Iran Partially Suspends U.N. Cooperation

bahador_romeo · 25-03-07, 15:09

Iran partially suspends U.N. cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki gestures while speaking to the Security Council Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the United Nations headquarters. The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted Saturday to impose new sanctions against Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium, a move intended to show Tehran that defiance will leave it increasingly isolated. Mottaki made the trip instead of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who claimed he canceled his appearance because the U.S. failed to deliver his visa in time. The U.S. said it had issued the visa promptly.

Iran on Sunday announced it was partially suspending cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, the Vienna-based IAEA, because of the latest U.N. Security sanctions imposed on it, a government spokesman said.

Gholam Hossein Elham, the spokesman, told state television that the suspension would "continue until Iran's nuclear case is referred back to the IAEA from the U.N Security Council."

Elham said the government in a Cabinet meeting Sunday decided to suspend "code 1-3 of minor arrangements of the safeguards" with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The provision expects a member to inform the IAEA on any new steps and decisions made concerning a country's nuclear program.

The move from Tehran was a gesture in apparent retaliation for the sanctions unanimously approved Saturday by the U.N. Security Council because of Tehran's refusal to stop enriching uranium.

The sanctions, which send a strong message to Tehran that its defiance will leave it increasingly isolated and warn of even tougher penalties ahead, were immediately rejected by Iran which said it had no intention of suspending its enrichment program.

Tehran claims it needs the uranium enrichment for electricity generating purposes while the United States and its allies fear the controversial program is used for nuclear arms making.

Elham, the government spokesman, said that until now Iran's cooperation with the IAEA went beyond the requirements under the international Non-Proliferation Treaty, which Iran is a signatory to.

In the past Iran has kept "promptly informing" the IAEA under the organization's safeguards about its nuclear plans, Elham said, while treaty requires a country to give a wide, six-month advance notice. In 2002, Iran began voluntarily implementing the IAEA safeguards.

Iran's measure is a response to "Saturday night's illegal and bullying resolution by Security Council," Elham said.

The government was acting fully within Iranian law in deciding to revise its cooperation with the IAEA.

The new, moderately tougher sanctions on Tehran include banning Iranian arms exports, and freezing the assets of 28 people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs. About a third of those are linked to the Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps that answers to Tehran leadership.

They also ask countries to restrict travel by the individuals subject to sanctions, as well as arms sales to Iran and new financial assistance or loans to the Iranian government.

The new measures have also asked IAEA to report back in 60 days on whether Iran has suspended enrichment and warned of further measures if it did not.

But it also said all sanctions would be suspended if Iran halts enrichment and made clear that Tehran can still accept a package of economic incentives and political rewards offered last year if it complies with the council's demands.

25-03-07, 15:09	#1 (permalink)
bahador_romeo Forum Legend Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,844 Credits: 25,567 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Iran Partially Suspends U.N. Cooperation Iran partially suspends U.N. cooperation Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki gestures while speaking to the Security Council Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the United Nations headquarters. The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted Saturday to impose new sanctions against Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium, a move intended to show Tehran that defiance will leave it increasingly isolated. Mottaki made the trip instead of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who claimed he canceled his appearance because the U.S. failed to deliver his visa in time. The U.S. said it had issued the visa promptly. Iran on Sunday announced it was partially suspending cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, the Vienna-based IAEA, because of the latest U.N. Security sanctions imposed on it, a government spokesman said. Gholam Hossein Elham, the spokesman, told state television that the suspension would "continue until Iran's nuclear case is referred back to the IAEA from the U.N Security Council." Elham said the government in a Cabinet meeting Sunday decided to suspend "code 1-3 of minor arrangements of the safeguards" with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The provision expects a member to inform the IAEA on any new steps and decisions made concerning a country's nuclear program. The move from Tehran was a gesture in apparent retaliation for the sanctions unanimously approved Saturday by the U.N. Security Council because of Tehran's refusal to stop enriching uranium. The sanctions, which send a strong message to Tehran that its defiance will leave it increasingly isolated and warn of even tougher penalties ahead, were immediately rejected by Iran which said it had no intention of suspending its enrichment program. Tehran claims it needs the uranium enrichment for electricity generating purposes while the United States and its allies fear the controversial program is used for nuclear arms making. Elham, the government spokesman, said that until now Iran's cooperation with the IAEA went beyond the requirements under the international Non-Proliferation Treaty, which Iran is a signatory to. In the past Iran has kept "promptly informing" the IAEA under the organization's safeguards about its nuclear plans, Elham said, while treaty requires a country to give a wide, six-month advance notice. In 2002, Iran began voluntarily implementing the IAEA safeguards. Iran's measure is a response to "Saturday night's illegal and bullying resolution by Security Council," Elham said. The government was acting fully within Iranian law in deciding to revise its cooperation with the IAEA. The new, moderately tougher sanctions on Tehran include banning Iranian arms exports, and freezing the assets of 28 people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs. About a third of those are linked to the Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps that answers to Tehran leadership. They also ask countries to restrict travel by the individuals subject to sanctions, as well as arms sales to Iran and new financial assistance or loans to the Iranian government. The new measures have also asked IAEA to report back in 60 days on whether Iran has suspended enrichment and warned of further measures if it did not. But it also said all sanctions would be suspended if Iran halts enrichment and made clear that Tehran can still accept a package of economic incentives and political rewards offered last year if it complies with the council's demands.

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