U.S., Russia Remain at Odds Over Iran Sanctions

U.N. Security Council diplomats met again yesterday to discuss a draft resolution on the Iranian nuclear crisis, but the prospect of reaching agreement before Christmas remained uncertain, Reuters reported (see GSN, Dec. 15).

Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said there was a 50 percent chance the five permanent council members and Germany would agree this week on a resolution to impose sanctions on Iran.  The move is under consideration because Iran has refused to comply with the council demand to freeze its uranium enrichment activities.

Russia and the United States have continued to disagree over two final sticking points:  a proposed ban on international travel for 12 Iranian officials and a proposed asset freeze on 11 Iranian agencies and firms, according to Reuters.

Russia opposes the travel ban outright and is not happy with the list of targets for the asset freeze.

“We have not agreed with the list, but we accept the premise and the concept of having some financial restrictions,” said Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

On the second issue, the “travel ban is a priority and an important element of this resolution and we will continue to push for it,” said acting U.S. Ambassador Alejandro Wolff.

Diplomats planned to circulate a new draft resolution today to all 15 council nations, Reuters reported.

“On Wednesday, we will see where we are,” said British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry (Reuters/New York Times, Dec. 19).

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