S. Africa Opposes Push for Iran Resolution
Source: alalam.ir, 06-02-2008
UNITED NATIONS-South Africa is protesting a push by five veto-wielding Security Council members to adopt new sanctions resolution against Iran, saying it wants to wait for a report from the UN nuclear agency later this month.
South Africa's UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo said Tuesday that the International Atomic Energy Agency would issue a new report on Iran's nuclear activities by Feb 20.
"Why are we rushing? Can't we wait for it?'' he said speaking with reporters.
"We just want to be sure that the council has all the information that it requires before it acts, but the timing is very important.''
The five permanent members _ the US, Russia, China, Britain and France _ circulated the text of their proposed new sanctions resolution on Friday night to South Africa and the nine other elected council members, who serve two-year terms.
It includes bans on travel and equipment that can be used in civilian and nuclear programs, stepped up monitoring of Iran's financial institutions, and inspection of air and sea cargo heading to or from Iran.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that foreign ministers of the five powers, along with Germany, which has been a key negotiator with Iran, want council action soon.
Delaying a vote until after the International Atomic Energy Agency report "is not the kind of understanding they had among the six foreign ministers,'' he said.
The six global powers offered Iran a package of economic incentives and political rewards in June 2006 if it agreed to freeze uranium enrichment before talks on its nuclear program.
But Iran has refused, despite two previous sets of UN sanctions.
Iran insists its enrichment activities are intended only to produce fuel for nuclear reactors.
The proposed resolution also calls on countries to inspect cargo heading to or from Iran on aircraft or vessels owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line "provided there are reasonable grounds to believe'' that prohibited goods are being transported.
South Africa's Kumalo said his government wants "clarity'' on the inspections.
"What happens if you search the wrong boat that has nothing, because it may be an Iranian boat, and it may be an innocent one? They'll sue us,'' he said.
Westerns diplomat said it might be difficult to get unanimous approval this time.
Fore example, Libya, which abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 2003, is uncomfortable with the idea of new sanctions against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has also urged the council to wait for the IAEA report.
Last year Iran agreed on a work plan with the Vienna-based IAEA that was intended to clear up all outstanding questions about Tehran's past nuclear activities.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said on Sunday he was making progress in wrapping up his investigation. The report is expected the week after next, diplomats in Vienna say.
Iran says it will only deal with the IAEA, but the draft resolution encourages European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana "to continue communication with Iran ... with a view to create necessary conditions for resuming talks'' on its nuclear program.
The draft welcomes the agreement between Iran and the IAEA to resolve all outstanding issues concerning its nuclear program "and progress made in this regard.''
It reiterates that the six countries "are willing to take further concrete measures on exploring an overall strategy of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation on the basis of their June 2006 proposals.''
It calls for a report from IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei in 90 days on Iran's compliance with the council's demands.
UNITED NATIONS-South Africa is protesting a push by five veto-wielding Security Council members to adopt new sanctions resolution against Iran, saying it wants to wait for a report from the UN nuclear agency later this month.
South Africa's UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo said Tuesday that the International Atomic Energy Agency would issue a new report on Iran's nuclear activities by Feb 20.
"Why are we rushing? Can't we wait for it?'' he said speaking with reporters.
"We just want to be sure that the council has all the information that it requires before it acts, but the timing is very important.''
The five permanent members _ the US, Russia, China, Britain and France _ circulated the text of their proposed new sanctions resolution on Friday night to South Africa and the nine other elected council members, who serve two-year terms.
It includes bans on travel and equipment that can be used in civilian and nuclear programs, stepped up monitoring of Iran's financial institutions, and inspection of air and sea cargo heading to or from Iran.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that foreign ministers of the five powers, along with Germany, which has been a key negotiator with Iran, want council action soon.
Delaying a vote until after the International Atomic Energy Agency report "is not the kind of understanding they had among the six foreign ministers,'' he said.
The six global powers offered Iran a package of economic incentives and political rewards in June 2006 if it agreed to freeze uranium enrichment before talks on its nuclear program.
But Iran has refused, despite two previous sets of UN sanctions.
Iran insists its enrichment activities are intended only to produce fuel for nuclear reactors.
The proposed resolution also calls on countries to inspect cargo heading to or from Iran on aircraft or vessels owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line "provided there are reasonable grounds to believe'' that prohibited goods are being transported.
South Africa's Kumalo said his government wants "clarity'' on the inspections.
"What happens if you search the wrong boat that has nothing, because it may be an Iranian boat, and it may be an innocent one? They'll sue us,'' he said.
Westerns diplomat said it might be difficult to get unanimous approval this time.
Fore example, Libya, which abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 2003, is uncomfortable with the idea of new sanctions against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has also urged the council to wait for the IAEA report.
Last year Iran agreed on a work plan with the Vienna-based IAEA that was intended to clear up all outstanding questions about Tehran's past nuclear activities.
IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said on Sunday he was making progress in wrapping up his investigation. The report is expected the week after next, diplomats in Vienna say.
Iran says it will only deal with the IAEA, but the draft resolution encourages European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana "to continue communication with Iran ... with a view to create necessary conditions for resuming talks'' on its nuclear program.
The draft welcomes the agreement between Iran and the IAEA to resolve all outstanding issues concerning its nuclear program "and progress made in this regard.''
It reiterates that the six countries "are willing to take further concrete measures on exploring an overall strategy of resolving the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation on the basis of their June 2006 proposals.''
It calls for a report from IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei in 90 days on Iran's compliance with the council's demands.
