Infopuntual (in Spanish), 1 Jun 2010

The President of Brazil is upset. The degree of reaction by the United States concerning his diplomatic efforts with the Prime Minister of Turkey about the Iranian nuclear program, outraged Brasilia. Neither the United States teenager's criticism nor the Brazilian obfuscation are good advisers when dealing with such sensitive issues. Both countries should lower their tones.

The issue is here the lack of dialogue and of adequate previous consultations.

Strategic problems cannot and should not be handled as if they were a tariff trouble, by simply raising or lowering rates. On the other hand, the United States should recognize that strategic issues are of interest and concern to all States, regardless of their geographic location, and not of the exclusive competence of a handful of them. This means that consultations are essential to a more balanced multilateral world, without the right to unilateral action, and where it is justifiable for different schools on same matters to exist. And, in particular, on one matter such as nuclear weapons that builds the power among nations and the stability of the world.

Brazil should also recognize that the proposal was partial and did not resolve the problem, by leaving open the central issue of concern, which is ultimately to deal with Iran's ability to enrich uranium to 20%. The proposal should have included some Iranian commitment to halt industrial capacity that is not based on any technical justification.

In front of the exchange, and therefore, the assurance of fuel elements for its nuclear reactor for radioisotopes production, there is no reason to continue enriching at such level, unless you have bad intentions. That is the matter for the United States. Iran does not help build trust.

Tehran's provocations and challenges are consistent with verbal excesses that cause worry about a Middle East that is unable to find a way of peace. The confrontational attitude of all parties only leads to a spiral of violence, able to produce a cataclysm. The possibility of nuclear weapons held by Iran would only accelerate the catastrophe.

Doubt is the best way to solve the equation. Brazil likely opted for the step-by-step diplomacy, with the hoping that Iran amended its intentions. It was described by the United States as naive, with the risk of speeding up dangers.

United States, on the other hand, intends that the sanctions applied by United Nations Security Council make Iran change its attitude. That might also be equally naive, as well as dangerous.

That assumption, which Iran could take as an aggression, could have an underlying germ of attitudes of force and retaliation. Against this picture, that affects international peace and security, the worst thing that may happen are the contradictory messages.

Iran needs to get a clear and unanimous signal that the world would not tolerate the transition toward a nuclear weapon. United States and Brazil, instead of disputing reputation, should work together in the G20 to find a multilateral solution for an issue which is not of any exclusive jurisdiction.

Translation: NPSGlobal

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