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China urges flexibility on Iran, downplays sanctions
China urged other powers on Tuesday to show more flexibility in dealing with Iran's disputed nuclear program, playing down prospects of sanctions after six countries met to discuss the standoff.
While Western powers have looked to further sanctions against Iran, Russia and now especially China have resisted such steps and called for more negotiations.
Envoys from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China met in New York at the weekend to discuss the standoff. The Chinese delegate at those talks reiterated Beijing's position that it does not back further sanctions against Iran for now.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reinforced that stance on Tuesday, avoiding even using the word “sanctions” in replying to reporters' questions about the meeting.
“Our consistent proposal has been to resolve the Iran nuclear issue appropriately through dialogue and consultation,” Ma told a regular news briefing.
“We hope all sides will enhance dialogue and cooperation, and show a more flexible and pragmatic approach,” he said.
Ma's comments underscored Beijing's reluctance to contemplate fresh sanctions against Iran.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China can veto any potential resolution to censure Iran or ratchet up sanctions.
“The urgent task now is for all sides to pay attention to the broader picture and step up diplomatic efforts,” said Ma.
He said the New York “P5 plus 1” meeting “did not touch on specific next steps” over Iran.
China also “dismayed” Western delegations by sending a mid-ranking diplomat from its UN mission to the New York meeting, which had been billed as a gathering of top-level diplomats known as “political directors.”
China has said it could not send its Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei because of scheduling conflicts.
But diplomats from other countries read the move as a snub, speculating it might be to show Beijing's resistance to punishing Iran or ire at U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China claims sovereignty over since their split in 1949.
Merkel’s new sanctions threat
Iran faces further sanctions unless it changes stance in talks over its nuclear program, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday, even if there is no United Nations agreement to act against Tehran.
“Germany has made clear that if Iran's reaction does not change, we will be working on a comprehensive package of sanctions,” Merkel said at a joint news conference in Berlin with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Of course we would prefer it if these (sanctions) could be agreed within the framework of the United Nations Security Council,” she said, adding that officials would be working to that end in the coming weeks.
“But Germany will take part in sanctions with other countries that are pursuing the same goal,” she said.
Iran sees progress
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran had exchanged messages with major powers on its nuclear energy program and saw signs of progress.
“There have been ongoing negotiations and messages are being exchanged so we have to just wait. There are some minor signs indicating a realistic approach, so any probable developments or progress can be discussed later,” Mottaki said in Tehran.
tehran times : China urges flexibility on Iran, downplays sanctions
China urged other powers on Tuesday to show more flexibility in dealing with Iran's disputed nuclear program, playing down prospects of sanctions after six countries met to discuss the standoff.
While Western powers have looked to further sanctions against Iran, Russia and now especially China have resisted such steps and called for more negotiations.
Envoys from the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China met in New York at the weekend to discuss the standoff. The Chinese delegate at those talks reiterated Beijing's position that it does not back further sanctions against Iran for now.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reinforced that stance on Tuesday, avoiding even using the word “sanctions” in replying to reporters' questions about the meeting.
“Our consistent proposal has been to resolve the Iran nuclear issue appropriately through dialogue and consultation,” Ma told a regular news briefing.
“We hope all sides will enhance dialogue and cooperation, and show a more flexible and pragmatic approach,” he said.
Ma's comments underscored Beijing's reluctance to contemplate fresh sanctions against Iran.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China can veto any potential resolution to censure Iran or ratchet up sanctions.
“The urgent task now is for all sides to pay attention to the broader picture and step up diplomatic efforts,” said Ma.
He said the New York “P5 plus 1” meeting “did not touch on specific next steps” over Iran.
China also “dismayed” Western delegations by sending a mid-ranking diplomat from its UN mission to the New York meeting, which had been billed as a gathering of top-level diplomats known as “political directors.”
China has said it could not send its Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei because of scheduling conflicts.
But diplomats from other countries read the move as a snub, speculating it might be to show Beijing's resistance to punishing Iran or ire at U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China claims sovereignty over since their split in 1949.
Merkel’s new sanctions threat
Iran faces further sanctions unless it changes stance in talks over its nuclear program, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday, even if there is no United Nations agreement to act against Tehran.
“Germany has made clear that if Iran's reaction does not change, we will be working on a comprehensive package of sanctions,” Merkel said at a joint news conference in Berlin with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Of course we would prefer it if these (sanctions) could be agreed within the framework of the United Nations Security Council,” she said, adding that officials would be working to that end in the coming weeks.
“But Germany will take part in sanctions with other countries that are pursuing the same goal,” she said.
Iran sees progress
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran had exchanged messages with major powers on its nuclear energy program and saw signs of progress.
“There have been ongoing negotiations and messages are being exchanged so we have to just wait. There are some minor signs indicating a realistic approach, so any probable developments or progress can be discussed later,” Mottaki said in Tehran.
tehran times : China urges flexibility on Iran, downplays sanctions
