The Bush administration is being urged to change its approach toward Iran, reported Middle East Newsline (MENL), citing a study.
In a new study, the Washington-based Brooking Institution called on President George Bush to revise US sanctions on Teheran in an effort to encourage a change in Islamic regime policy.
The study, authored by Suzanne Maloney, however, does not call for an end to sanctions.
Instead, the study urges the administration to address Iranian demands for compensation for weapons but under the Shah's regime. The US weapons were never delivered after the Shah was overthrown in 1979.
Currently, the Iranian claims are being expedited by an international tribunal at The Hague. The study said the Iranian claims have been met by counter claims by US citizens suing Teheran for support of terrorist attacks.
"Nonetheless, a committed US approach to negotiations can facilitate a global settlement that would serve the interests of all parties and would eliminate a long-standing irritant to detente," the report said.
In all, the study proposes what it termed six cautious steps by the administration. They include "small modifications" to the sanctions policy to allow for US trade with Iran, including oil swaps between Teheran and Central Asia.
The study does not advocate any change in US policy to stop Iranian missile or non-conventional weapons programs. Ms. Maloney recommends that the administration employ diplomacy rather than mere sanctions.
The sanctions have been under criticism from many US and international parties, including the EU.
Late in July, The European Union warned Washington it could become the target of WTO action after the US Congress extended a law punishing firms that do business in the oil and gas industries in Iran and Libya.
EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten said then that any action taken against European businesses under the so-called Helms-Burton law would trigger a complaint to the WTO.
"In April 1997 the European Council decided that the EU would request the re-establishment of a WTO panel against the US should any action be taken against EU companies or individuals under the Helms-Burton Act or ILSA," he said.
Patten was responding to the US congressional decision on July 27 to extend the 1996 Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) for another five years.
The current sanctions regime allows the US government to penalize foreign businesses with more than $20 million invested annually in either Iran's or Libya's energy sector.
The level had been fixed at $40 million for Tripoli.
Signed into law in August 1996 by then-president Bill Clinton, ILSA was intended to isolate Iran and Libya at a time when both were accused by Washington of sponsoring acts of terrorism.
Following the Islamic revolution, the United States and Iran severed diplomatic relations in 1980 and Washington banned oil imports from Tehran.
Sanctions against US companies doing business in Iran were authorized in 1995.
Former president Bill Clinton last year lifted controls on some non-oil Iranian exports -- caviar, pistachio nuts and rugs -- in hopes of encouraging democratic shifts in Iran after reformers won in the February 2000 legislative elections.
But Tehran has rebuffed efforts to start a direct dialogue until all sanctions are lifted - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
