The six major powers, the United States, Russia, China, Britain,
France and Germany, kicked off Monday afternoon their series of
informal talks on Iran's nuclear program.
Ambassadors from the six powers met at the British mission to
discuss the elements of a new sanctions draft resolution aimed at
pushing Iran back to the negotiations.
German Ambassador Thomas Matussek told reporters that they will
review the elements of a resolution discussed by senior officials
of the six powers during a telephone conversation Saturday.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said that "there are some
elements, but there is no draft resolution as such," adding that
"what Russia wants is a political outcome, negotiations. But
unfortunately the Iranian side has not complied with the previous
resolution."
According to diplomats who said on condition of anonymity, the
elements, initiated by both the United States and Britain,
contained tougher and more comprehensive sanctions compared to the
previous resolution against Iran in December.
The new resolution will, in accordance with the current
elements, impose more severe sanctions on Iran in terms of travel
ban, embargo of arms imports and exports, and stiffer economic
sanctions including a ban on export guarantees to Iran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Feb. 22 in
the report filed in Vienna to the IAEA's 35-nation board of
governors and the UN Security Council that "Iran has not suspended
its enrichment-related activities."
The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Dec. 23, 2006,
demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment in 60 days. However,
Iran has failed to do so and claimed its nuclear program is for
civilian purposes only.
The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear
weapons under the cover of a civilian program, a charge that Iran
has denied.
(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2007)
