FINLAND

FINLAND

Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki, March 4: Iran appears to have taken a new step in being able to build its own nuclear weapon. The IAEA chief has estimated that Iran could achieve nuclear weapons capability in two to five years.

It is worth noting that the new administration in the United States has taken the news calmly. According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Iran is not yet close to acquiring its own nuclear weapon and President Barack Obama’s offer of talks to Iranian leaders remains in force.

Reconciliation

Obama is hardly likely to want to plot out his Iran strategy very quickly. A public gesture of reconciliation to hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be politically unwise so close to the presidential elections in which there are more moderate candidates when it comes to foreign policy.

International diplomacy in solving Iran’s nuclear problem has for long stood still. Difficultly achieved sanctions have not hindered Iran enriching uranium. The possible success of Obama’s new approach is purely a question of faith and, at any rate, time alone won’t help solve the problem.

DENMARK

Politiken, Copenhagen, March 3: In times of crisis, it is everyone for themselves and that, unfortunately, may prove true in European politics today.

Most economic rescue plans launched in recent months have had a nasty tinge of protectionism and nationalism.

Unilateral measures aimed at saving domestic jobs and industries at the expense of others are a guaranteed way to aggravate the crisis.

Restricting financial aid

While the current situation calls for the EU Commission to intervene, its role must (be) that of restricting financial aid that constitutes discriminatory subsidies and not enforcing strict rules on government deficits.

Differences on how to respond to this have led some to call this the worst-ever crisis for European politics.

Still, it also offers a unique opportunity to renew an institution built over half a century ago.