Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., February 29, 2008 Adar1 23, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:52 29/02/2008 Iran tells UN council sanctions over nuclear program aren't legal By Reuters Tags: UN, Iran, Nuclear Program Iran's foreign minister has written to the UN Security Council arguing that sanctions resolutions against the country over its nuclear program lack any legal basis and undermine the council's credibility. The Iranian response came following comments by British and French officials on Thursday that they expected the Security Council to vote Saturday on new sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment. The two countries co-sponsored the resolution that would impose a third round of sanctions on Iran. Advertisement Britain's UN Ambassador John Sawers said the resolution would have been adopted if it was put to a vote on Thursday. But he said Britain and France want to give more time for countries that have expressed concerns about the resolution to raise questions and make suggestions, in hopes they will join in supporting the resolution. Four non-permanent council members have expressed concern about the resolution - Libya, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam. Tehran denies Western charges it seeks nuclear weapons and has ignored three previous Security Council resolutions demanding it freeze its uranium enrichment program, which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or atomic weapons. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said in a letter to the Security Council that a recent report from the UN nuclear watchdog citing progress in its investigation of Iran's past nuclear activities proved the council had no right to punish Tehran for continuing its enrichment program. "All the so-called justifications and flawed foundations for the UN Security Council's action on this issue are vanished and it shows that the resolutions ... lack any legal and technical justifications," Mottaki wrote. The letter, addressed to Panamanian Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias, the council's current president, was dated February 27 and circulated to reporters on Thursday. "Naturally the continuation of this trend (of sanctions) would undermine the credibility of the Security Council and ... weaken the integrity and position of the IAEA," Mottaki wrote. The report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was mixed, saying Iran had not responded adequately to Western intelligence allegations of work linked to making atomic bombs but had clarified issues related to other past nuclear work. Western countries do not believe the IAEA report vindicated Iran, as Mottaki argues. They say it raises serious concerns. Waiting for a vote The five permanent council members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - and Germany, which is not on the council, agreed on January 22 in Berlin on a draft text outlining a third round of sanctions against Tehran. A diplomat from one of the resolution's three European co-sponsors said some of the four skeptical council members have not received instructions from their capitals and wanted to wait until at least next week to vote on the resolution. South Africa's ambassador to the IAEA, Abdul Minty, said on Thursday that Pretoria wanted to delay the vote to avoid provoking Iran and jeopardizing its improved IAEA cooperation. However, Iran's UN ambassador Mohammad Khazaee told reporters that Iran had no intention of curtailing cooperation with the agency even if the resolution is adopted. But he added that Tehran had no plan to halt enrichment either. "Suspension I think is out of the question," he said. He said the new sanctions, which are a moderate tightening of the screws from previous resolutions, would not harm Iran. "We have learned to live under these circumstances," Khazaee said. "We are not going to see a major impact on our economy and political status." The draft resolution calls for more travel and financial restrictions on named Iranian individuals and companies and makes some restrictions mandatory. Two earlier sanctions rounds were approved unanimously in December 2006 and March 2007. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   Iran as a sovereing country has the right to develop its own 02:32  |  lakshmi 29/02/08   2.   Neither is Theocracy 17:40  |  Maynard 29/02/08

Today Online MKs call for Gaza invasion in wake of escalation Responses: 163 Aanalysis: Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble Responses: 104 Bradley Burston: True Islam will spell defeat for the Jihadists Responses: 26 When McCain and Obama face off, Israel may find itself in the eye of the storm Responses: 49 German Jewish leader urges Merkel to back Israel's stance on Iran Responses: 24 Rosner's Domain McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Voters: Obama's not "tough enough" on foreign policy (WTR) Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 19:38 Barak: Hamas will pay for its escalation in the south 19:55 Two people lightly wounded in Qassam barrage on Sderot 20:11 Egypt FM calls for cease-fire, end to IDF actions in Gaza Strip 17:31 Court rejects petition against ban on Habash memorial rally 15:50 When McCain and Obama face off, Israel may find itself in the eye of the storm 09:45 Jerusalem & Babylon / Ignoring Durban summit not an option 12:35 Palestinians say five hurt in Israeli air strikes in Gaza Strip 11:10 ANALYSIS / Uncompromising Hamas is in trouble 06:38 Former diplomat: Assad seeks to restart talks with Israel 09:42 Sapir College licks its wounds after student killed by rocket 13:27 Britain's Prince Harry withdrawn from Afghanistan due to news leak Previous Editions Select Day 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved