EU doubts effectiveness of new sanctions

According to a Financial Times report, France, Germany and Britain, the so-called EU3, are proposing a tough list of additional sanctions to be imposed against Iran, and some Iranian enterprises, including Bank Tejaret, one of Iran's largest commercial banks, entities and individuals are listed for sanctions.

The report, though yet to be confirmed, sheds some light on the direction of the EU's policy on Iran.

Since 2007, the EU has been trying, to no avail, to pressure Iran into changing its position on the nuclear issue through a mix of diplomacy and sanctions.

In a bid to break the stalemate, the EU has been mulling fresh sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program. At the 45th Munich Security Conference held in February, European leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband all warned Iran over its nuclear issue.

Sarkozy made it clear Western powers would have to toughen their sanctions against Iran if the country failed to meet the West's demands.

However, analysts doubted the effectiveness of further sanctions, should there be any, saying they could hardly affect the core interests of the Iranian economy.

US engagement policy sparks international dispute

Since the Obama administration came into office, its favorite phrases have been "engage," "listen to" and "negotiate," so frequently used that it is eager to show there is some departure in its diplomacy from that of the previous administration.

At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, while expounding on the U.S. foreign policy, said the United States was reviewing its policy toward Iran and was ready for dialogue with that country.

But back at home in the United States, opinions are diverging over the need to negotiate with Iran.

Although Iran insists on pursuing its nuclear rights, the Obama administration is not going back on its pledges to negotiate with Iran. However, critics say that holding talks with Iran is a show of weakness and is not worth the candle.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)