Agreement Dilutes Risk of New War in the Middle East

Published in O Globo
(Brazil) on 3 March 2015
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Wycliff Coward. Edited by Gillian Palmer.
Negotiation with the U.S.-led powers paves way for a definitive settlement, which, if implemented, will prevent Iran from making nuclear bomb.

Iran, the United States and five other powers announced yesterday that they reached a consensus on the general and specific parameters for negotiations on the Iranian nuclear agreement. With that settled, an itinerary of talks was scheduled with a June 30 deadline for a definitive arrangement that prevents Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The outcome of yesterday was repeatedly threatened, not only because of the stalemates that emerged during the marathon talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, but also by unexpected external attacks. In particular, blows were dealt to the treaty by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech to the U.S. Congress, and Republican lawmakers, who even sent a letter to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, threatening to veto the agreement signed by the White House and allies.

Although it means an important step — including discouraging an arms race in the Middle East — representatives of the nations involved in the negotiations have shown caution, recognizing that they still need to overcome obstacles and define complex details. Even so, the negotiators’ optimistic tone was visible, especially from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, and his Iranian colleague, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the parameters set yesterday pave the way for a definitive agreement in June. U.S. President Barack Obama hailed the agreement as a historic event, adding that it is the best possible solution and an alternative "to a new war in the Middle East."

One of the deadlocks in Lausanne was the Iranian negotiators' demands of immediate suspension of economic sanctions against the country. It was agreed, however, that these will only be removed if there is a final agreement in June. It was a clever decision. Applying these measures proved effective in bringing Tehran to the negotiating table after years of resistance. Therefore, this pressure must be maintained. Besides, Iran's interests in the Middle East, and its role as financier of groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis Shiite militias in Yemen, do not make the country of the ayatollahs reliable overnight.

A 10-year moratorium was established with yesterday’s agreement, during which Iran will have its nuclear program restricted to producing electric energy and medicinal use, with limited uranium enrichment capacity. It further stipulates a minimum period of one year before the country can restore its full nuclear capacity. In addition, it submits the Iranian government to strict surveillance by international inspectors. The main point is that, if fully implemented, the agreement will prevent Iran from developing the atomic bomb.


Acordo dilui risco de nova guerra no Oriente Médio
Negociação com potências lideradas pelos EUA pavimenta caminho para um acerto definitivo, que, se implementado, impedirá o Irã de fazer bomba nuclear
POR EDITORIAL
03/04/2015 0:00
________________________________________
Irã, EUA e outras cinco potências anunciaram ontem que chegaram a um consenso sobre os parâmetros gerais e específicos de negociações sobre o acordo nuclear iraniano. Com isso, estabeleceu-se um itinerário de conversações até 30 de junho, prazo final para um acerto definitivo, que impeça o país persa de desenvolver armamento nuclear.
O desfecho de ontem esteve várias vezes ameaçado, em razão não apenas dos impasses que emergiram durante a maratona de conversas, em Lausanne, na Suíça, mas igualmente por ataques inesperados externos. Em especial os golpes desferidos ao tratado pelo premier israelense, Benjamin Netanyahu, em discurso no Congresso americano; e de parlamentares republicanos, que chegaram a enviar uma carta ao líder supremo do Irã, Ali Khamenei, ameaçando vetar o acordo firmado pela Casa Branca e aliados.
Apesar de significar um passo importante — inclusive por desestimular uma corrida armamentista no Oriente Médio —, representantes das nações envolvidas nas negociações mostraram cautela, reconhecendo que ainda será preciso superar entraves e definir detalhes complexos. Mesmo assim, era visível o tom otimista dos negociadores, especialmente do secretário de Estado americano, John Kerry, e seu colega iraniano, Mohammad Javad Zarif. O presidente do Irã, Hassan Rouhani, afirmou que os parâmetros definidos ontem pavimentam o caminho para um acordo definitivo em junho. Já o presidente americano, Barack Obama, celebrou o acordo como um evento histórico, acrescentando que se trata da melhor solução possível e uma alternativa “a uma nova guerra no Oriente Médio”.
Um dos impasses em Lausanne foi a exigência dos negociadores iranianos de suspensão imediata das sanções econômicas contra o país. Ficou acertado, porém, que estas só serão retiradas se houver um acordo definitivo em junho. Foi uma decisão acertada. A aplicação dessas medidas se mostrou eficaz, ao levar Teerã à mesa de negociação após anos de resistência. Portanto, tal fator de pressão deve ser mantido. Além do mais, os interesses do Irã no Oriente Médio e seu papel como financiador de grupos como o Hezbollah, no Líbano, e as milícias xiitas houthis, no Iêmen, não tornam o país dos aiatolás, de uma hora para outra, confiável.
Com o acerto de ontem, estabelece-se uma moratória de dez anos, durante a qual o Irã terá seu programa nuclear restrito à produção de energia elétrica e uso medicinal, com limitada capacidade de enriquecimento de urânio. Estipula ainda um prazo mínimo de um ano, antes que o país possa restaurar sua capacidade nuclear total. Além disso, submete o governo persa à vigilância estrita de inspetores internacionais. O ponto principal é que, se for completamente implementado, o acordo impedirá que o Irã desenvolva a bomba atômica.
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