Russia Pushes Iran To Stop Enrichment

Moscow Tells Ally To "Very Carefully" Consider Incentives; Iran Calls Sanctions "Worthless"

(AP)  Russia had some advice for its neighbor and good friend Iran: Study the incentives the world's key powers are offering - including improved relations with the United States - and suspend uranium enrichment as the U.N. Security Council is demanding.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said there is a broader consensus among the world's powers on how to deal with Iran and a new reality on the ground that will hopefully create the right conditions for Tehran to halt enrichment and start negotiations on its nuclear program.

But in Tehran, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini on Tuesday called the council's resolution imposing a third round of sanctions "worthless" and politically motivated, and said Iran would move ahead with its uranium enrichment program, according to the official news agency IRNA.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at U.N. headquarters, Churkin highlighted the unity of the six countries that have been in the forefront of efforts to ensure that Iran's nuclear intentions are peaceful and not aimed at producing atomic bombs.

Foreign ministers of the six countries - the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - issued a joint statement after Monday's council vote reaffirming their dual-track approach: They would improve a package of economic incentives and political rewards offered in June 2006 if Iran suspends enrichment, but would push for even more sanctions if Tehran continued its defiance.

"We hope (it) is being very carefully read in Tehran because it does indicate some very important motives ... and intentions of the six in working with Iran," Churkin said, adding that the entire 15-member Security Council had "rallied" around the statement.

The incentives package is going to be improved, he said, "to provide benefits to Iran and the region in political, economic and security fields."

Churkin also pointed to the ministers' "very respectful way" of dealing with Iran, and their call for "further diplomatic efforts and innovative approaches" to create the conditions to open negotiations - which he said he hoped would succeed.

As a first step, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana was asked to meet Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, "to address the interests and concerns of both sides in a manner which can gradually create the conditions for the opening of negotiations."

The ministers reiterated Iran's right as a member of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to develop, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes - and they said once the international community's confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program is confirmed, the country would be treated just like any other non-nuclear weapon state.

Churkin said the ministers had spoken "approvingly of the cooperation which Iran has had lately" with the International Atomic Energy Agency. He expressed hope that the ministers' statement - once studied by the Iranians - would provide "an incentive to give a more positive response to the requirements of the international community which would allow the negotiations to start, and eventually for the Iranian nuclear issue to be resolved."

Churkin said Iran "does not have to worry about any supplies of enriched uranium" for years, now that Russia has provided the fuel for the Bushehr nuclear power plant it helped Iran build.

"That new reality on the ground should provide another incentive, another opportunity for Iran to be more accommodating to the requirement of enrichment suspension," he said.

Churkin also cited an example of the "very important changes in mood" on the Iran issue - the U.S. shift from objecting to Russian participation in Bushehr to supporting the reactor project, which he called "an indication of the goodwill of the international community."

"It was something which hopefully might create - and we hope should create and has created - a better background for Iran to consider suspension to allow the negotiations to start," Churkin said.

When Iran previously suspended enrichment for two years, it was only negotiating with Britain, France and Germany, Churkin noted, but now the U.S., Russia and China have joined the effort.

"Greater opportunities are there for Iran if it responds positively to the offers by the six," including overcoming its problems with the U.S., he said.

With Russia now participating - "and Russia is a good neighbor and a good friend of Iran," Churkin said, "it can play its positive role in the course and the outcome of the process."

"We hope ... that Iran is going to consider the opportunity very carefully," he said.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Monday the ministerial statement shows the commitment of the six countries to a diplomatic solution.

He reiterated President Bush's statement that, if Iran suspends enrichment and reprocessing activities, "it will have no better partner than the United States of America."

