Russia Floats Compromise Proposal to Handle Iran's Nuke at U.N

Japan Economic Newswire:

Russia has made a compromise proposal, seeking to simply "inform" the U.N. Security Council of Iran's nuclear issue instead of referring the issue to the council for possible sanctions, Security Council sources told Kyodo News on Wednesday. READ MORE

Russia tabled the proposal at a meeting on Monday in London with China, the United States and the so-called EU3 countries -- Britain, France and Germany -- to discuss Iran's resumption of nuclear research activities.

Russia is apparently trying to resolve Iran's nuclear issue through "dialogue and pressure" as it is concerned that a referral of the issue to the Security Council as demanded by the United States and the European nations could lead to a tougher Iranian response, according to the sources.

China has expressed support for the proposal, with Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya saying it is "a new creative way" to deal with the issue, according to the sources.

But the United States is likely to oppose the proposal, they said.

Under Russia's proposal, the Security Council would be briefed on Iran's nuclear issue, but the move would not lead to drafting a resolution to impose sanctions on Iran, the sources said.

The charter of the International Atomic Energy Agency says its Board of Governors can refer a member nation which has violated nuclear safeguard obligations to the Security Council to the council by reporting the violation.

But there is no provision under the charter allowing the board to "inform" the Security Council of a nation's violations.

Last Friday, Iran has reportedly said it would end all voluntary cooperation with the IAEA if it is referred to the Security Council.

The IAEA has been investigating whether Iran has violated its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by pursuing the development of nuclear weapons.

While Tehran has dismissed its resumption of nuclear fuel research work as being merely technology to generate electricity, the European Union, along with the United States, suspects Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons.

A vote on referring Iran to the Security Council is reportedly planned for an extraordinary IAEA meeting in early February.