USA: United Nations resolution passes calling for suspension of Iran's nuclear development

The U.N. Security Council on Monday (July 31) demanded that Iran suspend its nuclear activities within a month or face the threat of sanctions, but Tehran rejected the move as illegal. The Council adopted a resolution demanding the suspension by a vote of 14 to 1, with Qatar, the only Arab member of the council, voting against. The resolution, which follows weeks of negotiations, demands that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development." If Tehran does not comply by Aug. 31, the council would consider adopting "appropriate measures" under Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which refers to economic sanctions. The resolution is the first on Iran with legally binding demands and a threat to consider sanctions. The United States and its allies suspect Iran is developing a nuclear bomb and accuse it of hiding research over 18 years. Said U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton following the Security Council meeting, "We hope this resolution will demonstrate to Iran that the best way to end this international isolation is to simply give up the pursuit of nuclear weapons. We look forward to Iran's full, unconditional and immediate compliance with this resolution. We hope that Iran makes the strategic decision that the pursuit of programmes of weapons of mass destruction makes it less and not more secure." Iranian U.N. Ambassador Javad Zarif, in a lengthy statement on the history of Tehran's treatment by the West, reiterated the country's nuclear program was for peaceful purposes only. He quoted various occasions in which Iran objected to the unbalanced use of nuclear non-proliferation standards by the U.S. and its allies, singling out their treatment of Israel and its purported possession of nuclear arm. "Today we are witness to an extremely dangerous trend. While members of the NPT (Non-proliferation Treaty) are denied their rights and are punished, those who defy the NPT, particularly the perpetrators of current carnage in Lebanon and Palestine are rewarded by generous nuclear cooperation agreements. This goes so far that when it suits the United States even the acquisition of nuclear weapons for non NPT members becomes 'legitimate', to quote the U.S. ambassador. This is one awkward way to strengthen the NPT or ensure its universality," he said in conclusion. Germany and the council's five permanent members with veto power -- the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain -- negotiated the text. The six in June offered a package of energy, commercial and technological incentives if Iran suspended it uranium enrichment work. Iran has said it will respond late next month. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said that if Iran suspends its nuclear work, the council would suspend its own actions over the matter. He told reporters, "The ball is now very firmly in the Iranian court. We have made the offer, it is on the table and provided Iran meets the conditions within it, we can always get back into negotiations, which s the path we would prefer, but that is Iran's choice." U.S. President George W. Bush also commented on the U.N. resolution on Monday (July 31) calling it "strong." The U.S. president told reporters during a trip to Miami: "The Iranians must hear loud and clear with this resolution the world's intent, upon working together, to make sure that they do not end up with a nuclear weapon." The resolution is drafted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, Article 40, which says the council, before taking any action, can call on those concerned to "comply with such provisional measures as it deems necessary." Chapter 7 makes a resolution mandatory and provides options for enforcement. The document excludes any military action.

ITN Source | August 1, 2006

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