New UN Iran resolution unhelpful-Russia

MOSCOW, Oct 26 (Reuters) A new UN draft resolution to solve the standoff with Iran on its nuclear ambitions does not meet the objectives of states negotiating with Tehran, Russia's foreign minister was quoted as saying today.

Sergei Lavrov, quoted by Interfax news agency, said the six countries in the talks were aiming to ''eliminate the risks of sensitive technology falling into Iran's hands while the IAEA settles issues of interest to it, and to maintain vital channels of communication with Iran''.

''And it seems to me that in this respect the proposed draft resolution clearly does not meet the tasks earlier agreed by the six,'' Lavrov was quoted as saying in Russia's far north.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have spearheaded international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear programme.

European states have submitted the UN Security Council draft to Russia and China and diplomats from all six nations planned a meeting today afternoon.

US officials say Washington wants to ensure that Russia's construction of a nuclear power station in Iran does not include a complete fuel cycle capable of use in weapons.

Russia is building a reactor at Bushehr in Iran, which says the facility is intended solely for producing electricity.

Moscow has discounted any suggestion that the plant could help Tehran produce nuclear bombs.

The European-drafted resolution would ban most nuclear and missile cooperation with Iran. Assistance to Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency would be limited to ''medical or humanitarian purposes'', according to the draft.

REUTERS DKB DS1433