Skip navigation
Watchlist Sponsored By :


Current DateTime: 01:38:19 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24355697
  • Runway Angels

      The superbowl of fashion shows, models walk down the runway at the 2009 Victoria's Secret Show.

  • Smartphone Guide

      Here's a need-to-know guide to nine devices, based on features, price, network and platform.

  • Wines for the Holidays

      Not quite sure what wine to pair with Turkey or Creme Brulee? Our experts do.

FEATURED QUIZZES


Current DateTime: 01:38:19 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 33793611
  • How Well Do You Know Your Bird?

      Let's talk turkey. Test your turkey knowledge and perhaps pick up a bit of trivia to trot out at your holiday meal.

  • A Healthier & Wealthier You

      Take the following quiz and find out how much you know about the impact of obesity on the health of the U.S. economy.

  • The Billionaire BFF's

      Philanthropists. Bridge partners. Hockey players. Which responses are based on facts from Buffett's and Gates' real lives?


Current DateTime: 01:38:19 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24890560
  • Winterizing Your Portfolio

      If 2009 was the winter of our discontent, will 2010 be a winter wonderland for investors? A lot depends on the recovery—or lack thereof.

  • Investor's Guide to Real Estate

      Some even say the long-awaited recovery is here. Regardless, buyers and sellers alike can profit from our guide.

  • Alternative Investing

      Stocks and bonds? Sure. But it's a big world out there for investors.

powered by digg
Rice: Iran Must Give "Serious Answer" or Face Sanctions
By: Reuters | 20 Jul 2008 | 11:48 PM ET
Text Size

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Iran on Monday of using stalling tactics and warned Tehran it faced more sanctions if it flouted a two-week deadline to curb its nuclear program.

Condoleezza Rice
Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Rice said Iran must give a "serious answer" within the deadline laid down by the six world powers to an offer of trade and technical incentives to halt uranium enrichment.

"We are in the strongest possible position to demonstrate that if Iran does not act then it is time to go back to that (sanctions) track," Rice said in her first comments after Washington broke from usual policy and joined nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Saturday.

Rice, speaking to reporters on her way to Abu Dhabi en route to Asia, said the United States would impose more bilateral sanctions on Iran and the Europeans would look at what they could do if Iran failed to meet the world powers' demand.

"The main thing is we will have to start considering what we do in New York," she said, referring to the Security Council which has already imposed three rounds of sanctions on Iran.

Envoys from the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain -- the so-called sextet of world powers -- attended the Geneva meeting. 

Prospects of ending the row looked dim as Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said Iran would not discuss a demand to freeze sensitive atomic work the West fears is aimed at making bombs at the next meeting. Iran says its aims are peaceful.

But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an upbeat assessment on Sunday. "Any negotiation that takes place is a step forward," he told reporters, according to IRNA. Yesterday's negotiation is regarded as one of these forward-moving negotiations," Ahmadinejad said.

No More "Small Talk"

Rice said Iran's envoy to Saturday's talks, attended by senior U.S. diplomat William Burns, engaged in small talk rather than tackling the demand that Tehran give up sensitive nuclear work in exchange for diplomatic and financial benefits.

"I understand that it was at times meandering," Rice said.

She said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana "clarified" Iran's choices at the talks.

"It was also a very strong message to the Iranians that they can't go and stall and make small talk and talk about culture and that they have to make a decision," said Rice.

Burns is set to give a full briefing to Rice on her one-night stopover in Abu Dhabi, where she is also meeting Gulf Arab officials to discuss Iran and other issues.

The U.S. attendance at the Geneva talks was an about-turn in U.S. tactics and comes as Washington is considering whether to open an interest section in Tehran. The United States cut off ties with Iran nearly 30 years ago and the interest section would allow for diplomatic contact while falling short of diplomatic ties.

"We are always looking for ways to relate to the Iranian people and to make it easier for them to relate to us," said Rice. She said such a move should not be seen as a thawing of relations.

Rice said there were no plans to join further nuclear talks unless Iran met conditions to give up the enrichment work. She said the decision to join the Geneva talks was to show U.S. commitment to the incentives offer to Iran.

"I think we have done enough to demonstrate that the United States is serious and to assure our partners that we are serious and to show the Iranians that we are serious. I think we have done enough," Rice said.

Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions.
Tools:
Print EmailAdd This share icon
  • digg share

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS

  • For nearly three decades, these on-call experts have been dishing advice on how to – and not to – cook turkey.
  • Ever wished your cab driver would stop nattering and just get to where you're going? Well that moment is near(er).
  • Eric Schmidt pledges to create a virtual copy of the Iraq National Museum at Google’s expense.
  • Bill Griffeth is taking a leave of absence from CNBC and Power Lunch for a year. Here's a message from Bill.
  • More shoppers than ever plan to comparison-shop this season. Who will benefit?
  • It may be the most unusual guide to business you'll read.
ADD COMMENTS
Remaining characters


Current DateTime: 01:44:15 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 01:03:48 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 01:03:48 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779199

Current DateTime: 01:03:48 26 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779198
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2009 CNBC, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBC Universal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters