UN gives Iran 30 days to halt uranium scheme
TERESA KÜCHLER
30.03.2006 @ 09:59 CET
The 15 members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday (29 March) unanimously called on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities within 30 days and cooperate with UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The adoption of the text, proposed by France and the UK, came after three weeks of troublesome negotiations, with China and Russia opposed to any wording that could later be used to press for military action or sanctions against Iran, according to press reports.
The UN Security Council has given Teheran 30 days to stop enriching uranium (Photo: United Nations)
In the watered-down version of the original Franco-British text, there is no mention of Iran's activities as jeopardising peace and security, formulas that traditionally herald tougher future action.
Nevertheless, the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council expressed satisfaction with the joint call on Wednesday.
"It's a strong message we're sending to Iran - that Iran has to comply with the resolution and the requests made by the board of governors of the IAEA," French ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere said, according to Le Monde.
US ambassador John Bolton indicated Wednesday's statement sends "a very clear message" that Iran should meet its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"Libya made the decision that they were safer, better off, giving up the pursuit of nuclear weapons than continuing to pursue them," he said according to Reuters, referring to the fact that Tripoli ditched a previous nuclear scheme.
"I think the people of Iran understand that logic. Now we'll see whether their government understands it," he added.
The council will request IAEA director-general Mohamed El Baradei to deliver a new report on Iran's compliance with IAEA demands, including the suspension of its enrichment activities, after the 30 day deadline.
Iran not persuaded
Iran's UN ambassador, Javad Zarif, reacted saying that Iran had an "inalienable right" to pursue nuclear energy and is "allergic to pressure and intimidation."
"Iran's commitment to the non-proliferation regime, to non-proliferation, is categorical," he added.
Iranian officials say the country's nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, mainly generating electricity to meet rising domestic demand.
On Thursday, foreign ministers of the five permanent council members and Germany are due to meet in Berlin for another round of discussions about the international community's future strategy on Iran.
Germany, UK, France, China, US and Russia will discuss what to do if Iran does not comply with IAEA demands within the 30 days.
