GATINEAU, Que. - Global powers need to agree quickly to put a stop to Iran's nuclear activities, says Canada's foreign affairs minister.
A day after boycotting an "aggressive and provocative" speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Lawrence Cannon urged the UN Security Council to sign on soon to sanctions against the Middle Eastern country.
"We're at a point in time where we have to move forward with sanctions, and hopefully the UN Security Council will be able to do that shortly," he said after a speech to G8 officials.
"I don't have an indication as to the timing when this would actually occur, but I think there is an urgency."
The Security Council is holding discussions on sanctions this week in New York, as the broader United Nations debates how to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Waiting for the G8 summit in June for an agreement would be too long, the minister suggested.
"The time now is for action," Cannon said.
The United States has been arguing strenuously for such a move, but needs the support of all five permanent members of Security Council. China, however, has expressed its preference for a more diplomatic approach.
Iran has already thumbed its nose at polite requests from the global community, Cannon said.
He said Ahmadinejad threw away a perfect opportunity to make peaceful overtures this week, opting to provoke instead of show how Iran would comply with the international treaties it has signed.
Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, and argues it has the right to use nuclear technology to generate electricity.
The Iranian leader "did not show one hint of intention to comply and instead delivered an aggressive and provocative statement" on Monday in New York, Cannon complained.
He said Iran's nuclear ambitions threaten the security of the entire world -- comments not lost on the G8 delegates gathered here to prepare for the summit in Huntsville, Ont., in June.
The officials are tasked with improving G8 interventions in unstable countries, attempting to forge a more efficient approach to fostering peace in vulnerable states.
The officials will no doubt report back to their leaders the urgent tone in Cannon's remarks, said former diplomat Colin Robertson, a senior distinguished fellow at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.
The most Robertson expects from the Security Council in the near term would be a "mild" increase in sanctions against Iran. But even that would send a message to Iran that the world is united, and losing patience.
"Iran wants to get through the week with a get-out-of-jail-free card," Robertson said. "That's not likely."
In his speech to officials, Cannon also cautioned that the G8 must be careful how it throws its weight around when acting to stabilize shaky countries.
The G8, the richest and most powerful nations, has been generous and quick to help fragile states get back on their feet after conflicts.
But the attempts to help are often poorly co-ordinated, inefficient or in conflict with the goals of the recipient governments, Cannon said.
"G8 countries may determine that a partner should possess a certain capability in order to achieve the security effects that our analysis shows are necessary," Cannon said.
"But it will not always be the case that partners will want to invest in those capabilities we see as priorities. That is why security capacity must be grounded in sustained political commitment by all parties to common approaches."
At Canada's behest, the G8 officials are trying to determine the most efficient ways to make their support effective in vulnerable countries such as Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Sudan and Haiti.
They hope to come up with a better formula in time for the G8 leaders' summit.
But the G8 should not go as far as to turn its back on basic principles of good government, Cannon added.
"Not everyone in partner countries will welcome transparency, modernity, professionalism or accountability, but these are characteristics we need to reinforce," he said.
"As G8 countries, we are firm in our principles and confident in our analysis. But that does not mean that we are perfect, or have all the answers."
