Medvedev: Iran Sanctions Not Helpful

Source: Alalam.ir, 3-7-2008
MOSCOW--The European Union's decision to impose new sanctions on Iran could exacerbate tensions over Tehran's nuclear program, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published on Thursday.
In the interview to media outlets from Group of Eight countries before next week's G8 summit in Japan, Medvedev said he had raised his concerns over the issue with EU leaders at a summit in Siberia last week.
According to a transcript of the interview published on the Kremlin's official website, www.kremlin.ru, he said: "If we are conducting negotiations with Iran, we should not take actions which incite the Iranian leadership and are aimed at the introduction of additional sanctions."
"For me it is completely unclear why such a decision was taken recently by the European Union," said Medvedev.
"I mean, either we talk to them (the Iranians) or we use every petty excuse there is to tweak our negotiating partners."
Relations between Iran and the West have been strained over the Islamic republic's defiance of calls to surrender its nuclear activities, which Iran says is aimed at generating electricity.
Iran has steadfastly announced the issue is red line which is enshrined as an inalienable right in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Russia has supported UN efforts to persuade Iran to answer questions about its nuclear program.
At the same time it has consistently watered down Western-backed sanctions, saying positive engagement is more effective than threats.