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Russia, China agree to refer Iran to UN
(bloomberg.com)
Updated: 2006-02-01 10:04
Russian Proposal
In an attempt to break the deadlock, Russia has offered to allow Iran to
enrich uranium in Russia. Iran, while not rejected the proposal request, is
insisting it has the ``right'' to carry out enrichment on its own soil as well.
Iran, site of the world's second-largest natural gas reserves, said Jan. 9 it
resumed nuclear fuel-cycle research. That triggered calls on Jan. 12 from
France, Germany, Britain and the U.S. to refer Iran's nuclear program to the UN.
The ministers in their joint statement ``called on Iran to restore the full
suspension of enrichment-related activity'' including research and development
``under the supervision of the IAEA.''
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressed for referral at the special
Feb. 2 IAEA meeting. A senior U.S. official said British Foreign Minister Jack
Straw mediated most of the dinner discussion, which often focused on technical
aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle.
A spokesman for U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said the statement showed a
united stand by the group, including Russia and China.
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