G8 to back new steps if Iran, Sudan ignore UN calls

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) The Group of Eight (G8) club of industrialised nations said today it would back ''further measures'' against Iran and Sudan if they continued to reject UN Security Council demands on both countries.

As expected, in a statement issued on the final day of a G8 summit the members said they regretted the fact that Tehran had ignored three UN Security Council resolutions calling for a temporary halt to all uranium enrichment activity.

''If Iran fails to fulfil its obligations then adoption of further measures will be supported,'' the statement said. The wording ''further measures'' is widely interpreted to mean more sanctions.

The UN has already imposed two rounds of sanctions on Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment, a process of purifying uranium for power plants or weapons.

''We once again urgently call on Iran to ... suspend its enrichment and (plutonium) reprocessing activities, including research and development,'' the G8 statement said.

Iran denies Western allegations that it is developing atomic weapons, saying it only wants to generate electricity.

In a separate statement on Sudan's Darfur region, the G8 said it would support ''further measures in the Security Council'' if the Sudanese government or rebels continue to ignore their obligations.

The United States and Britain have both threatened Sudan's government with tougher UN sanctions if Khartoum does not support international efforts to end the conflict in Darfur.

International experts estimate 200,000 people have been killed in Darfur, though Sudan puts the toll much lower at about 9,000. The conflict has also forced 2 million more to flee their homes since 2003.

The G8 members are the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia.

Reuters SLD GC1828