US says North Korea sanctions should help sway Iran

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) Tough UN sanctions on North Korea should help convince Iran to suspend its suspected nuclear weapons program, the US ambassador to the United Nations said today.

''I hope the lesson they learn is that if they continue to do nuclear weapons they will face the same kind of isolation and friction'' that North Korea now faces, Ambassador John Bolton told CNN's Late Edition.

Rather than face that isolation, Bolton said Iran has an opportunity to accept ''an unparalleled offer'' from five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany that provides for a range of incentives on trade, finance and peaceful nuclear energy development if Tehran abandons uranium enrichment.

World powers agreed earlier this month to discuss sanctions to punish Tehran for failing to halt uranium enrichment but said they are still open to negotiations. Iran says its nuclear program is to produce electricity but the West fears Tehran is intent on buildings bombs.

Iran has shrugged off the threat of sanctions. Analysts say the world's fourth largest oil exporter, which is enjoying an oil revenue windfall, may feel it can cope with the modest penalties likely to be imposed initially.

The UN Security Council yesterday voted unanimously to impose financial and weapons sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test in a resolution Pyongyang immediately rejected.

The US-drafted resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies.

The resolution also bars trade with North Korea in dangerous weapons and imposes bans on heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods and asks nations to freeze funds connected with North Korea's unconventional arms programs.

REUTERS LL BST2046