Under such circumstances, talks are often unable to construct agreements that rise above the lowest common denominator. I have also learned some hard lessons from the sanctions negotiations in which I have been so deeply engaged. Unilateral sanctions rarely work, although they must be resorted to at times to defend U.S. values. Multilateral sanctions, while far harder to fashion, are the only ones likely to achieve the desired results in terms of changing target country behavior. Sanctions should be targeted to the state or entity whose behavior we are trying to change rather than to companies from third countries who are investing or trading there, as much as we might oppose their involvement.
Third countries see such sanctions as extraterritorial.
It is also critically important that sanctions legislation contain a provision for Presidential waiver authority, to protect the national interest and provide negotiating leverage. Let me finally say a few personal words, as a non-career politically appointed diplomat to a roomful of men and women who have devoted their lives to the art of diplomacy. I have learned what a privilege it is to represent the United States both as an ambassador and in international negotiations around the world. The power, the majesty, the moral values, and the influence of our nation gives anyone negotiating for the United States a greater ability to accomplish his or her goals than would be possible representing any other country. These are precious resources which we must husband, nurture, and deploy in ways that do not dissipate our innate advantage.