The New Package with Old Content

         
Javier Solana, the chief European negotiator, was in Tehran during the weekend and discussed the Iranian nuclear file with Iranian officials. He was accompanied by the directors of foreign offices of 5+1 countries except the United States. In the course of his talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister, he delivered a long-awaited 5+1 package. He also held talks with Saeed Jalili, the chief Iranian nuclear negotiator.
     
    During his press conference in Tehran, Solana revealed the content of the package for reporters and expressed the hope that Iran would soon give   its reply.
     
    The package was delivered to Iran at a time when President Bush was touring Europe. Even ahead of Solana s trip, Bush used a strong language to warn Iran about the consequences of rejecting the offer. He said that  all options are on the table  implying the readiness of the United States to use force if necessary. Bush also lobbied hard to win the support of the US allies in Europe for the next round of sanctions at the UN or, if resisted by China and Russia, by the EU countries unilaterally.
     
    On Saturday, when the speaker of the Iranian government repeated Iran s position on rejecting the suspension of enrichment, Bush wasted no time to attack Iran for rejecting what he called  generous offer out of hand . Bush s hasty reaction was interpreted by some analysts as an attempt to show that the offer was effectively dead on arrival. In other words, while the Iranian leaders were considering the package, Bush reacted quickly as if he was hoping for a negative answer from Iran.
     
    The US Secretary of State tried to soften the US position by saying that  we will see what the actual reaction is, as opposed to the reaction before they read it . She also repeated Bush s words that all options were on the table, but tried to allay concerns that the US was inching towards military option stating that all US energies were focused on diplomacy.
     
    Iran has said that it is studying the package and will give its response after thorough examination of the offer while emphasizing that Iran s answers would depend upon how Iran s own package is treated. In another sign that Iran will give due consideration to the 5+1 offer, the Speaker of the parliament and former nuclear negotiator said that the parliament will study the package with alertness.
     
    The content of the 5+1 package is similar to the package delivered to Iran in 2006. Interestingly enough, even some Western journalists and diplomats have described the package as not dramatically different from the previous offer calling it an enhanced version or a refreshed version of 2006 package. It considers enrichment as a precondition for the official start of the negotiation with 5+1 countries. It recognizes Iran s rights in accordance with the NPT and offers technological and economic incentives to Iran including the construction of light water reactors.
     
    Now the question is if the new offer is, more or less, similar to the 2006 offer, why its drafters did not take into consideration the advancement by Iran in its peaceful nuclear activities during the last two years? Why do they insist on inclusion of a precondition in their offer when they know how sensitive this issue is in Iran? It seems that these countries are only interested to portray a positive and compromising image of themselves while in reality they have not put forward any new concrete ideas.
     
    The carrot and stick policy is not going to work with Iran. The talk of military strike against Iran which was raised again before and during Solana s visit has complicated the situation even making it harder for Solana to present his case genuinely and succeed.
     
    While Iran is studying the package, it is wise on the part of 5+1 countries to clearly express themselves on the Iranian package particularly those parts related to the Iranian nuclear activities. At any rate, the unconditional negotiation between Iran and 5+1 countries should begin without further delay. All will benefit from these negotiations.