Six powers agree on framework for UN resolution on Iran |
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Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:16
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PARIS (AFX) - The US, four European countries and China have agreed on the framework for a new UN resolution that will toughen sanctions against Iran, French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said today.The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are 'fully in agreement on the framework of a new resolution' aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear programme, said Douste-Blazy.US officials said another conference call is scheduled for tomorrow and work on the draft text could begin next week.Douste-Blazy said the new resolution would be drafted under the terms of article 41 of the UN charter, which authorises the Security Council to take all necessary measures, except military ones, to enforce its resolutions.'The political directors also discussed the broad outlines of the contents of the new resolution,' said the minister.The breakthrough came during a telephone conference call yesterday between political directors from the UK, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US.The officials had met on Monday in London to thrash out tougher action against Iran after the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, reported Iran had not halted but in fact was expanding its uranium enrichment programme.US intelligence claimed Iran could produce a nuclear weapon by 'early to mid next decade'. The US has refused to rule out military action against the country.Iran, however, has denied seeking atomic weapons, and asserts it has a right to a peaceful nuclear programme. It vowed on Tuesday never to yield to the West's demand for a freeze on sensitive nuclear work.The Iranian government has continued uranium enrichment at its plant in Natanz, central Iran, and wants to install thousands of uranium-enriching centrifuges there this year.The UN Security Council agreed in December to impose its first sanctions against Iran, including a bar on the sale of nuclear-related materials to the Islamic Republic and a freeze on financial assets of Iranians involved in illicit atomic research.newsdesk@afxnews.comafp/ms1COPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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Oil prices higher in Asian trade as row over Iranian nuclear ambitions heats up 