UN Security Council Backs New Iran Sanctions

UN Security Council Backs New Iran Sanctions

09.06.2010 15:43

The United Nations Security Council has approved a package of economic sanctions aimed at punishing Iran over its suspect nuclear program.

Twelve members of the Security Council voted "yes," while Brazil and Turkey opposed the resolution and Lebanon abstained.

"Today, the United Nations Security Council voted overwhelmingly to sanction Iran for its continued failure to live up to it's obligations," U.S. President Barack Obama said after the vote. "This resolution will put in place the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government, and it sends an unmistakable message about the international community's commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons."

The UN had already imposed three rounds of sanctions since 2006.

The West suspects Iran is using its civilian nuclear program to hide enrichment activities aimed at developing a nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies.

Speaking after the vote, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the Security Council "has responded decisively to the grave threat to international peace and security posed by Iran's failure to live up to its obligations under the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty."

"We are at this point because the government of Iran has chosen clearly and willfully to violate its commitments to the [International Atomic Energy Agency] and the resolutions of this council," Rice said. "Despite consistent and long-standing demands by the international community, Iran has not suspended its uranium enrichment and other proliferation activities."

The package of penalties targets Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, ballistic missiles, and nuclear-related investments. It also authorizes states to seize suspected cargo ships and ban exports of helicopters and battle tanks to Tehran.

But it doesn't impose severe economic punishments or an embargo on oil shipments, which are Iran's chief source of income.

Watered-Down

The version that passed was weaker than an original draft submitted by the United States last month because Russia and China -- two permanent members with veto power -- insisted on compromises.

The two "no" votes -- Turkey and Brazil -- brokered a fuel-swap agreement with Iran last month which they hoped would address concerns Tehran may be enriching uranium for nuclear weapons and avoid new sanctions. The West dismissed the deal as too little and too late.

Brazilian Ambassador to the UN Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said Brazil does not view sanctions "as an effective instrument in this case."

"Sanctions will most probably lead to the suffering of the people of Iran and will play into the hands of those on all sides that do not want dialogue to prevail," she told the council. "Past experiences in the UN, notably the case of Iraq, show that the spiral of sanction threats and isolation can result in tragic consequences."

Turkish Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan said the fuel swap deal Tehran agreed to last month should have been given more time to work before a vote on sanctions was taken.

"The Tehran Declaration provides a new and important window of opportunity for diplomacy," Apakan said. "Sufficient time and space should be allowed for its implementation. We are deeply concerned that adoption of sanctions will negatively affect the momentum created by the declaration and the overall diplomatic process."

'Determination And Commitment'

UK Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant read out the text of a statement that was agreed on by the foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and supported by the high representative of the European Union.

"We, the foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our determination and commitment to seek and early, negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue," Grant said.

The statement says the aim of the five countries' efforts is to "achieve a comprehensive and long-term settlement which would restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, while respecting Iran's legitimate rights to the peaceful use of atomic energy."

It also said the group expects "Iran to demonstrate a pragmatic attitude and to respond positively to our openness towards dialogue and negotiations."

In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told state-owned Al-Alam Television that the new sanctions are an "incorrect step" that will "complicate" negotiations over its nuclear program.

compiled from RFE/RL and agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Security_Council_Backs_New_Iran_Sanctions/2066760.html

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UN Security Council Backs New Iran Sanctions