'New draft on Iran nuke issue meets requirement'

Moscow, Dec 19: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov todayexpressed the hope that UN Security Council will adopt the new draftresolution on Iran, which took into account most of Russia'ssuggestions.

''The new draft resolution, which has been drawn up by theEuropean troika (Britain, France and Germany) and is now being debatedwithin the UN Security Council, takes most of our approaches intoconsideration,'' Mr Lavrov told Interfax news agency.

''The draft resolution focuses on spheres of nuclear activitiesthat provoke concern in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).I mean uranium enrichment, chemical reprocessing and heavy waterprogrammes, as well as restrictions on the export of goods andtechnologies to Iran that are related to the creation of means ofnuclear weapons delivery,'' he said.

''We hope that this foundation will allow the UN Security Councilto reach a consensus that would persuade the Iranians to sit down atthe negotiating table and would ensure vigorous and comprehensivecooperation with the IAEA on all remaining issues dealing with Iran'snuclear activities,'' the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Mr Lavrov discussed over telephone last night with USSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice certain amendments to the draftresolution on the Iranian nuclear programme, the Russian ForeignMinistry said in a statement.

''The sides discussed progress on a draft UN Security Councilresolution on Iran's nuclear programme and some aspects of Russian-USrelations,'' the statement said.

UNI

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