The European Union (EU) on Monday expressed disappointment at
Iran's refusal to respond positively to a nuclear package and
threatened with sanctions if Iran fails to suspend uranium
enrichment as required by the package.
"The Council (of foreign ministers) expresses its deep
disappointment that Iran has not responded positively to the offer
of negotiations," said the EU foreign ministers in a statement.
The package was designed by Britain, France and Germany, the
three countries which had negotiated with Iran on behalf of the EU,
and was backed by the United States, Russia and China.
Iran defied Western demands that it should have responded to the
offer before the July 15 G8 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The EU ministers recalled that the International Atomic Energy
Agency Board of Governors and the UN Security Council have
repeatedly called on Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment-related
and reprocessing activities.
The nuclear package was an attempt to find a way for Iran to
fulfill these requirements without further action in the UN
Security Council, said the statement.
"Should Iran not comply, we will work for the adoption of
measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN Charter," said
the statement.
Article 41 of Chapter VII says the Security Council may impose
economic sanctions to force a member state to comply with its
decisions.
The six sponsors of the nuclear package decided on Wednesday to
bring the Iranian nuclear issue back to the UN Security Council,
agreeing to withhold further action if Iran returns to the
negotiating table.
The EU foreign ministers echoed the position of the six
nations.
"We remain committed to a diplomatic solution, and the ideas put
to Iran remain on the table," said the statement.
"Should Iran decide to suspend all its enrichment-related
activities and to implement the Additional Protocol (of the
Non-Proliferation Treaty), the way to negotiation would be reopened
and action in the Security Council could be suspended," it
added.
The ministers said the package will not only meet the Iran's
needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power program, but also
would open the way to a new relationship with Iran based on mutual
respect and expanded cooperation in political and economic
fields.
The EU remains committed to building a long-term relationship
with Iran based on confidence and cooperation, said the
statement.
Such a development, however, will depend on progress on all
issues of concern which include terrorism, Iran's approach to the
Middle East peace process and human rights, it said.
EU foreign policy and security chief Javier Solana has recently
held two rounds of talks with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali
Larijani. But officials said the talks were disappointing.
(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2006)
