Diplomatic path can succeed with Iran - Rice

OTTAWA, Feb 24 (Reuters) Diplomatic efforts to try to persuade Iran to stop work on its nuclear program can work if the international community remains united in its dealings with Tehran, U S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said.

Iran ignored a demand by the United Nations Security Council to halt uranium enrichment by February 21. Last December, the world body imposed sanctions barring the transfer of nuclear technology and know-how to Iran.

''We've been very clear that we're on a diplomatic path, that we believe the diplomatic path can succeed if the international community stays unified in confronting Iran with the consequences of its continued defiance of the international community,'' Rice told a news conference in Ottawa yesterday.

Officials from the Security Council plus Germany will meet in London next week to examine the chances of drafting a resolution that could impose more restrictions on Tehran.

''We would expect to continue to pursue our Security Council track as well as to pursue a track that would hopefully lead to negotiations,'' said Rice, who was in Ottawa for talks with her Canadian and Mexican counterparts.

Russia has questioned the usefulness of additional U N sanctions against Iran, saying the goal was to reach a political solution to deal with Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

''I believe that everybody understands the importance of continuing to show the Iranians that there is a both a Security Council track if they will not adhere to international standards, and a negotiated track if they will,'' Rice said.

''I expect on that we're all on the same page.'' REUTERS PDS RN0442