Iran condemns UN sanctions
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - March 4, 2008 The council approved the measures in a 14-0 vote, but unity
among the major powers faltered Tuesday when Russia and China
blocked an attempt by Western nations to introduce a resolution on
Iran's nuclear defiance at a meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog
agency.
The dispute reflected the often contentious relations between
the West and Russia and China about how to deal with Iran's refusal
to suspend enrichment and meet other Security Council demands aimed
at ensuring its nuclear program isn't trying to produce atomic
weapons.
The sanctions approved Monday ordered a freeze on assets of
additional Iranian officials and companies with links to the
country's nuclear and missile programs and banned for the first
time trade with Iran in some goods that have both civilian and
military uses.
"This resolution is contrary to the spirit and articles of the
International Atomic Energy Agency. It has been issued based on
political motivations and a biased approach. It is worthless and
unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini
was quoted as saying by Iran's official news agency.
He said the sanctions would "have no impact on the resolve and
determination of the Iranian nation and government to fulfill its
legitimate rights in continuing its peaceful nuclear activities
within the framework of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty."
Iran insists its enrichment work is intended to produce fuel for
nuclear reactors that would generate electricity. The U.S. and
others worry about Iran's intentions, because higher-grade enriched
uranium can be used to make nuclear warheads.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations,
told reporters in New York on Tuesday that Tehran's response meant
the Security Council had taken appropriate action.
"That shows that they don't like what has happened, which means
that we've done the right thing, because they are in violation of
two previous resolutions and we have to do something that indicates
displeasure and causes more pressure on them," Khalilzad said.
The new sanctions came after an IAEA report in late February
said Iran continues to defy U.N. demands to suspend uranium
enrichment.
While the report said the IAEA had made progress investigating
Iran's past nuclear activities, it said Tehran had not responded
properly to intelligence forwarded by the U.S. and its allies
purportedly showing the Iranians were developing nuclear weapons
technology.
In an attempt to keep up pressure on Iran, Britain, France and
Germany had hoped to present a resolution before the IAEA board,
which is currently meeting in Vienna, Austria, that highlighted
Tehran's nuclear defiance.
A draft of the resolution made available to The Associated Press
called on IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei to continue investigations
into the purported nuclear weapons-related experiments, despite
Iranian insistence that such allegations are fabrications.
Although they voted for the Security Council sanctions, Russia
and China scuttled the Western initiative at the IAEA on Tuesday, a
decision that appeared to stem from lingering unhappiness about not
being informed earlier of plans for the resolution.
Asked why Russia and China were opposed, one diplomat said
Moscow decided to withdraw its support "on principle" and
Beijing, which often takes a cue from Russia on the Iran nuclear
dispute, followed suit. He, like others accredited to the IAEA,
spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to
discuss the confidential information.
A senior Western diplomat said the decision to scrap the
resolution was jointly taken by the six powers trying to negotiate
with Iran on its nuclear program - the U.S., Russia, China,
Germany, Britain and France. He said the six felt the new U.N.
sanctions had sent enough of a message.
But two other diplomats, speaking separately, insisted the
resolution was scrapped because of Russian and Chinese opposition
and said any suggestions of unity on the issue were an attempt to
paper over an East-West split among the world powers.
Iran says the latest IAEA report vindicated its nuclear program
and left no justification for any Security Council sanctions.
"This illogical, illegal behavior by the Security Council not
only won't help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, but it will make
the issue more complicated," IRNA quoted Mohammad Saeedi, deputy
head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, as saying.
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Associated Press writers George Jahn in Vienna, Austria, and
Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.