UN Security Council circulates weaker draft on Iran nuclear program
The earlier U.S.-backed version mandated immediate sanctions if Iran did not halt its enrichment of uranium.
By The Associated PressThe five permanent members of the UN Security Council on Friday circulated a resolution that would give Iran until August 31 to suspend uranium enrichment or face the threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
The latest draft is weaker than an initial proposal from Britain, France and Germany, with U.S. backing. While the earlier version would have made the sanctions threat immediate if Iran did not comply, the latest draft would essentially give Iran another chance later on to come around.
That was a victory for Russia and China, which argue that the resolution is not an ultimatum but a new request for Iran to accept a deal that would give it various incentives if it suspends uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
"There [are] no sanctions introduced on Iran in the draft resolution which we are finalizing," Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.
The resolution, drafted by Britain, France and Germany with U.S. backing, is a follow-up to a July 12 agreement - by the foreign ministers of those four countries, plus Russia and China - to refer Tehran to the Security Council for not responding to the incentives to suspend enrichment.
The ministers asked that council members adopt a resolution making Iran's suspension of enrichment activities mandatory. Tehran said last week it would reply August 22 to the Western incentive package, but the council decided to go ahead with a resolution and not wait for Iran's response.
The draft was formally circulated to the full 15-member council later Friday and could be adopted next week. Diplomats said it was still possible that the United States could still seek amendments even though it wants the resolution adopted as quickly as possible.
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton portrayed the draft as a much tougher statement than Churkin did, stressing the eventual threat of sanctions if Iran does not comply.
"The next step will be the consideration of sanctions in the Security Council and it would be our intention to move forcefully to get those sanctions adopted," Bolton told the council.
Iran on Friday called again for international negotiations on its nuclear ambitions and said it was considering the incentives. Western nations have dismissed the idea of such talks without a halt to Iran's uranium enrichment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, speaking to reporters in Malaysia, said Tehran considers the package as a "positive step" toward a diplomatic solution.
The U.S. and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium for nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is purely peaceful and aimed at generating electricity.
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So now they are given another extension! This cannot be done! All it does is give them more time to brew terror. More time to develop new terror. More time to carry on, unrestricted, supplying arms to Hezbolah which are used to spread terror!
Iran, don't say a a word until August 31. Keep quite is the best policy for at least until this year ended (after US mid-terms election in November 2006). GOP is in middle of a very deteriorating circumstances caused by many confucing policy in Iraq, Lebanon, North Korea nuclear program, etc. You're in the upper hand now. KEEP SILENCE AND COOL.
2 US UNSC vetoes, in 2 weeks! Is it fair to the dead, and whole world feels Israeli bombing a well known, for many years, well marked, UN observatory post, on Israeli and Lebanon border, on a clear morning, after umpteen calls documented to Israel to remind them they were bombing close to UN Blue Line observatory post, wth unarmed UN Peace Keepers in observation post and on the ground, all murdered on purpose? Twenty minutes after UN last phone call to Israel,IAF took direct strike, at UN observation post, murdering ALL! IAF not stupid. Maybe IAF proved it, like US-AIPAC Congress and Bush hate UN. Demonize and slander UN daily! US uses UN as a weapon to either harm or cover Israeli deeds,Israel would not allow for another UN nation state. Lebanon has hundreds of UN claim against Israel flying over its sovereign air space, in it ports, and over Blue Line spying, abducting citizens for ?barging chips? would be suspects, would be bomb planter. Administrative detention,no charge for years
2 US UNSC vetoes, in 2 weeks! Is it fair to the dead, and whole world feels Israeli bombing a well known, for many years, well marked, UN observatory post, on Israeli and Lebanon border, on a clear morning, after umpteen calls documented to Israel to remind them they were bombing close to UN Blue Line observatory post, wth unarmed UN Peace Keepers in observation post and on the ground, all murdered on purpose? Twenty minutes after UN last phone call to Israel,IAF took direct strike, at UN observation post, murdering ALL! IAF not stupid. Maybe IAF proved it, like US-AIPAC Congress and Bush hate UN. Demonize and slander UN daily! US uses UN as a weapon to either harm or cover Israeli deeds,Israel would not allow for another UN nation state. Lebanon has hundreds of UN claim against Israel flying over its sovereign air space, in it ports, and over Blue Line spying, abducting citizens for ?barging chips? would be suspects, would be bomb planter. Administrative detention,no charge for years
The Israeli adventure in Lebanon has increased the validity of Iran having nuclear weapons. When attacked by Hizbollah, Israel "punished" the people of Lebanon. Israel is aggressive, self-rightous, has a history of ignoring the UN, and has nuclear weapons. This alone gives validity to any other nation in the mideast following suit.
took nearly one year and is the result of the upcoming draft on Israel next week. A way of avoiding critism with regards to the int. community's lack of drive vis-a-vis Iran. Pathetic. Wake up Israel, it is about time to read the writing on wall. You are being sacrificed on the alter of western realpolitik. Stand firm now.
