Last update - 00:00 06/12/2006
France: Iran to face UN sanctions, but no agreement yet on scope
By The Associated Press
France's foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran will face United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program but that major powers are still divided on how far punishment should go.
"The question is about the scope of sanctions but there will be sanctions," Philippe Douste-Blazy told a French radio station.
He said that the measures would fall under Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. That article authorizes the UN Security Council to impose non-military sanctions such as completely or partially severing diplomatic and economic relations, transportation and communications links.
Douste-Blazy's comments came a day after his ministry said that France and five other major powers made "substantive progress" at closed-door talks in Paris but failed to reach an accord on a UN resolution to punish Iran for its nuclear activities.
A top European diplomat said on Tuesday that the five permanent UN Security Council members, of which France is one, plus Germany remained split over key questions of visa bans and asset freezes for Iranians linked to nuclear development, which Russia is resisting.
Douste-Blazy, however, played down differences, saying UN Security Council members will come together behind a resolution "in a unified manner, including China and Russia."