28 Mar 2024
Sunday 5 July 2015 - 15:48
Story Code : 170565

The endgame in Vienna

TEHRAN (FNA)- There is a reason why Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China) are still shy of a breakthrough at nuclear talks.
Having reached the endgame in Vienna, American negotiators are not prepared, yet, to make a clear choice between keeping some UN Security Council sanctions and getting an agreement. Their stonewalling moves have run in parallel with anti-deal lobby machinations by the neoconservatives, the Republican Party, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and their lobbies in Washington.

Aided by the media, the leading liars are doing everything to kill the agreement, demonizing Iran by lies, exaggerations, half-truths, innuendoes and insinuations. Under the circumstances, how close a deal might ultimately be is still unclear, as minor disagreements remain, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said a consensus is within reach.

In his words, The nuclear talks have been going on for more than 10 years, with intensified talks being held during recent years. I think it's now fair to say that basic elements of the negotiation are in place and a consensus is within reach.

Until then, everyone remains cautious about setting dates. But despite its stonewalling moves, the US administration says it is keen to have a deal in place before June 9 because the deadline for Congressional votes on the matter will expand from 30 days to 60 days after that point.

Its a deadline that triggers a Congressional review period and will likely ignite a fierce political debate on the Capitol Hill over the merits of an eventual agreement. The deadline isn't as much of a concern for Iran, though. For the Iranian negotiators, July 7, 8, 9 does not make much of a difference. They are not really pressed by time because they want to have deal.

So, the White House says it wants to reach a deal as soon as possible, but at the same time it continues its stonewalling moves. But why? Maybe because it has not made up its mind yet.

As it stands, all sides reached a preliminary agreement in April after multiple rounds of negotiations. Now, negotiators must iron out the details and resolve contentious differences on critical issues like inspections of nuclear sites and sanctions relief.

At this 11th hour, gaps still remain over these items that could make or break the deal. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, despite some differences, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome, but only if the American and European teams are willing to strive for a balanced deal. Its a critical and historic choice.

Tehrans negotiating partners have to make a choice between agreement and coercion. Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable, the wisdom to set aside illusions, and the audacity to break old habits.

The message to a global audience could not be more powerful. What about Secretary of State John Kerry and his European partners?

By Fars News Agency
https://theiranproject.com/vdcd9z0fkyt05k6.em2y.html
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