Home>News Center>World
         
 

Atom agency seen reporting Iran to Security Council
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-03 09:44

Driven by rare consensus between Western powers and Russia and China, the U.N. nuclear watchdog looked set on Friday to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council over fears it may be after atomic bombs, Western diplomats said.


IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei briefs the media during a board of governors meeting in Vienna's U.N. headquarters, February 2, 2006. [Reuters]

Moscow and Beijing endorsed an EU-sponsored resolution to put the Council on notice about Iran so long as Tehran was given a reprieve at least until March to cooperate fully with U.N. probes before action, possibly including sanctions, could ensue.

Thursday's opening session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation board adjourned after a few hours for backdoor negotiations which EU leaders hoped would yield the maximum number of "yes" votes possible.

Analysts reckoned that after the board reconvenes at 9 a.m. EST on Friday, a majority of 25 to 30 will approve the resolution.

"On paper, we should be able to go for adoption of the resolution later on Friday. We are aiming for a wide board consensus thanks to the strong P-5 message," said an EU diplomat, referring to the Security Council quintet.

But if reported, Iran has threatened to lash back by halting U.N. spot checks of its atomic sites as part of a world treaty to deter clandestine nuclear bomb-making. Tehran has also warned it would pursue "industrial-scale" enrichment of uranium fuel.

Developing nations, querying the push to single out Iran when the IAEA has said it has found no hard proof of a bomb program, were negotiating for less pro-active resolution text, diplomats said.

A FEW 'NO' VOTES, ABSTENTIONS SEEN

But "no" votes looked likely only from U.S. adversaries Venezuela, Syria and Cuba while it was possible India, South Africa and Indonesia would abstain to signal they did not want their right to nuclear technology potentially restricted.

Iran, whose president has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," says it wants nuclear energy for electricity, not bombs as the West suspects, and the bid to report it to the Security Council has no legal basis.

But Iran hid nuclear activities from the IAEA for 18 years until 2003. In September, the IAEA declared Iran non-compliant with commitments as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but put off referring Tehran to the Security Council.

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said the special meeting was to prod Iran to resolve years of suspicion about its nuclear goals before he makes a sweeping report to the next regular session of the Vienna-based board on March 6.
Page: 12



Ben Bernanke sworn in as 14th Fed chairman
Saddam stands for trial
US, Mexican police find largest ever border drug tunnel
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

China's oil consumption, imports decreased in 2005

 

   
 

Pentagon seeks to curb China's military might

 

   
 

Gas blast in Shanxi mine kills at least 23

 

   
 

Villagers test negative for H5N1 virus

 

   
 

Yao edges Kobe as top All-Star votegetter

 

   
 

Post-festival rush jams railway stations

 

   
  Iran threatens full-scale enrichment work
   
  Negroponte: Al-Qaida biggest terror threat
   
  Muslim anger unabated over prophet cartoons
   
  Atom agency seen reporting Iran to Security Council
   
  US lawmakers push bill to cut aid to Palestinians
   
  US denies economic threat from India, China
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement