Boycotting of a Russia-hosted G8 summit would not solve any problem

McCain urges Iran sanctions, outside UN if needed

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John McCain, a top member of President George W. Bush's Republican Party, urged the world on Saturday to impose economic and other sanctions on Iran, bypassing the United Nations if needed.

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No Council action, including sanctions, will be considered before a conclusive IAEA investigative report due next month.

McCain said Iran would be a key test of U.S.-Russia ties. Without singling out policies, he criticized the government of President Vladimir Putin for a lack of democracy and mooted a boycott of a Russia-hosted G8 summit this year.

"Under Mr Putin, Russia today is neither a democracy nor an economic power. I seriously question whether G8 leaders should attend the G8 summit," McCain said.

Source - Reuters (Click here to read the rest of the story.)

It is very possible that Russia may not be going to a right direction politically; however, boycotting of a summit would not solve any problem. It can make him, President Bush or both look good to some people in US locally, but it is nothing but a political stunt. Discussing difficult problems can be rather frustrating, and it also seems unproductive, but it is absolutely necessary. Boycotting discussion or even suggesting it is short-sighted.