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Russia Wants Changes to UN Draft on Iran
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=121A435:3919ACA Russian news
agencies quote Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak as saying
resolution, prepared by Britain and France and backed by US, needs
'major alterations'





U.N. security council meeting (file photo)Russia says a United Nations
draft resolution ordering Iran to curb its controversial nuclear
program must be changed.

Russian news agencies quote Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak
Saturday as saying the resolution, prepared by Britain and France and
backed by the United States, needs "major alterations."

Russia and China objected Friday to language in a draft resolution
prepared by Britain and France, and backed by the United States,
invoking Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter, which can be used to
authorize sanctions and military force should Iran continue enriching
uranium.

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said the
Security Council draft resolution should have one goal - to ensure the
nuclear program is used for peaceful purposes only. He says the only
international agency that could provide that assurance is the
International Atomic Energy Agency.

Diplomats representing the three Western nations had hoped the
Security Council would adopt the resolution before foreign ministers
of six key nations trying to negotiate with Iran meet in New York
Monday.

Western nations suspect Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons
under the cover of its civilian atomic program. Tehran says its
nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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