Posted By: John Steele
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - In an effort to toughen a
European draft resolution on Iran, the United States wants the
text to say that Tehran's nuclear ambitions posed a threat to
international peace and security, diplomats said.
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U.S. Ambassador John Bolton circulated among a small group
a series of amendments, including stronger language on the
threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Similar wording on a "threat to international peace and
security" was included in an October U.N. Security Council
resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea after its nuclear
test.
Conversely Russia, backed by China, proposed amendments
Friday that would soften the sanctions and cut some of them.
The U.S. proposals "are very much in the spirit of the
resolution we put down," said one European diplomat, speaking
on condition of anonymity because the amendments have not been
made public.
"We certainly think they are in the ballpark of the
negotiable," he said. "However, they point in the other
direction from the Russian amendments."
The draft resolution from Britain, France and Germany
demands all countries prevent the sale and supply of equipment,
technology and financing contributing to Iran's nuclear and
ballistic missile programs. It also would freeze the assets of
people and entities involved in these programs and bar them
from traveling.
The rival views of the major powers indicate negotiations
will be lengthy and difficult on the resolution, designed to
punish Iran for not adhering to U.N demands it suspend its
enrichment program. The West believes the program is a cover
for bomb-making, but Iran says it is for peaceful purposes.
Another U.S. proposal was to appoint an outside board of
experts to report to a council sanctions committee on whether
the embargoes had been implemented by member states, according
to two European diplomats. Several Security Council committees
now have such an outside advisory board.
Germany, a key negotiator, and the five permanent council
members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China
-- are expected to resume negotiations later this week,
possibly Tuesday or Wednesday.
The draft resolution also excludes any use of force in the
future by pointing to a specific provision in Chapter 7 of the
U.N. Charter that applies to sanctions only.
On Friday, both Russia and the United States submitted
proposals and counterproposals that governments of the six are
now studying.
Vitaly Churkin, Russia's U.N. ambassador, said his
government wanted the draft to be redrawn to encourage the
Iranians to return to talks on its nuclear program.
Churkin said the Russian amendments shortened the European
text. Bolton called the changes "extensive."
Churkin also wants the resolution to exclude mention of the
Bushehr nuclear plant that Russia is building in southwest
Iran. The draft exempts Bushehr construction but not any
nuclear fuel that may be delivered.
(Additional reporting by Carol Giacomo in Washington)
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