Response to Iran's N-test should be proportionate: Russia

Moscow, Oct 18 (UNI) Russia today said the international response to the Iranian nuclear issue should be proportionate based on reports by the UN nuclear watchdog -- the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

''It is necessary to influence Iran, but actions must be commensurate with what is really happening there. And what is happening is clear from reports by the IAEA, which mentions no threats to peace and security, but insists on a compromise through talks,'' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told mediapersons in the aftermath of the UN sanctions imposed on North Korea, following its first underground nuclear tests.

Mr Lavrov was referring to the media reports to the effect that Britain, France and Germany were planning to bring a draft UN Security Council resolution on sanctions against Iran this week.

However, the draft resolution is expected to exclude Russia's project to build Iranian Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Major powers suspect that Iran's uranium enrichment activities may be part of a nuclear weapons programme.

Earlier this year, the Iran-6, including the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany, offered Tehran a package of incentives to encourage it to suspend its nuclear activities.

However, Iran rejected the package saying it would not reimpose moratorium on its uranium enrichment programme.

US and Britain renewed their calls earlier this month, for international sanctions against Iran after talks between top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana failed to make any breakthrough.

UNI XC SK GC1841