Iran urged to heed UN nuclear order
6/1/2007 9:46
China yesterday urged Iran to give a "serious response" to United
Nations sanctions imposed over its nuclear program.
Iran's nuclear
negotiator, Ali Larijani, who was in Beijing for a two-day visit, met President
Hu Jintao and delivered a letter from Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad.
The two discussed the UN sanctions, which bar all countries from
selling materials and technology to Iran that could contribute to its nuclear
and missile programs.
The resolution, passed last month, also froze the
assets of 10 Iranian companies, and 12 individuals related to those
programs.
The sanctions reflect "the shared concerns of the international
community over the Iranian nuclear issue, and we hope Iran could make a serious
response to the resolution," Hu told Larijani.
He added that "China continues
to believe the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomatic
negotiation."
The resolution, adopted on December 23, imposed sanctions
against Iran for its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment program. The
resolution demands that Iran "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities, including research and development," and "work on all heavy
water-related projects."
Hu said China always holds a consistent position on
the Iranian nuclear issue, and supports the maintenance of the international
non-proliferation system, and peace and stability.
"The international
community should continue the diplomatic efforts to promote the early resumption
of negotiations to achieve a long-term, comprehensive and good settlement of the
Iranian nuclear issue," Hu said. He also spoke highly of the strong China-Iran
relations.
Xinhua
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