<!-- IMAGE -->U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is meeting this week with representatives from the four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council – Britain, China, France and Russia – along with Germany. The group, known as the P5+1, is getting together on the sidelines of the U.N's annual General Assembly meeting in New York to prepare for upcoming discussions with representatives of Iran on October 1.
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton says the October meeting is a critical opportunity for Iran to address the international community's concerns about its nuclear program:
"Those concerns have been underscored repeatedly by the International Atomic Energy Agency [the IAEA] and the U.N. Security Council. Iran's continued failure to live up to its obligations carries profound consequences -- for the security of the United States and our allies; for progress on global nonproliferation and progress toward disarmament; for the credibility of the IAEA and the Security Council and the Nonproliferation Treaty; and of course for stability in the Persian Gulf, the Middle East, and beyond."
Iran is facing a choice, said Secretary of State Clinton:
"The international community has made abundantly clear what is possible for all Iranians if Iran lives up to its responsibilities on the nuclear issue – benefits of economic connections to the rest of the world, cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy, and partnership in education and science. But there will be accompanying costs for Iran's continued defiance – more isolation and economic pressure, less possibility of progress for the people of Iran."
Under President Barack Obama, the United States has made a strong effort to reach out both to the Iranian government and people, said Secretary of State Clinton. "We have made clear our desire to resolve issues with Iran diplomatically. Iran must now decide whether to join us in this effort."
But the P5+1 has no appetite for talks without action, she said. "Engagement must produce real results."
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton says the October meeting is a critical opportunity for Iran to address the international community's concerns about its nuclear program:
"Those concerns have been underscored repeatedly by the International Atomic Energy Agency [the IAEA] and the U.N. Security Council. Iran's continued failure to live up to its obligations carries profound consequences -- for the security of the United States and our allies; for progress on global nonproliferation and progress toward disarmament; for the credibility of the IAEA and the Security Council and the Nonproliferation Treaty; and of course for stability in the Persian Gulf, the Middle East, and beyond."
Iran is facing a choice, said Secretary of State Clinton:
"The international community has made abundantly clear what is possible for all Iranians if Iran lives up to its responsibilities on the nuclear issue – benefits of economic connections to the rest of the world, cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy, and partnership in education and science. But there will be accompanying costs for Iran's continued defiance – more isolation and economic pressure, less possibility of progress for the people of Iran."
Under President Barack Obama, the United States has made a strong effort to reach out both to the Iranian government and people, said Secretary of State Clinton. "We have made clear our desire to resolve issues with Iran diplomatically. Iran must now decide whether to join us in this effort."
But the P5+1 has no appetite for talks without action, she said. "Engagement must produce real results."
