 WASHINGTON - The U.N. Security Council's impending showdown over Iran's nuclear ambitions is a critical test of the effectiveness of the world body, United Nations Ambassador John R. Bolton said yesterday. "If the Security Council can't deal with that threat, then you have to ask yourself what utility the Security Council would be in dealing with terrorism and weapons of mass destruction," Bolton said at a midday appearance before the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
| They can gum it to death, of course. |
The United States and its allies claim Iran is developing a nuclear bomb under cover of a peaceful civilian nuclear power program. The 15-member Security Council has given Iran a deadline of April 28 to stop uranium enrichment, a key step in the process.
Bolton said the Bush administration was committed to resolving the crisis diplomatically. But he noted that the president had not ruled out military action. "We have to ask ourselves at sometime, if our efforts fail, will we allow Iran to get nuclear weapons?" Bolton said. "Now, I believe the president is very serious when he says it's unacceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons. If it's unacceptable, that means it's unacceptable."
| Unlike when the French say something is unacceptable ... |
Bolton said the issue can be resolved diplomatically if Iran followed Libya's example and renounced its nuclear ambitions. But he said the United States would not engage in talks with Iran because Tehran had already rejected "generous" offers from Russian and European negotiators to halt nuclear fuel research. "We have nothing to say to them," he said in a morning meeting with The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board. |