Iran Nuclear Sanctions Discussed in New York . . .

Last night, discussions of a sanctions resolution against Iran continued with representatives of the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China meeting at the British Mission to the United Nations in New York.

The draft was prepared by Britain, France, and Germany (the EU3). While some reports say the United States supports it, the United States apparently wants some unknown changes to the EU3 draft. One notable difference between the U.S. and EU3 is that the United States does not want an exception for nuclear materials to be used at the Bushehr nuclear facility.

According to France's UN representative, Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, the draft resolution would

1. Prevent sale or supply to Iran of materials for a nuclear and missile program;
2. Ban travel by those involved in the nuclear and missile program;
3. Freeze the assets and funds of people and entities involved in Iran's nuclear and missile program.

The draft resolution would penalize failure to comply under Chapter 7, Article 41, of the UN Charter, which allows for sanctions enforcement, but not military action.

France's President Jacques Chirac stated that he was not convinced of the effectiveness of sanctions and believed that if dialogue fails, sanctions against Iran must be "adjusted, adapted, temporary, reversible."

The United States demanded sanctions against Iran to deter proliferation, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stating that "Iran's defiance must be held to account to save the international community's credibility."

Russia questioned the validity of the draft sanctions resolution against Iran, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying that it "did not seem to 'match those tasks the six sides agreed on.'" Russia does not support too much pressure on Iran too quickly.

China also questioned the need for sanctions when negotiations are still possible.

"Since the door for diplomatic efforts is still open, why should we rush to sanctions?" said Chinese envoy Li Junhua said to reporters at the UN. "The EU package is still on the table. Sanctions, in our assessment, will not help."

Representatives of the parties are scheduled to meet again on Monday, October 30.