EDITORIAL
Iran should show some responsibility
Ahmadinejad's defiance of the UNSC's recent resolution will only lead to worsening international ties
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saw it coming long before the United Nations Security Council made its decision last week to impose limited sanctions against his country. He knew very well that his defiance would produce such a resolution at the world body because the international community can no longer tolerate more countries going nuclear. North Korea has also given the world a huge headache with its nuclear ambitions. Even Russia and China, two countries considered close to Iran, must comply and agree with the resolution in its current diluted form. But the Iranian president has not wavered. In fact, he has toughened his position against the UN and supporters of the resolution. Iran's parliament also supported his actions and called for a review of the country's cooperation with nuclear watchdog body, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It was presumptuous for Ahmadinejad to say that the UN was acting as a political instrument on behalf of the US to reprimand Iran. Indeed, US credibility at the UN has suffered due to that country's gung-ho policy in the past, especially with the Iraq war. The sanctions imposed against Iran came about after more than two months of drafting and negotiations. Germany, the United Kingdom and France proposed the legislation, not the US. The sanction must be recognised as a multilateral effort and not indicative of the hard-handed approach the US has taken in the past. The truth is there is a real concern and solidarity among council members when it comes to nuclear proliferation. Ahmadinejad's condescending view of the council's resolution, calling it a mere piece of paper, is regrettable, because it could further toughen the UNSC's attitude when it comes to future dealings in regard to Iran's nuclear programmes. It is not difficult to understand why the Iranian president is behaving in this manner. He is, in effect, gambling his presidency for leadership of the Muslim world, which he thinks he can command. Being the first Middle East country to possess nuclear capabilities would give Iran regional and international recognition and influence, although it would not necessarily result in an endorsement of his leadership. But it is not necessary to defy the international community and move towards nuclear status to be accepted as leader of the Muslim world; the same goal could be achieved by exhibiting international responsibility and goodwill. Iran obviously has to contend with other neighbouring nations with similar ambitions. Syria is one country capable of influencing the future course of the Middle East. But for Iran, this is a time it deems opportune to show its defiance. Iran knows full well how limited the resolution is in its scope and application. One need only look at the recent resolutions with wider sanctions adopted by the UNSC against North Korea. Not all countries complied with those sanctions. Iran thinks it can still get away from this resolution, and if this attitude persists there is a possibility of more punitive measures, such as those imposed against North Korea. Such measures would eat into Iran's economic performance in coming months and could also adversely affect countries trading with Iran. Since the UNSC resolution is legally binding under Chapter 7 of Article 41 of the UN Charter, Thailand, as one of the countries trading with Iran, will be affected. Thus far, Thai exports to Iran are not strategic, as they are confined to rice and canned food. It is interesting to note that Thai-Iran relations are very cordial with frequent exchanges of official visits and booming trade. The UN sanctions, passed unanimously, ban the supply of nuclear materials to Iran and freeze some assets overseas. But it is about time Ahmadinejad - one of the youngest leaders in the world - began to behave responsibly. In doing so he would win friends and work towards a much-needed enhancement of his status.
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