The Obama administration will work closely with the British government to make Iran a responsible member of the international community, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton(R) and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband hold joint conference at the State Department in Washington February 3, 2009.Clinton said Tuesday the US-British special relationship “really stands the test of time”. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

“We are going to be working within the administration to devise our approach to Iran, and working closely with Her Majesty’s government and the work that the foreign secretary and others have already done,” said Clinton.

“Under Secretary Bill Burns will be attending the P-5+1 meeting that will continue to discuss the approach that the international community will take toward Iran,” she said, referring to a Wednesday meeting in Germany’s Wiesbaden, which is participated by senior diplomats from the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

“It is clear that Iran has an opportunity to step up and become a productive member of the international community,” said Clinton, adding “We are reaching out a hand, but the fist has to unclench. And we will see how we proceed together toward a policy that we believe represents the objectives that we share vis–vis Iran.”

In her first face-to-face talk with close European allies since taking office on Jan. 21, Clinton discussed with Miliband over a series of tough issues, such as the global financial crisis, the Middle East conflict, situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Iran’s nuclear ambition. 　

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet