China says in accord with Russia on Iran

BEIJING, Mar 21: China and Russia have common ideas on a resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said today ( Mar 21, 2006).

Moscow has offered to enrich uranium for Iran to guard against any diversion of fuel for bombs, but talks have stumbled on Tehran's insistence on doing some enrichment at home.

''China and Russia have common views on how to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue,'' spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news conference.

''Under current circumstances, Russia's proposal is a helpful way to break the impasse,'' he said. ''...We call on all parties concerned to step up their negotiations and demonstrate flexibility.

''Our objectives are to solve the issue in a peaceful way through negotiations,'' Qin added.

Moscow and Beijing have deflected Western moves to authorise UN Security Council threats against Iran and urged a diplomatic solution.

Both Russia and China are wary of action by the Security Council, which can impose sanctions, fearing threats might escalate and prompt Iran to cut all contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders who have signalled their frustration at a lack of progress in boosting Russian oil and gas imports.

But the two sides were also expected to discuss Iran's nuclear plans, which Washington and its allies say are tilted to eventually making atomic weapons.

REUTERS