MOSCOW, 7 May 2006 — Differences between the United States and its key UN allies over Iran were exposed again yesterday when Russia said major changes were needed in a draft resolution requiring Tehran to halt uranium enrichment. The draft resolution being debated “requires major changes,” Russia’s Interfax and RIA-Novosti news agencies quoted the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak as saying before leaving for talks at UN headquarters in New York. “It’s too early to say what changes should be brought to the draft resolution to satisfy the Russian side. Consultations are ongoing,” Kislyak told reporters.
Members of the UN Security Council were expected today to hold talks on the resolution put forward by London and Paris in response to international concern over the nature of Iran’s nuclear program. The resolution would legally oblige Iran, under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, to suspend uranium enrichment — the process used to produce fuel for nuclear reactors and, potentially, the core material of an atomic bomb. If Iran does not comply, the draft warns there would be unspecified “further measures,” that would require the adoption of another UN resolution.
Iran has remained defiant over its right to enrich uranium to generate atomic energy and differences have emerged between global powers over what to do next. Washington wants the UN Security Council to take center stage and call for tough action against Tehran. But Beijing and Moscow, which is building Iran’s first nuclear reactor, oppose sanctions and stress the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, should play the key diplomatic role.
Kislyak yesterday outlined the terms of a deal that would allow both the IAEA to carry out necessary checks and Iran to continue its nuclear program. Russia “has come forward with an offer the essence of which is that Iran freeze uranium enrichment work for a time to work with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to restore trust in the character of Iran’s nuclear program,” Kislyak said.
