Tehran must halt N-programme by Aug 31: UN

United Nations, Aug 1:Criticising Iran for failing to assure the world that it is not developing nuclear arms, the UN Security Council has demanded a suspension of the country's nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities, threatening sanctions for non-compliance.

The deadline for such compliance was set for August 31, but Tehran vowed to continue what it insists its ''peaceful'' nuclear programme.

Adopted yesterday by a vote of 14 to 1, the resolution was the Council's first action on the issue passed under Article 40 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows for enforcement measures.

Qatar, the Council's only Arab member, voted against the resolution.

Through the resolution the Council expressed the intention, in the event that Iran does not comply by the end of August, to ''undertake appropriate measures,'' under the sanctions clause, ''to persuade Iran to comply with this resolution,'' underlining, however, sanctions could not be applied without another Council decision.

In the meantime, however, the Council called on all states to prevent the transfer to Iran of materials and technology that could be used in enrichment, reprocessing or ballistic missile programmes.

The Council said Iran's compliance with this resolution would have to be confirmed by a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In March, the IAEA referred the issue to the Security Council, which issued a statement at that time calling for a similar suspension, saying that compliance would contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution to the stalemate.

After Iran failed to respond to that call by the required deadline, the Council took up the issue again in May, while the body's permanent members -- China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States -- along with Germany, were also pursuing a diplomatic solution, offering incentives to Iran for its compliance.

Through the resolution, the Council endorsed those efforts, seeking a ''long-term, comprehensive arrangement which would allow for the development of relations and cooperation with Iran based on mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programmes''. Iran says its activities are solely for energy purposes but the United States and other countries insist it is clandestinely seeking to produce nuclear weapons.

About a year ago, Tehran rescinded its voluntary suspension of nuclear fuel conversion, which can produce the enriched uranium necessary either for nuclear power generation or for nuclear weapons.

After Council vote yesterday, Iran's envoy to the United Nations Javad Zarif, again maintained the peaceful nature of his country's nuclear programme, saying ''it was not the first time that Iran's endeavours to stand on its own feet and make technological advances had faced the stiff resistance and concerted pressure of some powers permanently represented in the Council''.

While agreeing with the need to verify Iran's activities, Nassir bin Abdulaziz al-Nasser, Qatar's representative, explained that he voted against the resolution because he did not want to proceed when his region was ''inflamed''. In addition, he said a few more days could help identify Iran's real intentions, especially since it had not rejected the diplomatic initiatives, but had only asked for more time.

Emyr Jones Parry, Britain's envoy to the UN, addressed the council on the proposal.

He said, ''Our proposal suggests a procedure for reviewing the moratorium once international confidence in Iran's intentions has been restored. But the continuation of enrichment related and reprocessing activities, including R and D, would allow Iran to develop the know-how to produce fissile material suitable for use in nuclear weapons''.

John Bolton, America's envoy to the UN, said Iran has not been incompliance with IAEA's demands for the last three years.

Russia and China are unwilling to impose sanctions on Iran-a possibility discussed by Washington, London and Paris after the August 31 deadline.

UNI