Iran Nuclear Issue

Russia's proposals on Iran gut Euro text

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-11-08 14:59

UNITED NATIONS - Russia proposed major deletions to a European draft UN resolution aimed at stemming Iran's nuclear ambitions, according to a text of Moscow's proposed amendments obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.

Technicians of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation in a control room supervise activities at the Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan, 420 km (261 miles) south of Tehran August 8, 2005. Russia proposed major deletions to a proposed European draft resolution aimed at stemming Iran's nuclear ambitions, according to a text of Moscow's proposed amendments obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. [Reuters]

Moscow's objections to the sanctions plan, which included eliminating an assets freeze and a travel ban, are bound to drag out talks through November. They were discussed at a meeting of six major powers on Tuesday.

"Clearly I think in a number of difficult areas the difference cannot be bridged so I believe there should be more reflections in capitals," China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, said after the meeting.

Other envoys said the talks were still at an early stage. "The main thing is we now have a European proposal on the table. We now have some Russian amendments. We now have some American amendments and we need to discuss them," Russia's UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said.

But he conceded, "There is a considerable gap."

The sanctions seek to punish Iran for refusing to suspend work on uranium enrichment, as an August 31 Security Council resolution demands. Washington believes the enrichment is a cover for bomb-making and Tehran says it is for peaceful uses.

The European draft UN Security Council resolution, drawn up by Britain, France and Germany, demands nations prevent the sale and supply of equipment, technology and financing contributing to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Russia instead wants this provision to focus only on "enrichment-related and reprocessing activities," heavy-water reactors and the development of "nuclear weapon delivery systems." And Russia says such sanctions should be determined by national governments rather than be mandatory for all nations.