Russia opposes punitive UN Council action on Iran

By Evelyn Leopold and Irwin Arieff

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov said on Wednesday that imposing U.N. Security Council
sanctions on Iran would be ineffective in convincing Tehran to
curb its nuclear ambitions.

Sergei Lavrov also told reporters after meeting U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan that he opposed military action
and questioned any measures the West might propose in the
Security Council, saying the Vienna-based International Atomic
Energy Agency had to remain in the lead.

“We should all strive for a solution which would not
endanger the ability of the IAEA to continue its work in Iran,
while of course making sure that there is no danger for the
nonproliferation regime,” Lavrov said.

Asked about sanctions, Lavrov said, “I don’t think
sanctions as a means to solve a crisis have ever achieved a
goal in the recent history.”

Lavrov said the situation reminded him of years of imposing
sanctions on Iraq and the subsequent U.S.-led invasion.

“It looks so deja vu, you know,” said Lavrov, once a star
in the Security Council as Russia’s U.N. ambassador from 1994
to 2004. “I have been answering these questions regarding Iraq
and I don’t believe we should engage in something which might
become self-fulfilling prophesy.”

Lavrov was also asked about a statement from U.S. Vice
President Dick Cheney, who said that the “international
community is prepared to impose meaningful consequences” if
Iraq did not comply.

“We are convinced that there is no military solution to
this crisis,” Lavrov said, adding that this was the view of the
British and German governments also.

FIVE POWERS TO MEET

At the same time, diplomats said the five veto-wielding
powers on the Security Council — Russia, China, Britain,
France and the United States — would meet later on Wednesday
to discuss a statement that the three Western powers were
preparing for possible adoption next week.

The statement would ask for a report in 30 days on whether
Iran had cooperated with IAEA inspectors and suspended its
nuclear activities, the envoys said.

The next step is the difficult one. Normally a tougher
resolution would follow demanding Iran comply and hinting at
consequences. But the West has not gotten Russia or China’s
agreement on any kind of punitive action.

The United States and the Europeans want to ratchet up
pressure slowly, set timetables, deadlines and then consider
such measures, ranging from a travel ban on Iranian officials
to sanctions on selling Iran oil equipment.

A resolution needs a minimum of nine votes in the Security
Council and no veto. A policy statement, which carries less
weight, requires the approval of all 15 member nations.

A report by IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei, being sent to
the Security Council, will form the basis for any U.N. action.
The IAEA’s governing board, which includes all five Security
Council powers, decided a month ago to send Iran’s nuclear
dossier to the council.

Despite the slim chance any sanctions will be imposed, Iran
has fought any referral to the Security Council, which would
give it a pariah status and could lead to tougher action.

The United States believes Iran, which insists its nuclear
program is for energy uses only, is a cover for learning how to
make a bomb. A three-year IAEA investigation has not found a
smoking gun but the agency also could not determine whether the
nuclear program was for peaceful purposes only.