China, Russia, Central Asians: Iran talks a must
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-15 16:56
China, Russia and four central Asian states on Monday warned that attempts to
end the stand-off over Iran's nuclear programme other than through talks would
lead to unwanted results.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) groups the formerly
Soviet-controlled states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
with regional giants China and Russia.
"Iran is an independent country and we think this matter only can be solved
through negotiations," Tajik foreign minister Talbak Nazarov, who was speaking
on behalf of the SCO, told a press briefing in Shanghai.
"If other measures are used to solve the Iran nuclear issue, this will not
give the intended results," he said, without elaborating.
Founded in 2001 from a looser association set up in 1996, the group is seen
by some -- in Moscow at least -- as a balance to U.S. influence in the region.
Britain, France and Germany, backed by the United States, Russia and China,
are to unveil a package of inducements and penalties for Iran depending on
whether it cooperates or resists Western calls that it halt uranium enrichment.
Iran says its nuclear programme is merely for peaceful power generation.
The SCO's comments came as the United States dismissed calls on Sunday for
direct talks with Iran on the issue, saying the United Nations was the best
forum for those discussions.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the United States on Friday to enter
into direct talks with Tehran, as have others.
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