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UN progresses on Iran sanctions

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday slammed the UN Security Council as lacking any legitimacy as the body prepared a second package of sanctions over Iran's disputed nuclear program.

"Today the enemies of the Iranian people are seeking to use the Security Council to prevent the progress and development of Iran," Ahmadinejad said in his latest speech on a two-day tour of the central Yazd Province.

"But the Security Council has no legitimacy among the peoples of the world," the IRNA agency quoted him as saying.

Major powers reached broad agreement on Wednesday on a package of sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programs but a vote in the Security Council is not expected until next week.

Envoys from the US, Russia, China, Britain and France, permanent council members, who negotiated the text along with Germany, said the draft had been sent to their respective capitals for approval, which is not automatic.

After that the 10 non-permanent council members must deliberate before any vote can be taken.

The draft text would increase an earlier list of Iranian groups and companies subject to an assets freeze and ban all arms exports from Iran.

"We have an agreement in principle based on some additional changes that were introduced and presented today by some delegations," Alejandro Wolff, a US ambassador, told reporters. "So it's new elements and understandings that need confirmation from capitals."

The resolution, if adopted, would penalize Tehran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, which can be used in nuclear bombs or for peaceful ends.

The new measures follow a resolution adopted last December that imposed trade sanctions on Iran's sensitive nuclear materials and technology, and froze the assets of some Iranian individuals and companies.

Iran ignored a Feb. 21 deadline to suspend enrichment or face further steps.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the text of the new draft resolution "by and large" had been agreed. "On some of the elements some delegations are still double checking with capitals," he said.

According to the latest draft, the council would increase the list of people and firms whose assets would be frozen and impose an arms embargo on Iranian exports of conventional weapons.

Heavy weapons

On imports of heavy weapons to Iran, the text asks states to "exercise vigilance and restraint."

The text also calls on all nations and international financial institutions not to enter into new commitments for grants, financial assistance and loans except "for humanitarian and developmental purposes."

It does not impose a mandatory travel embargo on Iranian officials engaged in sensitive nuclear activities but says nations must notify a Security Council sanctions committee if any of the named people pass through their territory.

The new draft resolution would give Iran another 60 days to comply or face a threat of further sanctions. But all measures would be suspended if Tehran halts uranium enrichment and returns to negotiations.

Despite the near agreement, China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya (王光亞) again hesitated over the list of Iranian officials, groups and companies subject to an asset freeze.

"The main objective is our concern about Iranian nuclear and missile activities," Wang told reporters.

"So there is no need to expand beyond that area," he said.
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