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Obama pressed to target center of Iran economy
A number of US lawmakers are mounting pressure on the Obama administration to slap new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. Republican Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman, and Democratic Senator Evan Bayh called on President Barack Obama to target the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) with sanctions, should the proposed talks fail to bring about Washington's desired results. The lawmakers introduced a bill calling for action against Tehran in case it does not accept Obama's offer of direct talks before a late September summit of the Group of 20 (G20), or refuses to halt uranium enrichment within 60 days after that. "Whether one believes 'engaging' directly with the regime in Tehran will accomplish anything, there is no question that time is of the essence," said Kyl. "Every day that passes is time that the Iranians use to perfect a nuclear weapon and stockpile nuclear weapons material," he added. Western powers accuse Tehran of secretly enriching weapons-grade uranium -- an allegation Iran has repeatedly denied. Tehran has asserted that its uranium enrichment is a peaceful drive to produce electricity. Incoming IAEA Chief, Yukiya Amano, has also said that there is no conclusive evidence to prove that Tehran is enriching weapons-grade uranium. Lieberman, however, said that he supported Obama's offer of direct talks but added that "the Iranians need to understand that this is a limited time offer." "The regime must decide to change course, soon, or face severe sanctions for its continued defiance of the international community," said McCain for his part. "If Iranian officials are unwilling to sit down at the table and negotiate, then Congress is prepared to authorize crippling economic sanctions," said Bayh. The four lawmakers have introduced the measure as an amendment to an annual defense spending budget bill. The amendment says the US must adopt tougher economic sanctions on Iran, should Washington fail to push through more embargoes against the country at the UN Security Council. During a recent summit in Italy, world powers agreed to assess Iran's nuclear cooperation at the upcoming G20 gathering, which is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before the UN General Assembly. Iran, however, says that the only UN body relevant to its nuclear dossier is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and it maintains that it has shown exceptional cooperation with international inspectors in clarifying its intentions. Posted by: Fred 2009-07-22 |
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