Russia opposes ultimatum on Iran, major powers meet

LONDON, Oct 6 (Reuters) Russia said it agreed with China no ultimatum should be issued to Iran over its nuclear programme, underlining divisions as world powers met today to discuss US and British proposals for possible sanctions.

The United States, backed by Britain, has suggested it is time to consider a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions after four months of talks between the EU and Tehran failed to yield an Iranian promise to halt atomic work.

But Russia and China, two of the six powers, agreed it was ''absolutely unacceptable'' to threaten force against Iran and that talk of ultimatums was counter-productive, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev was quoted as saying.

Before going into today's ministerial-level meeting in London, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was ''not anticipating any major decisions'' from the talks between Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

''The principal thing we are hoping for is a much clearer picture. What we want today is a full clear report from (European Union foreign policy chief) Javier (Solana) ... so we can all take stock of where we stand,'' Beckett told reporters.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov entered the meeting without talking to reporters about the standoff with Iran.

Tehran says its nuclear programme is only for power generation but the West suspects it wants to make a nuclear bomb.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was running late for the meeting because of a mechanical problem with her military aircraft, and a US State Department official said ministers were unlikely to reach a decision today.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns took Rice's place at the meeting until her arrival.

Another US State Department official also lowered expectations for the meeting, predicting that at most Beckett, as the host, would be able to say afterwards the countries would all move towards sanctions.

''I expect a draft resolution (on sanctions) will be circulated (at the UN) in the next week,'' said the official.

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