Iran escapes new sanctions in next U.N. resolution
26 Sep 2008 22:44:59 GMT Source: Reuters
(Updates after council discussions, adds Lavrov quotes) By Claudia Parsons and Sue Pleming UNITED NATIONS, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Six world powers handed a draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program to the U.N. Security Council on Friday, but it included no new sanctions and Russia said it was not the time to consider them. U.S. Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the resolution, which calls on Iran to comply promptly with previous resolutions ordering it to suspend uranium enrichment, was an important "show of unity." It comes less than two weeks after the U.N. atomic watchdog reported that Iran was not cooperating enough with its inspectors. But the resolution, which could come to a vote early next week, falls far short of imposing the kind of new measures Western governments have been discussing to ramp up the pressure on Tehran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has veto power on the Security Council, appeared to shut the door firmly on new sanctions in the near future. "(We) continue to believe that it is not timely to consider at the ministerial, or at any other level, this proposal of new sanctions," Lavrov told a news conference. The 10-line draft resolution would call on Iran to "fully comply, without delay" with previous council resolutions, which demand it halt enrichment. It also urges Iran to meet the requirements of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the resolution aimed not to impose new sanctions, but to show unity after disagreements with Russia over its invasion of Georgia. "It's also especially important that the Iranians recognize that the P5 plus 1 process is intact," Rice told Reuters in an interview. The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany are seeking to persuade Iran to halt suspect nuclear activities. Western countries fear Iran is pursuing an atomic bomb but Tehran says it seeks merely civil nuclear power. The United States and Europeans had wanted a fourth round of sanctions on Iran, which says uranium enrichment is its right. China and especially Russia oppose further sanctions. Although the draft resolution has no new penalties, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters that the text "does not rule them out either." NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION Negotiations on previous sanctions resolutions have dragged on for months and council diplomats say the chances of passing another before a new U.S. president takes office in January are very slim. Republican presidential candidate John McCain has indicated he would continue the current administration's firm line on Iran. Democrat Barack Obama has also said keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is a top priority, but has shown more willingness to engage in dialogue. Asked how much longer Iran could continue to defy three resolutions demanding it stop enrichment without facing further penalties, Wolff said that depended on "the dynamics of the council as well as the situation on the ground." "We remain hopeful Iran will comply, will seize on the incentives package that has been offered," Wolff said. In June, the six powers gave Iran a beefed-up offer of political and economic incentives, including nuclear reactors, in exchange for suspending its enrichment program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad showed no sign of compromise during his visit to the United Nations this week, vowing to resist U.S. "bullying" and defend Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear technology. Ministers of the six powers had originally been due to meet on Thursday but that was postponed after Russia withdrew to protest U.S. criticism of its invasion of Georgia. Russian diplomats said Moscow was letting the West know it could not be sidelined on issues like Iran where it is a key player. (Additional reporting by Hans-Edzard Busemann; editing by Mohammad Zargham)
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