Washington: Iran has been given plenty of
opportunity to join the world community by meeting its
international obligations but it has done nothing so far, the
White House has said, as the US intensified its effort at the
UNSC to slap another round of sanctions against Tehran.
"We have given them, I think, plenty of opportunity to
join the international community, but being part of the
international community means living up to the obligations and
the treaties that you sign that are part of the international
community," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told
reporters.
Gibbs was responding to a question if the US can have
relationship with China now and that with Russia during the
cold war despite sharp differences, why not Tehran be given
the same treatment.
"You can`t be part of the international community and
then not live up to your responsibilities as it relates to
nuclear activities," Gibbs said.
"I think you saw the (US) President discusses last
fall in Pittsburgh a fairly specific instance in which they
were required to live up to their responsibilities
internationally and they failed to do so," he said reiterating
that Iran has repeatedly failed to meet its international
obligations.
"On any number of occasions we have offered to allow
them (Iran) the opportunity to live up to their international
obligations and to enjoy what comes from being part of the
full international community," he said.
America and its allies are trying to rally support for
new UN sanctions on Iran over its refusal to stop uranium
enrichment, fearing Tehran will use the process to build a
nuclear weapon. Iran denies any intention to do so, saying its
nuclear programme aims only to generate electricity.
PTI
