U.N. Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte Briefs Journalists on Iran and Syria

November 24, 2008. During his visit to Berlin, Ambassador Gregory L. Schulte, Permanent Representative of the U.S. to the United Nations in Vienna, briefed German and American reporters on the latest IAEA report on Iran and Syria. Media participants included ARD and Reuters Television, as well as leading German print journalists.
Ambassador Schulte said that Iran continues to produce and stockpile low-grade enriched uranium, which cannot be used for power production and which violates Security Council resolutions. “It is a relatively small step from low enriched uranium to weaponization.” In addition, Iran continues to refuse to fully explain its prior activities with the IAEA. He added that the IAEA’s real concern was that Iran possesses the technology to build or retool centrifuges capable of producing highly enriched uranium, which it could then set up in a secret facility. Ambassador Schulte commented that Iran continues to refuse to allow the IAEA to inspect its workshops where centrifuges are assembled.
When asked about the effectiveness of sanctions, Ambassador Schulte explained that while they have not met the ultimate goal of convincing Iran to suspend its nuclear program, they have helped to start a serious discussion in Iranian society about the future of the country.
With regard to possible direct U.S. talks with Iran, Ambassador Schulte said that the U.S. remains committed to negotiations, and added that the U.S. is more prepared to negotiate with Iran than the Iranian leadership. He commented that some in Tehran would prefer not to negotiate with the U.S. so they can continue to depict it as the “great Satan,” in order to reinforce their hold on power.
Asked about Russia’s motivation in selling an air defense system to Iran, Ambassador Schulte said that Russia also does not want a nuclear armed Iran on its southern border.
Ambassador Schulte commented that the recently destroyed nuclear reactor in Syria was built secretly and with the help of North Korea. He said however, “Syria is not Iran and that we don’t want to make it into Iran.” While Syria is using the same tactics than Iran to hold off the IAEA, Ambassador Schulte said that we would like Syria to take Libya’s approach and rejoin the international community by fully cooperating with IAEA requests for information and disclosure of its nuclear activities.