Russia rejects new EU atomic draft on Iran: diplomat
Posted on: Thursday, 22 September 2005, 08:49 CDT
VIENNA (Reuters) - Russia has rejected a new EU draft resolution on Iran that drops the threat of an immediate report to the U.N. Security Council over fears Tehran is developing atomic weapons, an EU diplomat said on Thursday.
"The Russians don't like it. They say it's a move in the right direction but not far enough," the European Union diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity on the sidelines of a week-long IAEA board meeting.
He said the Russians objected to the fact that the new draft would make it difficult for the IAEA board not to report Iran to the Security Council, which can impose economic sanctions.
Of the 35 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board members, Russia, China and at least a dozen others oppose the EU and U.S. effort to haul Iran before the Security Council for breaching international nuclear obligations.
EU diplomats say Russia's support is crucial to achieving their aim of getting consensus on an IAEA resolution. The EU had removed the demand for an immediate Council report from the text in the hope getting the backing of Russia and other opponents.
Source: REUTERS
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