WORLD / Asia-Pacific |
Six states meet over possible Iran sanctions(Xinhua)Updated: 2006-11-14 13:53 UNITED NATIONS -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States held another informal meeting Monday over possible UN sanctions on Iran for its failure to suspend nuclear enrichment activities. The meeting at France's UN mission in New York followed an earlier one last Thursday when envoys of the six countries reviewed proposed sanctions against Iran. "Since the last P5+1 last Thursday, we are in a phase when we seek to understand our partners' positions," France's UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said after the meeting. "We must find the right balance between our concerns. It is the only way to move forward, collectively and effectively." The French envoy reiterated a stance to continue dialogue to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, voicing certain optimism about Monday's talks. "Our goal remains the same: stopping dangerous activities, resuming negotiations," he said. "Today's meeting, we have made some progress in this direction." U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said Russia proposed changes at the meeting that "would cut back substantially from the scope" of the list of sanctions put forward by the Europeans. Bolton did not specify the details of the Russian amendments, only saying that experts on all sides would now have to review Moscow's proposals. Britain, France and Germany put forward in late October a draft resolution seeking nuclear and ballistic missile-related sanctions against the Islamic republic. The draft demands nations prevent the sale or supply of any equipment, technology or financing that would contribute to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs. The six nations have already held several informal meetings on the possible sanctions which are deemed as too tough by Russia. At Monday's meeting, the six countries agreed to resume their negotiations on Wednesday afternoon. |
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