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UN Security Council powers meet on Iran atom crisis
 The United States and European Union were seeking Russian and Chinese support for robust diplomatic steps to curb Iran's nuclear program in talks among UN Security Council powers that began on Monday. Iran's resumption of research that could advance a quest for civilian atomic energy or bombs has sparked a flurry of Western diplomacy in pursuit of a vote by the UN nuclear watchdog to refer Iran to the Council for possible sanctions. Moscow, with a $1 billion stake building Iran's first atomic reactor, and Beijing, reliant on Iranian oil for its surging economy, have previously blocked such a move at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors. But Russia has warned Iran it could lose Moscow's support unless it suspended the fuel research it resumed last week. China, however, said resorting to the Security Council might "complicate the issue," citing Iran's threat to hit back by halting snap UN inspections of its atomic plants.Posted by: Fred 2006-01-17 |
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