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Iran Expects Russian, Chinese Support in Nuclear Crisis
Iran has said that it was still counting on support from Russia and China over its disputed nuclear programme, and warned the referral of the issue back to the UN Security Council would derail any possible negotiations.

"If the case goes to the United Nations Security Council, regardless of the kind of resolution adopted, the negotiations will be derailed," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters Sunday. "The Security Council path is not constructive," he added. "We expect Russia and China to defend our legitimate stances. Defending the rights of the Islamic republic means backing up international treaties and the Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Asefi said Iran was also awaiting the outcome of a G8 summit in Russia, where the mounting nuclear crisis is set to be discussed. "We hope the G8 chooses the reasonable path. In this case, the Islamic republic is ready for any cooperation and negotiation," he said. Last week Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States decided to send Iran's case back to the Security Council after Tehran failed to respond to demands it freeze sensitive uranium enrichment work.
Posted by: Fred 2006-07-18
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=159852