Tight schedule. Sarkozy
Photo: Reuters
G8 gives Iran deadline for nuclear talks
Leading world powers convene for annual summit in Italy, call on Tehran to agree to negotiation over nuclear ambitions or face harsher sanctions. 'If there is no progress by then we'll have to take action,' says French President Sarkozy
The Eight major powers making up the G8 decided to give Iran until September to accept negotiations over its nuclear ambitions or else face tougher sanctions, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday.
Upping the stakes in the dispute with Tehran: Sarkozy said the powers would review the situation at a G20 meeting of developed and developing countries in Pittsburgh on September 24 and 25.
Patience
News agencies
Speaking before G8 summit in Rome, US president says world must engage in dialogue with Tehran, Pyongyang in order to prevent arms race
"If there is no progress by then we will have to take action," said Sarkozy after discussions with G8 partners that wrapped up the first day of their annual summit in Italy.
Western countries believe Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran says it wants to master nuclear technology to generate electricity and has rejected all overtures for talks.
The United States and Canada said the world's main industrialized nations were growing increasingly impatient: "All G8 nations are united. There is a strong consensus that unless things change soon, there will be a need for further action," said Canadian spokesman Dimitri Soudas.
However, Sarkozy made it clear that Russia was still dragging its feet over the issue and had pushed for more time before considering a fresh round of sanctions.
"We made an effort to agree not to boost sanctions straightaway in order to bring everyone on board. The more reserved amongst us agreed that Pittsburgh was the time for decisions," said Sarkozy.
In a separate statement, the G8 said it was committed to finding a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program: "We sincerely hope that Iran will seize this opportunity to give diplomacy a chance," the statement said.
It deplored the violence in Iran following last month's disputed presidential election and said the arrests of journalists and foreigners were "unacceptable."
Nuclear Proliferation
Underscoring G8 concerns over nuclear proliferation, world powers' leaders urged a quick start to talks on a treaty banning production of nuclear bomb-making materials and called on all states to observe a moratorium on nuclear explosions.
They confirmed Washington would host a nuclear security summit in March, White House officials said.
"This is another important piece of the non-proliferation agenda that (President Barack Obama) has put forward," White House adviser Mark Lippert said.
Obama has laid out a vision of a world without nuclear arms and this week agreed with Russia to cut respective stockpiles.
Wednesday's G8 statement condemned missile tests in North Korea, saying they were a danger to peace and stability: "We urge (North Korea) to refrain from further violations of relevant Security Council resolutions and to engage in dialogue and cooperation," the statement said.
Turning to the Middle East, the G8 reiterated calls for a swift resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over the creation of two separate states.
"We also call for the immediate opening of the crossings for humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza, in a manner that respects Israel's security," the statement said.