[lewiston14]

Thank you TBweb: What im still so surprised is that Iran is not listening. They have to be crazy if they think any major power can not take their atomic abilities away in an hour. To have a nuke with a 15 minute warning for places like Russia or China is just crazy. Russia would flatten them in minutes. Russia now has a nice setup with a new president and I don%u2019t think they want anybody to interfere with that. China is happy as a clam doing what they do and also does not want a nuke mad country getting in the way. Russia helps them build a reactor but also offered to supply fuel for it to ease international tension. An electrical power plant is a noble cause that will benefit many in Iran a secretive program without the worlds checks and balances involved will get them nothing more then a few real big blown up holes in the dirt. Im afraid if this keeps up that is what they are going to have. I wonder how many cruise missile submarines are stationed in the area. They wont even know after its all over.

[tbweb]

Beehive: I was not kidding. That was a very big and bold statement for Russia to make in public.

Posted by lewiston14 at 01:41 PM : Mar 06, 2008,,,

Iran is the *wildcard* on the international stage. Almost every nation, no matter how independent or powerful eventually listens to its closest allies, listens to the voices of reason, but not Iran! Iran listens to no one and thats the main problem with Iran. The other problem for Iran is if Moscow comes to the same conclusion, that Iran will never listen, never respond to constructive advice, in which case Moscow will cut Iran loose, the relationship between Iran and Russia is not set in stone, especially since Russia doesn''t need Irans money or headaches!

[lewiston14]

"if at war the pres stays"

Are we in a state of war or something else?
I really dont know at this point.

[lewiston14]

Beehive: I was not kidding. That was a very big and bold statement for Russia to make in public. Maybe Russia is getting a little tired and worried over the situation after all Iran is In their back yard while we will remain out of striking distance for years. Iran is to unstable to be trusted with these things.

[beehive21-2009]

The Iranian dic, should listen to the Ruskies,time is running short.As is Bushies and he needs a reason to declare himself, king.Remember ,if at war the pres stays pres and the bushes ( oilco )have been around 30 years and can''t give it up, so what better way than to start knocking around iran,= staying in power.

[zootallures2]

Iran should work on a big concrete dome to go over the Jew''s great wall to keep them from getting out. Russia and the US? I dunno? Maybe we can seak a good strong cage around them at night while they are dreaming of bannanas?

[damnedrelign]

To Lewiston:

You mean well regarding giving it a chance, and theoretically, you are partly correct. However, due to constant deception by Iran, each AND EVERY TIME we give this or that idea or proposal another chance, these warped hate-filled Iranian leaders - whose RELIGIOUS, ''GOD-TEACHING'' MENTALITY JUSTIFIES DECEIT - abuse that time period, as they advance further and further toward producing nuclear weapons !!! They continue to do so incessantly.

Given the SWORN ISLAMIC DUTY to either convert, subjugate, or murder non-Moslems, that does not exactly afford us to feel comforted with nuclear and other WMDs in the hands of such dangerous, RELIGIOUSLY WARPED MINDS!

In addition, just realize the ideology being spread and imposed on all lands and people that RELIGIO-FASCIST IRAN(Iran in particular), brings into its grip!

CONCLUSION:
If the Western world does not ELIMINATE Iran''s nuclear capability, we can expect that long-feared doomsday scenario. Make no mistake about this. Iranian Islamofascism is the greatest threat that mankind''s CONTINUING EXISTENCE ever faced. With nuclear weapons, IRAN ASSURES US HELL ON EARTH !!!

[leftyintexas]

It''''s time for all you liberal dems to open your eyes.
Posted by guyfrompa45 at 04:00 PM : Mar 05, 2008

It''s time for you rightwing morons to blow it out the other end. Only 321 days left! Enjoy!

[leftyintexas]

Notice how intellectual the Democrats sound as they call everyone names and proport their superiority over anyone else''''s opinion. And yet the DNC would never tell you that polls show the evil and hate Democrats have for Bush has not translated in votes and more people trust McCain''''s Honesty than Hillary. Most of the primaries have been along party lines. "Only 321 days left" for a new Republican in the White House.
posted by demslie at 02:27 PM : Mar 05, 2008

Thank you for the compliment. I guess I do sound intellectual to a moron. More people trust anybody''s honesty before they trust bush or his fellow morons like you. Only 321 days left! Enjoy!

