'5+1 must not allow Sarkozy to undermine future talks with Iran'

TEHRAN, April 17 (MNA) – South Alabama University professor Nader Entessar says, “France continues to remain inflexible in its demand for Iran to completely disband all of its nuclear enrichment plans even though they remain legal under the NPT.” However the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) “must not allow President Nicolas Sarkozy to undermine the future rounds of negotiations” with Iran which is scheduled to be held in Baghdad on May 23, Entessar told the Mehr News Agency. Following is the text of the interview: Q: What is your assessment of recent dialogue between Iran and 5+1 group? A: Based on the preliminary information that is available publicly as of now, the latest round of Iran-5+1 negotiations in Istanbul have been the most successful ones. The statement released by the European Union's High Representative Catherine Ashton clearly indicates that the general atmosphere of the Istanbul talks was positive, and that both sides wish to continue to move to a sustained process of serious dialogue. Ms. Ashton's sentiments were also echoed by Mr. Jalili, the head of Iran's delegation, in his press conference. Q: Do you think the negotiations in Istanbul can help resolve the protracted nuclear dispute between Iran and the West? A: However, there are still several obstacles that have to be overcome before one can judge the success of any Iran-5+1 talks in the long run. The issue of trust or mutual confidence remains the most significant stumbling block. In other words, the success of confidence building measures on both sides will determine the success of the next step, or steps, in coming months. Furthermore, it appears that France continues to remain inflexible in its demand for Iran to completely disband all of its nuclear enrichment plans even though they remain legal under the NPT. France's role as the "spoiler" should be addressed in the next round of negotiations. The members of 5+1 must not allow President Nicolas Sarkozy to undermine the future rounds of negotiations. Another major problem has to do with the timing of the negotiations. This is a presidential election year in the United States, and President Obama's opponents in the Republican Party are using their "Iran card" to put pressure on Obama not to concede anything in the negotiations. In other words, the current toxic atmosphere of American politics will inevitably impact how the U.S. side will negotiate. In short, for the talks to move forward, concrete step-by-step measures must be established. In other words, if the 5+1 side asks Iran to do "X' or "Y", then it should also offer Iran specific and tangible proposals and not some vague future promises. Nader Entessar is professor of the University of South Alabama. He is the author of Kurdish Ethnonationalism (1992) and the co-editor of Reconstruction and Regional Diplomacy in the Persian Gulf (Routledge, 1992) and Iran and the Arab world. (By Javad Heirannia)