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China questions UN Iran sanctions

Other News Materials 5 December 2007 07:26 (UTC +04:00)

Mr Wang was asked if the report made more sanctions less likely. China's ambassador to the UN says a new US intelligence report on Iran's nuclear programme raises questions about the need for new sanctions.

The ambassador, Wang Guangya , said the UN Security Council would have to consider the new information because "now things have changed". A US intelligence report released on Monday said Iran halted a nuclear weapons programme in 2003. The US and its European allies are still pushing for sanctions on Iran. Mr Wang was asked whether the new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran made the prospect of a third round of UN sanctions against Iran less likely. "I think the council members will have to consider that, because I think we all start from the presumption that now things have changed," he said.

He said diplomats would have to think about the implications of the report for Security Council action.

China has reluctantly supported two rounds of UN sanctions against Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium. The assent of China - and Russia - is crucial if the UN is to pass a third round of sanctions. Both countries wield a veto over Security Council decisions. The text of a draft resolution could be circulated by the end of the week, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN. The French and British foreign ministers have said pressure should be maintained on Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium - a process which can have both civilian and military purposes// BBC NEWS

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