Russia and China warn UN not to antagonise Iran
Russia and China on Thursday warned against escalating the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. The call came on the eve of an eagerly awaited report on whether the country has met United Nations demands.The US and the European Union believe Friday’s report by Mohamed El Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, will set the stage for a UN Security Council resolution, since there is little chance that Tehran will meet the council’s demand for “full and sustained suspension” of uranium enrichment, which can produce weapons-grade material.
But on Thursday Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, warned against too great an intervention by the Security Council – a path Moscow feels could lead to confrontation.
“We think that the IAEA must continue to play a key role and it must not shrug off its responsibilities to resolve such questions and shift them on to the UN Security Council,” he said at a summit with Angela Merkel, German chancellor.
European officials argue that, far from sidelining the IAEA, any action by the council would seek to bolster its authority.
The Chinese government also called for restraint. Moscow and Beijing, which have growing energy and economic links with Iran, fear that a UN resolution might be used to justify military action at a later stage.
I hear there are some excellent empty buildings near Toulouse, which would be perfect for the UN.
3 comments:
Iran is getting a free pass from the Security Council and the United Nations thanks to China and Russia.
Has this Institution ceased to have relevancy?
Sudan on the human rights commission?
Thanks for the continued coverage on Russia and China's backing of Iran.
We've shown the SOBs of the world that as long as they lie about their intensions we won't call them on it. We did this with Arafat but we redeemed ourselves by acting against Saddam. But now the administration, by its silence has all but abandoned the need to be pre-emptive with those who maintain a hostile posture. This has emboldened Iran as they think our domestic opposition has effectively stopped any possible pre-emptive response as long Iran lies like Arafat and says “who me?”
But I still believe Bush might surprise us and surprise Ahmadinejad. Bush surprised Saddam, who believed the France and Russia would use the UN to keep us from acting. Let's hope.
Russia is very likely returning to Communism. And if that's how it's going to be, then I think that's why diplomatic ties with Vladimir Putin and his gang may have to be severed. The chances of their renewing hostilities with the West seem to be very high now.
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