic sanctions against its neighbor, Iran, for economic and political reasons. Schulte stated that there is intense cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. and Charge d' Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Nancy McEldowney added, “We work hand in hand to achieve our goals.”

The IAEA's 35-member board, which enforces the nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty, met to discuss Iran's nuclear activities last week in Vienna. IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei reported to the UN Security Council on May 23 that Iran continues enriching uranium, contravening U.N. demands for it to stop doing so. The Security Council is gearing up toward a new round of even tighter sanctions against Iran, the Group of Eight leaders said June 8 in Germany.

Iran accused the U.S. and the European Union of expanding the conditions that are required to lift U.N. sanctions.

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