UN powers split over tough Iran resolution

By Mark Turner
May 4, 2006
The Financial Times
Original Source: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/11c16858-db0a-11da-aa09-0000779e2340.html
Britain and France yesterday proposed an unexpectedly tough Security Council resolution on Iran, ordering it to cease nuclear enrichment or face the possibility of further measures.
China and Russia immediately rejected the draft, saying it was too aggressive and needed to be reworked.
I don't think this draft as it stands now will produce good results, said Wang Guangya, China's UN ambassador.
Both countries are opposed to using the UN's tough Chapter 7 enforcement powers, which determine a threat to international peace and security, and can be used to authorise sanctions or military force. But France, the UK and the US say Chapter 7 is essential.
The Franco-British draft tells Iran to suspend immediately all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, as well as the construction of a heavy water reactor. It also calls on all countries to exercise vigilance in preventing the transfer of items, materials, goods and technology that could contribute to Iran's enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and missile programmes.
That phrase appeared to foreshadow future sanctions, whether within or outside the UN. But Emyr Jones Parry, the UK's ambassador, said it was a reminder of existing obligations, rather than a sanctions precursor.
Vitaly Churkin, Russia's UN ambassador, insisted the resolution should stress a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis instead.
We do not believe the matter can be resolved by the use of force, he said. We are very sceptical about sanctions. Historically they have not been very useful.
John Bolton, the US ambassador, said the fundamental point was whether Russia and China would agree to Chapter 7. If they are prepared to accept that, we'll see what else is possible, he said.
European diplomats asserted that all steps were reversible if Iran came back into compliance. The resolution calls on the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency to report back, but left the time-frame blank.
Mr Bolton, who described the resolution as part of a two-step process, said it should be a very short time. Diplomats said 30 days was a possibility.
The text's sponsors hope to strike a deal before a meeting of foreign ministers next Monday. But diplomats say a meeting of high-level foreign policy officials in Paris this week did not go well, and expect tough negotiations ahead.