<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/24/world/24nations.html> December 24, 2006 U.N. Security Council Passes Iran Sanctions By ELISSA GOOTMAN
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 23 — The Security Council on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution intended to curb Iran's nuclear program, capping four months of negotiations over how severe and sweeping the sanctions should be.
The resolution, drafted by Germany and the Security Council's five permanent members, the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China, bans the import and export of materials and technology used in uranium enrichment, reprocessing and ballistic missiles.
Alejandro D. Wolff, the acting American ambassador, hailed the resolution as an "unambiguous message that there are serious repercussions" for Iran's pursuit of its nuclear ambitions. He added, however, that the resolution was "only a first step," saying, "If necessary, we will not hesitate to return to this body for further action if Iran fails to take steps to comply."
The resolution has been in the works since Iran flouted the Security Council's call for a "full and sustained suspension" of nuclear activities by Aug. 31. It is weaker than proposals in earlier drafts, which started circulating in October, after repeated changes intended to placate Russia, which has strong economic ties with Iran. Throughout the process, Russia's objections were often seconded by China.
Uranium enrichment is the first step in making fuel that can be used for nuclear power plants, or for nuclear weapons. Tehran has maintained that it has the right to pursue its nuclear program, which it says is aimed at generating electricity.
The measure would freeze the assets of 12 Iranians and 11 companies that are said to be involved in nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It also would give a new committee the authority to amend the list in the future.
The final version of the text, however, qualifies the asset freeze in some respects, for example by giving countries more latitude to unfreeze certain assets than previous drafts would have allowed.
In an effort to maintain their sometimes fragile coalition, the Americans and Europeans also agreed to eliminate a mandatory travel ban on those people said to be involved in nuclear activities. While older drafts had mandated that all states "prevent entry" of such people, the final version of the resolution simply "calls upon" states to "exercise vigilance" over who crosses their borders.
In another nod to Russia's concerns, the resolution was amended to exclude any sanctions against a nuclear power plant that Russia is building at Bushehr, in southern Iran.
The Security Council was initially expected to approve the resolution on Friday, but as recently as Friday morning, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly I. Churkin, voiced concerns that the text continued to threaten legitimate business deals.
Mr. Churkin maintained that the resolution was intended to prod Iran to negotiate, not punish it. Several small 11th-hour revisions, however, allayed Moscow's concerns.
For years, some officials within the American government have pressed for the Security Council to adopt sanctions to halt Tehran's nuclear pursuits.
In June, the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany offered Iran a package of economic and political incentives to halt its nuclear program. The offer was rejected, setting the stage for the Aug. 31 deadline and, ultimately, the sanctions resolution.
<http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTYO50khflW8&refer=home> UN Imposes First Sanctions on Iran's Nuclear Program (Update3) By Bill Varner
Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations Security Council voted 15 to 0 to impose sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program for the first time, including a ban on acquisition of materials and technology that might be used to build an atomic bomb.
The measure demands that Iran halt uranium enrichment and heavy-water projects that the U.S. and its European allies have said may lead to the development of nuclear weapons. It freezes the financial assets of 12 named individuals and 11 groups such as the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
The resolution also requires the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to report on Iran's compliance within 60 days. ``Further appropriate measures'' such as economic penalties and severance of diplomatic relations will be required if Iran doesn't comply, it says.
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