The UN nuclear watchdog board votes by 27 out of 35 to refer Iran’s nuclear activities to the UN Security Council. Washington bows to Egypt’s demand to tag Israel onto the Iranian case
February 4, 2006
DEBKAfile
Original Source: http://www.debka.com/index.php
The United States overcame a final delay of voting by accepting an Egyptian demand under European presssure that the resolution also support the creation of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East, a code for Israel’s disarmament. 
DEBKAfile adds: This linkage between Iran’s illegal activities and the Israeli case has long been demanded by the Arab states and opposed by Washington. Its acceptance now opens the way for the integration of the same linkage in the Security Council debate on Iran and represents the collapse of one of a foundation of Israel’s foreign and security policies. 
The resolution recognized “that a solution to the Iranian issue would contribute to global nonproliferation efforts and… the objective of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, including their means of delivery.” 
Three members, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria, voted against the resolution, 5 abstained. The text will be held in abeyance for five weeks as per a condition for approval set by Russia and China. 
Iran responded to the resolution by announcing its immediate return to full-scale uranium enrichment and halt of spot checks by UN inspectors.