The world is more than America and Israel. Infact, Israel's very existance is a big question mark. No one can stop Iran to achieve the scientific know-how as it is not a private property of the Americans or the Zionists. If anyone tries to invade Iran it will be it's last move. Hopefully Israelis already know what they are messing with.
Kazimi - don't be so sure. The neocon nut cases would be delighted if Syria/Iran jumped into the Lebanon crisis providing them with perfect excuse to attack them. Secondly, Mutually Assured Destruction - MAD stopped either Cold War party waging direct war, Iran will never have such missile throw weight so the best it can expect if it threatens USA's interests is SAD - Self Assured Destruction. Korea's percieved protection by having the bomb is not a comparable example - they don't sit on the oil wells. Kim is China's problem.
Hiding in the Iranian embassy huh? I wouldn't want to be there.
America, even now, in it's fallen state, is still the greatest nation on the earth. Iran, Syria, and North Korea, are just festered pimples on America's ass, also putting it nicely. They will get popped soon however. The popping is required to get all the coruption out, then the pimples will heal.
Brimstones on fire/upon the world?s thinest wire/ where Daddy is dancing alone Sadly reminded of all who`s been blinded before/ Daddy needs more More of the sunshine/more of the wine/some of that love that seems so hard to find/ from some pretty angel who can hear him call/ some angel to catch poor Daddy as he falls/madly in love/sadly in love with the bottle, in love with the fire/now there`s a life of a clown/who sees the world spin around/as he rolls out of town. There is the moon light and there is the road/we kept to the right then just as we been told/but down by the river we stop for a while/for something to drink and to wash the dust out of our eyes/Daddy and I, Daddy and I,Daddy and I/ and a bottle of Rye DRUNK AS A SKUNK! CHEERS!
Since the U.N. has proven itself a prop and only a prop, there really is no need to make anymore resolutions, as long as countries who want to bring down the leader over in Iran do so, NO PROBLEM. That is why your seeing weaker and weaker U.N., because it never was strong to begin with. It bowed to terrorists and is now nothing more than a fanciful dream... the U.S. and Israel will do the necessary work with other countries willing to do what is necessary and the rest of the world can dream on at the U.N.!
re.resolution. stop the game.pass the resolution. point final. it is absurd to think "western" when "iran" is playing in a completely different mind-state and mentality. i.e. the game of ofustication, constant delay tactics etc.etc. and the west has a hard time to understand the game and the play. if nuclear rules are already set up -- there is no reason to give time, time and more time to a country that does not obey the rules. diplomacy has an end -- and time to act. the clock is ticking and not in the favor of the free western world.i rest my case.
As usual, the UN cowers in front of insane dictators. I guess the UN is going to force a nuclear confrontation between Iran and Israel. Go Israel! We have your back!
As Ayatollah Khomaini once said: "America can't do a damn thing". He was so right.
The US has managed to spoil the UN Security Council actions and render it useless similar to the rest of the UN body. The irresponsible, and the excissive use of the US veto comes with a high price. The other nations will want to excercise their right of their veto in the next upcoming events concerning Iran, Syria and perhaps even North Korea, and for a very good rerason. It is unfair for one country to hog all the vetos, while the rest sit and watch. Iran will develop their program while enjoying this division in the Security Council as a result of US actions. We tell Mr. Boulton to carry on on his veto, and continue to sound as dumb as ever.
We are allowing this world body of dictators to sign all of our death sentences. Iran laughs and continues with their weapons of mass destruction while we all sit around circulating worthless drafts that are ineffective anyway. If this wasn't so sad, it would be funny. The UN Security Council really believe that the US and Israel will be the only recipiants of Irans nuclear attack. make nbo mistake, that will happen sometime this next year. Europe, China, and Russia think that they will all split the spoils.
The line is composed of those members out to get even with the Bush regime. It is a long line. By the time they have a 'resolution" Boulton will have to veto it.