Broad Agreement Reached on Iran Sanctions at UN

REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS
3/15/2007

Major powers reached broad agreement Wednesday on a package of U.N. sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programs but a vote in the Security Council is not expected until next week.

Envoys from the permanent council members — U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — who negotiated the text along with Germany, said the draft had been sent to their respective capitals for approval, which is not automatic.

After that the 10 nonpermanent council members must deliberate before any vote can be taken.

The draft text, obtained by Reuters, would increase an earlier list of Iranian groups and companies subject to an assets freeze and ban all arms exports from Iran. On imports of heavy weapons to Iran, the text asks states to “exercise vigilance and restraint.”

“We have an agreement in principle based on some additional changes that were introduced and presented today by some delegations,” Alejandro Wolff, a U.S. ambassador, told reporters. “So it’s new elements and understandings that need confirmation from capitals.”

The resolution, if adopted, would penalize Tehran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, which can be used in nuclear bombs or for peaceful ends.

The new measures follow a resolution adopted in December that imposed trade sanctions on Iran’s sensitive nuclear materials and technology, and froze the assets of some Iranian individuals and companies. Iran ignored a Feb. 21 deadline to suspend enrichment or face further steps.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the text of the new draft resolution “by and large” had been agreed. “On some of the elements some delegations are still double checking with capitals,” he said.

The text also calls on all nations and international financial institutions not to enter into new commitments for grants, financial assistance and loans except “for humanitarian and developmental purposes.”

It does not impose a mandatory travel embargo on Iranian officials engaged in sensitive nuclear activities but says nations must notify a Security Council sanctions committee if any of the named people pass through their territory.

The new draft resolution would give Iran another 60 days to comply or face a threat of further sanctions. But all measures would be suspended if Tehran halts uranium enrichment and returns to negotiations.

Despite the near agreement, China’s U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya again hesitated over the list of Iranian officials, groups and companies subject to an asset freeze.

“The main objective is our concern about Iranian nuclear and missile activities,” Wang told reporters. “So there is no need to expand beyond that area.”

As an example, he said Iran’s state-owned Bank Sepah, which is on the list, “has transactions in many other fields so some language is needed to make the clear distinction.”

Iran President Calls UN Resolution “Torn Paper”

By REUTERS, TEHRAN, IRAN
3/15/2007

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday dismissed any new U.N sanctions resolution as “a torn piece of paper” that would not stop Tehran’s nuclear work, a local news agency reported.

“Issuing such torn pieces of paper ... will not have an impact on Iranian nation’s will [to obtain nuclear technology],” the semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as telling a rally in central Iran.

U.S., British, French, German, Russian and Chinese diplomats at the United Nations have reached a tentative deal on imposing fresh sanctions on Iran and hope to introduce the measure at the Security Council on Thursday, providing their governments agree.

An earlier sanctions resolution passed by the Security Council in December was derided by Ahmadinejad in similar terms.

The new measure, which may be adopted next week, would impose extra penalties on Tehran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for use either in nuclear bombs or civilian power stations.

“What is the aim of issuing such resolutions? Today we are mastering the nuclear fuel cycle completely,” Ahmadinejad said.

“If all of you [Westerners] get together and call your ancestors from hell as well, you will not be able to stop the Iranian nation.”

Western nations suspect Iran’s nuclear program is a cover for efforts to make atomic weapons. Iran, the world’s fourth largest oil exporter, denies that and says it wants only to supply nuclear power plants.

‘THE OPPOSITE RESULT’
Ahmadinejad said imposing sanctions on Iran would be counter-productive.

“You sanctioned us in the past but we obtained the nuclear technology. Impose economic sanctions on us today and see what would be our next step,” Ahmadinejad said.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say in nuclear and other matters. But, like Ahmadinejad, he has also insisted Iran will not give up its atomic plans.

Ahmadinejad said Western powers were wrong to suppose Iran would give up its nuclear program under political pressure, adding that the Security Council had “no legitimacy”.

“All the Iranian nation insists on this right and will not retreat one iota,” Ahmadinejad said.

Washington says it would prefer a diplomatic solution to the crisis but does not rule out military options.

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani warned Wednesday that Iran would respond militarily if the Islamic state was attacked over its nuclear program.