Russia hopes Iran regains intl confidence in its nuclear programme

Moscow, Dec 29 (UNI) Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin today said Moscow is hopeful that Iran would take steps to restore international confidence in its nuclear programme.

''We hope the Iranian leadership will properly assess the situation and take concrete measures to implement Resolution 1737 in order to restore international trust in Iran's nuclear programme,'' Mr Churkin told RIA Novosti news agency.

He said Tehran failed to fulfill the demands of the previous Resolution 1696 to suspend uranium enrichment activities as a condition for negotiations on a package of proposals offered to Iran by Russia, China, Britain, France, the United States and Germany.

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on December 23 against Iran for refusing to suspend its uranium enrichment programme.

The resolution stipulated that all countries must stop supplying Iran with nuclear technology and materials that could enable Tehran to proceed with its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Iran continued its uranium enrichment programme saying it was peaceful and in line with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Mr Churkin said given such a response, the Security Council had no choice but to draft a new resolution and approve it.

''The resolution contains a special provision that all contracts signed by the time the resolution was adopted will remain in force and will be implemented,'' he said.

Mr Churkin said under the resolution, any cooperation with Iran not linked to prohibited activities could be implemented.

''This decision also leaves the door open to the resumption of talks with Iran if Tehran fulfills relevant demands,'' he aaded.

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