Free_Iran_Now

October 27, 2006 05:08am
RUSSIA today opposed a European draft UN resolution being discussed by major powers to impose sanctions on Iran while the United States believed it was not strong enough.
Russia, the United States, Britain, France, China and Germany were to hold their first meeting today on the draft Security Council resolution, which would ban Iranian trade on nuclear materials and ballistic missiles.
But Western diplomats do not expect the six to agree until the middle of next week, at the earliest, after which the text would be circulated to the full 15-member council.
Speaking in Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the European draft did not match previous agreements among the major powers seeking to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, and predicted long negotiations before the issue is resolved.
He said the object was to "eliminate the risks of sensitive technology falling into Iran's hands" and stressed the importance of dealing with Iran through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog.
Mr Lavrov said it appeared that the "proposed resolution clearly does not meet the tasks earlier agreed by the six".
The United States wants to bar Russia's construction of a nuclear power plant at Bushehr, which diplomats say is a negotiating tactic as it tries to strengthen other measures in the resolution.
The Europeans refused, saying they had to meet some of Russia and China's concerns, the diplomats said.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack played down differences with Russia, saying Washington understood Moscow's fears about putting too much pressure on Iran.
"We know that the Russians have some concerns about the tactics and concerns about applying too much pressure too quickly on the Iranians. We certainly understand their point of view," Mr McCormack told reporters in Washington.
Russia cannot deliver a fuel cycle, which the West fears could be used for a nuclear weapon, unless it is approved by all 15 members of a Security Council sanctions committee on Iran, which the resolution would create.
The $800 million reactor is expected to go into operation next year.
A unified front among Britain, France, Germany - lead negotiators with Iran - and the United States has been key to efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran denies it is aimed at making weapons and says it is for energy production.
The European draft, according to council members, would, inter alia, require the enforcement of sanctions without military action, ban the transfer of nuclear technology to Iran, freeze the overseas assets of Iran's institutions and people involved in its nuclear program, ban the international travel and specialist study of people involved in Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile program, and limit nuclear assistance to Iran by the IAEA to that for medical or humanitarian purposes.