Talks on sanctions against Iran continue

Consultations among six major nations on the new Security Council draft resolution against Iran are still going on Tuesday with looming prospect of a text to be distributed soon.

Ambassadors from the six nations -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, huddled behind the closed door Tuesday at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss reactions from their capitals to a proposed package reached late Monday.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters after the meeting that "a number of members of the six have problems with the final package."

"There is more than one or two members of the six who have issues to be clarified," he said. "We still do not have the complete picture. (There are) some elements we need to be satisfied about before we accomplish the final package."

On the prospect of a vote by the end of the week, Churkin said it is "very unlikely", adding the text of the draft resolution may be ready Wednesday as long as some elements have been clarified. However, he refused to elaborate what areas need to be clarified.

Ambassadors from the six met Monday afternoon, and made "substantial progress" in accordance with British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry. They agreed to send the outcome of the discussion back to capitals and wait for instructions overnight.

Talks on the draft resolution have been going on for two weeks in New York. The six are considering new punitive measures against Iran, including an expanded travel ban on officials involved in the nuclear program, an arms embargo, and tightened economic and financial sanctions.

Some diplomats on condition of anonymity said that the elements initiated by the United States and Britain have been significantly watered down.

The mandatory travel ban has been dropped and instead restraint was added. Embargo on arms exports was agreed upon while arms imports would be permitted under necessary vigilance.

On Feb. 22, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report filed in Vienna to its 35-nation board of governors and the UN Security Council that "Iran has not suspended its enrichment-related activities."

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Dec. 23, 2006, asking Iran to suspend uranium enrichment in 60 days. However, Iran has failed to do so and claimed its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

Washington has accused Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program, a charge that Iran denies.