Russia To Support European Resolution On Iran

Russia?s new UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said Moscow would be prepared to back a Franco-British draft resolution on the Iranian nuclear crisis if its concerns were addressed, AFP reported. But he made clear that his government remained opposed to the use of force or sanctions to resolve the nuclear standoff with Tehran, Mosnews.com reported.

Churkin spoke to reporters after attending Security Council consultations at which France and Britain circulated a draft resolution that would legally oblige Iran to comply with UN demands that it freeze uranium enrichment, but does not call for sanctions, AFP noted.

The text, worked out in close consultation with Germany and the United States, invokes Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which can authorize economic sanctions, or even, as a last resort, the use of force, in cases of threats to international peace and security, the report added. It says ?Iran shall suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, to be verified by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and suspend the construction of a reactor moderated by heavy water?.

?In our view the resolution would be a means to advance the diplomatic and political resolution of the issue,? Churkin said. ?The goal of the Russian federation is to make sure that the regime of non-proliferation is strengthened. We do not believe that the matter can be resolved by the use of force.?

Russia and China, which are close trading partners of Tehran and have veto powers by virtue of being permanent members of the council, have said they oppose sanctions or the use of force, AFP stated. Asked if Moscow would be ready to accept the draft if it was amended to address its concerns, Churkin replied: ?Of course, we participated in taking the decision that we should go ahead with the resolution.?