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Iran warns UN against adoption of sanction resolution
11/12/2006 10:49

Iran yesterday warned the UN Security Council against adoption of any resolution that would impose sanctions on the Islamic republic, threatening to drop out cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"If the UN Security Council adopts a resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran will revise its policies on the level of its cooperation with the IAEA," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini told his weekly press briefing.

He also criticized Britain, France and Germany for choosing a "very wrong course" in dealing with Iran on its nuclear issue.

"The three European countries have taken up a very wrong course and we hope that they revise their policies and return to the talks," Hosseini said.

Britain, France and Germany circulated on Friday afternoon to UN Security Council members a revised draft resolution which imposed sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

"The present draft is more in line with the U.S. interfering policies," Hosseini said.

According to a copy of the draft resolution obtained by Xinhua, it urges Iran to suspend all enrichment activities as well as all heavy water related projects.

It bars Iran from importing or exporting key materials and technology related to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Meanwhile, the text, drafted by the three European countries, also imposes financial and travel restriction on persons and agencies involved.

However, the new text is still far from Russia's expectation, a UN diplomat said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Without further revision, it is really hard for Russia to endorse it," he added.

The six major powers -- the United States, Russia, China and the three EU countries -- are set to resume talks on the text on the table Monday morning, according to the diplomat, who disclosed that the West is pushing hard for the adoption of the draft resolution before the Christmas.



Xinhua News