Rice Confirms US Drops Objections to Iran Joining WTO

Dow Jones Newswires, AP:

The Bush administration will support European diplomatic efforts to end Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions by offering modest economic incentives to the Tehran regime, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday. read more

The administration agreed to drop objections to Iran 's eventual membership in the World Trade Organization and agreed to allow some sales of civilian aircraft parts to Tehran.

Rice, in a statement released by the State Department, said the administration will consider allowing the spare parts sales on a case-by-case basis. Many of the sales would be from European Union countries.

"We share the desire of European governments to secure Iran's adherence to its obligations through peace and diplomatic means," the secretary said, referring to Iran's commitments under the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty.

The announcement marks a policy shift from the hard line position that Iran deserved no reward for merely doing what that international arms compact requires.

"Today's announcement demonstrates that we are prepared to take practical steps to support European efforts to this end," Rice said.

There was no immediate response from Tehran.

Rice noted that the Europeans have been very clear with the Iranians that there will have to be certain "objective guarantees" that Iran is not trying to use a nuclear program to provide cover for a weapons program.

"The spotlight must remain on Iran , and on Iran 's obligation to live up to its international commitments," she said.

Rice said the United States shares with European governments concern about human rights and democracy and its support for terrorism.

"At this moment of historic opportunity, as the U.S. and our allies work together to support progress between the Israelis and the Palestinians, Iran must cease its support for those groups who use violence to oppose Middle East peace," she said. ...