Russia opposes UN sanctions against 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
Council.

Several hours after he spoke, the five permanent members of
the Security Council met to discuss a statement that Britain,
France and the United States are preparing for possible
adoption next week.

The statement was to have asked for a report from the IAEA
in 30 days on whether Iran had cooperated with U.N. nuclear and
suspended its atomic activities, diplomats said.

But one envoy, speaking on condition of anonymity, said
Britain now wanted a 14-day deadline while no immediate
decision had been reached among the five — the United States,
Russia, China, Britain and France.

Lavrov made clear that he wanted the IAEA rather than the
Security Council to take the lead on the Iranian issue.

“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.

“We must rely on the professional advice of the IAEA, the
watchdog of the nonproliferation regime,” he added.

“DEJA VU”

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.

He said he would not comment on Cheney’s remarks but he
added later, “We are convinced that there is no military
solution to this crisis.”

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.

If the council does adopt an initial statement the next
step is the difficult one. Normally a tougher resolution would
follow demanding Iran comply and hinting at consequences.

But the West does not have Russia or China’s agreement on
tough demands.

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.

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.