[demslie]

Your first mistake was: ''''I thought''''. Your second mistake was believing that the only people mad at bush were just the people you mentioned. Your last mistake was thinking we care what YOU think. Only 321 days left! Enjoy! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Posted by leftyintexas

Notice how intellectual the Democrats sound as they call everyone names and proport their superiority over anyone else''s opinion. And yet the DNC would never tell you that polls show the evil and hate Democrats have for Bush has not translated in votes and more people trust McCain''s Honesty than Hillary. Most of the primaries have been along party lines. "Only 321 days left" for a new Republican in the White House.

[demslie]

If you read the posts, the Democrat reactions are not about stopping IRAN from building Atomic Bombs to Nuke our civilization back to the Stone Age. The posts are about why we should hate George Bush because he is the bad person here. The Democrats will always find a way to support their terrorist friends in IRAN and AL Qaeda. And this is the new %u201CChange for America%u201D that Saddam Hussein OBAMA, Hitlery and Democraps have promised us.

[lewiston14]

Why not give Russia''s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin ideas and words a chance. That was a very bold step by Russia to say that. They know how out of control this could get. China usually follows along. A Peaceful electrical plant with fuel supplied by Russia or even The US is a good thing for everyone. Just have to let the inspectors check it out every once and awhile. When Russia and the US decided to shrink their arsenals they checked each other out in one form of another and it worked. Maybe for once everybody knows that removing Iran%u2019s atomic abilities is not that hard to do and would only take a day, a very bad day. So I agree with Russia on this one. Think of all the options before continuing.

[leftyintexas]

I thought the Democrats told us that IRAN was not doing this and it was all a George Bush Plot to start a war. When Bush said IRAN was building a bomb and we need to stop them, The only people in the World who were mad at Bush was IRAN, Al Qaeda And Democrats.
posted by demslie at 11:15 AM : Mar 05, 2008

Your first mistake was: ''I thought''. Your second mistake was believing that the only people mad at bush were just the people you mentioned. Your last mistake was thinking we care what YOU think. Only 321 days left! Enjoy! Ha! Ha! Ha!

[quetzal0666]

demslie ....
Deal a more Balanced hadn in the middle east concerning ishrealies and no one need have
a need for nukes....

[beehive21-2009]

Russia has nothing to gain and everything to lose ,if they keep out of the mess, iran has been digging,so let em help, no other country has close ties with iran.

[demslie]

I thought the Democrats told us that IRAN was not doing this and it was all a George Bush Plot to start a war. When Bush said IRAN was building a bomb and we need to stop them, The only people in the World who were mad at Bush was IRAN, Al Qaeda And Democrats.

[gkc99]

"Don''''t fall fot the Russia and China lies, their the ones helping Iran to get nuke power up and running and ENRICH the process. THEIR JUST DECEIVING THE WORLD INTO THINKING THEIR THE GOOD GUYS. LIES, LIES. DO WE FALL FOR IT. NOT"--Posted by chad55555


The recycled cold warriors would like nothing more than to resurrect conflict with the Russians--it was so profitable for the military-industrial complex, and the Righties could get whatever they wanted in government by suggesing Commies in the closet.

Who would a nuclear armed Iran threaten more--the U.S., on the other side of the world, or Russia, just across the border. The Islamofascists would love to drive Russia north out of the Caspian region.

So beware of Neoconscum shills trying to drum up cold war with the Russians again.

[chad55555]

Don''t fall fot the Russia and China lies, their the ones helping Iran to get nuke power up and running and ENRICH the process. THEIR JUST DECEIVING THE WORLD INTO THINKING THEIR THE GOOD GUYS. LIES, LIES. DO WE FALL FOR IT. NOT.

[antoniof123]

He reiterated President Bush''s statement that, if Iran suspends enrichment and reprocessing activities, "it will have no better partner than the United States of America."

Can anyone get this guy to shut up everything time he opens his mouth the opposite happens.