UN tells Iran to halt nuclear work or face sanctions United Nations (AFP) Jul 31, 2006 The UN Security Council on Monday ordered Iran to halt its nuclear activities by August 31 or face the threat of sanctions but the measure was immediately rejected by Tehran. The resolution, passed by a 14-1 vote with Qatar in opposition, was welcomed by the United States and its allies, but decried as "destructive and totally unwarranted" by Iran's UN ambassador. Resolution 1696 took the international community one step closer to a confrontation with Tehran that has been building for the past three years. "The clock is now ticking," commented US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton after leaving the council chamber. The text expressed "serious concern" at Iran's refusal to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) orders to halt uranium enrichment and other work that could help build a nuclear bomb. No immediate sanctions were set out. But IAEA director Mohammed ElBaradei will have to give a report on Iran's action by August 31. If Iran does not suspend its nuclear work, the council would consider adopting "appropriate measures" under Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which could be economic and political sanctions. Bolton told the Security Council that "Iran has consistently and brazenly defied the international community by continuing its pursuit of nuclear weapons." US President George W. Bush hailed what he called a "strong resolution". "It's a strong resolution. I want to thank our partners. This resolution follows up on the North Korea resolution," Bush said referring to action ordered against the Stalinist North after it fired seven missiles in early July. Qatar was the only council member to oppose the Iran resolution, arguing it was too confrontational. "Do we really want to see another volcano erupting in this region," questioned Qatari Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser. The resolution was proposed by Britain, France and Germany, with strong US backing. All suspect Iran's nuclear programme hides covert efforts to build a nuclear bomb, although Tehran says its research is for peaceful purposes. Russia and China gave their backing, though both highlighted that there was no immediate threat of sanctions. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin emphasized that even the next stage precluded any threat of military action. Iran's ambassador, Javad Zarif, rebuffed the resolution in a long speech to the council, accusing the United States and its European allies of "imposing a destructive and totally unwarranted Security Council resolution". "I would suggest to you that this approach will not lead to any productive outcome. It can only exacerbate the situation," he told the council, adding that Iran was ready for "serious and non-discriminatory" negotiations. Iran had threatened Sunday to reject an offer of international economic and political incentives to stop its uranium enrichment if the Security Council passes the resolution. But the ambassadors for Britain, France and Germany, which have led negotiations with Iran, emphasized that there was still a possibility to negotiate a settlement, and renewed calls for Tehran to accept the incentives package. But there were already signs that the United States is preparing the sanctions. US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said Sunday the United States would seek to cut off "technologies that can help them further their enrichment and reprocessing activities. "We certainly would like to inhibit the ability of Iranians to travel, Iranian government officials, or for people to profit from our scientific and technological expertise," he added. Iran has made several warnings about the impact of the resolution. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the new Middle East crisis in Lebanon would also have an effect on Iran's response to international pressure. "The incidents in Lebanon and Palestine have influenced our examination" of the incentives offer, he said. A prominent Iranian MP, Alaeddin Borujerdi, head of the parliamentary national security commission, warned that Iran could halt cooperation with IAEA inspectors and even quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links
US welcomes 'strong' UN resolution on Iran, says talks still option Miami (AFP) Jul 31, 2006 Washington on Monday hailed a "strong" UN Security Council resolution ordering Tehran halt uranium enrichment by August 31 or face possible sanctions, but stressed the door of diplomacy remained open. |
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