Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Rejects Plan Floated by United Nations Security Council

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks during a press conference in Kuwait on Saturday, May 20, 2006. Mottaki rejected on Saturday the latest idea being floated to resolve his country’s standoff with the international community saying that Tehran would not give up uranium enrichment even if its file is withdrawn from the U.N. Security Council.

ASSociated Press: Iran Rejects Plan Floated by Sec. Council

World powers are considering dropping U.N. Security Council discussion of Iran’s nuclear program if Tehran agrees to suspend uranium enrichment, but could push for sanctions backed by the threat of force if the Islamic state refuses, diplomats said Saturday.

Later Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister rejected that possible approach to resolving its standoff with the international community, saying that Tehran would not give up uranium enrichment.

Manouchehr Mottaki, speaking in Kuwait, told journalists that Iran supports halting talks in the council, but “suspending nuclear activities goes against our legitimate rights and is not part of the NPT (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty).”

The draft proposal on Iran is being considered by the five Security Council nations plus Germany and could still undergo revision before the six powers sit down Wednesday to approve it, said one of the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal elements of the draft.

As it stands now, the proposal says the international community will “agree to suspend discussion of Iran’s file at the Security Council,” if Tehran resumes talks on its nuclear program, suspends enrichment during such talks and lifts a ban on intrusive inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

It also offers help in “the building of new light-water reactors in Iran,” offers an assured supply of nuclear fuel for up to five years, and asks Tehran to accept a plan that would move its enrichment program to Russia.

If Iran does not cooperate, the draft calls for banning travel visas; freezing assets; banning financial transactions of key government figures and those involved in Iran’s nuclear program; an arms embargo, and other measures including an embargo on shipping refined oil products to Iran. While Iran is a major exporter of crude it has a shortage of gasoline and other oil derivatives.

“Where appropriate, these measures would be adopted under Chapter VII, Article 41 of the U.N. Charter,” says the draft, referring to provisions that add the implicit threat of military force to a Security Council resolution.

But, Iran does NOT want to dance. Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs have been quite CLEAR – they want to enrich their own uranium – and why?

FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS MANUFACTURE.

Negotiations now are becoming LUDICROUS.

Stay tuned…….