Chinese language - Britain calls for new talks with Iran

WORLD / EU

Britain calls for new talks with Iran
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-21 10:59

UNITED NATIONS - Britain has suggested imposing U.N. sanctions on Iran
unless it allays suspicions about its nuclear program, but Russia and
China remained at odds with Europe and the United States Monday night on
the best way to confront Tehran.

Nicholas Burns, US Undersecretary of State speaks to reporters after a
meeting held in New York by senior diplomats from six key nations to
discuss how to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, the radioactive
material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon, Monday, March 20,
2006. [AP]

Senior diplomats from six key nations convened for a 4 1/2-hour meeting
to discuss how to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, the
radioactive material that can be used to make a nuclear weapon. But they
still could not overcome Russian and Chinese opposition to tough action
in the U.N. Security Council.

The meeting, hosted by British Foreign Office Director John Sawers,
occurred hours after a letter came to light detailing Britain's approach
to Iran. The confidential document from Sawers suggested a blend of
threats and enticements, starting with a Security Council statement and
then moving to a legally binding resolution demanding Iran halt uranium
enrichment.

It would introduce a package of incentives as a way of getting Russia and
China onboard, and if Tehran fails to allay fears that it may be
developing nuclear weapons, push "further measures" �� possibly including
sanctions, according to the letter obtained by The Associated Press.

But Monday evening's meeting appeared to achieve little, with officials
from all sides saying that talks would continue. The immediate
disagreement, which the Security Council has grappled with for a week, is
over a proposed council statement urging Iran to abandon uranium
enrichment and calling for a report in 14 days.

The Security Council has scheduled consultations on the statement Tuesday
afternoon and U.S. Ambassador John Bolton had expressed hope it could be
adopted at the end of the meeting.

But U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told reporters after
Monday's meeting that further discussions were needed.

"It may take a little bit of time, but it's going to be worth the time
because when we do achieve that statement, it will be yet another clear
unified message by the international community" Burns said.

The six countries present �� the United States, Russia, China, Britain,
France and Germany �� differ on the best way to get Tehran to halt
uranium enrichment, which can be used either to generate electricity or
to produce nuclear arms.

The British hoped the Russians and Chinese would agree to tougher council
action if necessary in exchange for Western willingness to engage in new
negotiations, according to the letter and U.N. diplomats.

Moscow and Beijing want the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, the
International Atomic Energy Agency, to assume the main role in cajoling
Iran on enrichment and its refusal to fully cooperate with an IAEA probe.
They also contend that 14 days is too short for a progress report on
Iran's compliance.

After Monday's meeting, China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya reiterated
his stance that Beijing could agree to Security Council action "if it is
a short, brief political statement."

The March 16 letter stressed the importance of showing Iran that "more
serious measures are likely" if it doesn't stop enriching uranium ��
possibly including a legally binding resolution that cound be enforced by
military means. But it acknowledged the challenge that negotiators will
face in getting Russia and China onboard, and suggested a package of
proposals to entice Iran.

"We are not going to bring the Russians and Chinese to accept significant
sanctions over the coming months, certainly not without further efforts
to bring the Iranians around," the letter said.

It was addressed to Burns, German Foreign Office Political Director
Michael Schaefer and French Foreign Ministry Political Director Stanislas
de Laboulaye.

Russia and China have said tough council action could spark an Iranian
withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The United States, Britain and France want a statement listing demands
already made by the IAEA �� including the suspension of uranium
enrichment and steps toward greater transparency and more cooperation.

Negotiations between Iran and France, Germany and Britain collapsed in
August after Tehran rejected incentives offered in return for a permanent
end to enrichment. Its subsequent moves to toward enrichment capabilities
led the IAEA to ask for Security Council involvement earlier this year.

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