Editorials

Constructive deal

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-19 07:53

Iran's nuclear fuel swap deal with Brazil and Turkey could be a positive step forward in resolving the international impasse over its nuclear program.

Even as the United States is stepping up efforts toward UN-mandated fresh sanctions against Iran, it is praiseworthy that members of the international community have stuck to diplomatic means to defuse the tension.

Monday's development is an unambiguous signal of the international community's never-say-die approach.

Related readings:  Deal on Iran sanctions near  Major powers agree on Iran resolution  Iran signs nuclear swap deal  Russia welcomes Iran nuclear swap deal

As per the deal, Iran will ship most of its low enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for the 20-percent enriched uranium needed for its research reactor in Teheran.

As far as Iran is concerned, this gesture will be seen as a softening of its tough stance that any swap should take place on its own soil and only after it is given fuel rods in return.

Given that the Islamic nation has faced mounting pressure from the US, Teheran has of late sent positive signals to delay the sanctions' endeavor.

Last month, it indicated a willingness to discuss the nuclear fuel swap deal again. In a further goodwill gesture aimed at the West, Teheran last weekend released a French woman who had been held on spying charges - an incident that had worsened relations between Iran and France ever since July last year.

These positive developments, along with the latest fuel swap deal, will bolster international efforts to seek a peaceful resolution of the issue.

Although the US insisted that the deal would not stymie its move regarding sanctions, its moral compass could take a beating now that Teheran has made several compromises.

China has always insisted that negotiation and dialogue hold the key to breaking the current international stalemate over Iran's nuclear program.

There seems to be more hope now that the situation is evolving in that direction.

(China Daily 05/19/2010 page8)