Moscow open to new Iran sanctions: official
24 SEPTEMBER 2009
NEW YORK - Russia said Wednesday it would not rule out fresh sanctions against Iran, apparently striking a more conciliatory tone in nuclear talks after Washington scrapped its European missile defense plan.
A top member of the Russian delegation accompanying President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow would cooperate with the UN Security Council if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides "sufficient grounds" to prove Iran was continuing to enrich uranium.
Russia "does not rule out participation in the development of new decisions of the UN Security Council on the issues of sanctions against Iran," a Russian official said on condition of anonymity.
"If there are sufficient grounds, we do not rule out" fresh sanctions, the official said. He added the West should not doubt Russia's "open" approach to the issue, adding: "We are not isolating ourselves."
Western nations suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb, something Tehran has denied saying its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.
"The criteria for us is not from some kind of individual estimates, but reports and recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency," the official added.
The comments came just hours before Medvedev and US President Barack Obama were scheduled to address media.
The White House swiftly hailed Russia's position. "Their willingness to play a constructive role is extremely important," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
Medvedev was also set to deliver his first ever speech to the UN General Assembly Wednesday and address a meeting of the UN Security Council on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament on Thursday.
Last week, Medvedev did not rule out supporting sanctions but said all other means should be exhausted first.
"Sanctions do not lead to anything, although sometimes they are necessary," Medvedev told CNN in an interview ahead of his US visit.
Washington last week scrapped a Bush-era plan for missile defense in eastern Europe. Moscow has praised the move, but Medvedev warned Washington not to expect any "primitive compromises and tradeoffs."
The United Nations has long sought Russia's support on a tougher stance against Iran, but Moscow repeatedly stressed it was not in favor of more sanctions.
Privately Russian officials acknowledged that the Kremlin realized the ball was now in Russia's court.
Earlier Wednesday, a top Russian diplomat told AFP that Russia would keep working for a political solution on Iran ahead of fresh international talks planned for October 1.
"In our opinion, today the question should not be 'sanctions or not sanctions,' but how to find a political solution to end this problem," said Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States and former negotiator on Iranian nuclear issues.
"There is a chance for that and we will work at it," he said.
"Today the priority is to start a serious dialogue with the Iranian partners on how to resolve this situation," said Kislyak, who is also Russia's former deputy foreign minister.
Wednesday's meeting would be the third between Medvedev and Obama since their first face-to-face talks in London in April and their Moscow summit in July.
A report in the Russian daily Kommersant said Wednesday Obama would urge Medvedev to stop arms sales to Iran, Syria and Venezuela, all nations with chilly relations with the United States.
The newspaper indicated that Moscow would respond coolly to such a request.
"On what basis can they deny us this right? What are we, some kind of banana republic?" a source in the Russian delegation in New York told Kommersant.
But Moscow may reassure Washington by agreeing to drag its feet on delivery of arms to Iran, the report said, citing a senior Russian diplomat.
"Yes, we have arms contracts with Iran. However they are currently not being fulfilled -- this is more of a paper tiger, sales of air," the diplomat was quoted as saying.
Source: AFP
24 SEPTEMBER 2009
NEW YORK - Russia said Wednesday it would not rule out fresh sanctions against Iran, apparently striking a more conciliatory tone in nuclear talks after Washington scrapped its European missile defense plan.
A top member of the Russian delegation accompanying President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow would cooperate with the UN Security Council if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides "sufficient grounds" to prove Iran was continuing to enrich uranium.
Russia "does not rule out participation in the development of new decisions of the UN Security Council on the issues of sanctions against Iran," a Russian official said on condition of anonymity.
"If there are sufficient grounds, we do not rule out" fresh sanctions, the official said. He added the West should not doubt Russia's "open" approach to the issue, adding: "We are not isolating ourselves."
Western nations suspect Iran is trying to develop a nuclear bomb, something Tehran has denied saying its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.
"The criteria for us is not from some kind of individual estimates, but reports and recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency," the official added.
The comments came just hours before Medvedev and US President Barack Obama were scheduled to address media.
The White House swiftly hailed Russia's position. "Their willingness to play a constructive role is extremely important," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
Medvedev was also set to deliver his first ever speech to the UN General Assembly Wednesday and address a meeting of the UN Security Council on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament on Thursday.
Last week, Medvedev did not rule out supporting sanctions but said all other means should be exhausted first.
"Sanctions do not lead to anything, although sometimes they are necessary," Medvedev told CNN in an interview ahead of his US visit.
Washington last week scrapped a Bush-era plan for missile defense in eastern Europe. Moscow has praised the move, but Medvedev warned Washington not to expect any "primitive compromises and tradeoffs."
The United Nations has long sought Russia's support on a tougher stance against Iran, but Moscow repeatedly stressed it was not in favor of more sanctions.
Privately Russian officials acknowledged that the Kremlin realized the ball was now in Russia's court.
Earlier Wednesday, a top Russian diplomat told AFP that Russia would keep working for a political solution on Iran ahead of fresh international talks planned for October 1.
"In our opinion, today the question should not be 'sanctions or not sanctions,' but how to find a political solution to end this problem," said Sergei Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States and former negotiator on Iranian nuclear issues.
"There is a chance for that and we will work at it," he said.
"Today the priority is to start a serious dialogue with the Iranian partners on how to resolve this situation," said Kislyak, who is also Russia's former deputy foreign minister.
Wednesday's meeting would be the third between Medvedev and Obama since their first face-to-face talks in London in April and their Moscow summit in July.
A report in the Russian daily Kommersant said Wednesday Obama would urge Medvedev to stop arms sales to Iran, Syria and Venezuela, all nations with chilly relations with the United States.
The newspaper indicated that Moscow would respond coolly to such a request.
"On what basis can they deny us this right? What are we, some kind of banana republic?" a source in the Russian delegation in New York told Kommersant.
But Moscow may reassure Washington by agreeing to drag its feet on delivery of arms to Iran, the report said, citing a senior Russian diplomat.
"Yes, we have arms contracts with Iran. However they are currently not being fulfilled -- this is more of a paper tiger, sales of air," the diplomat was quoted as saying.
Source: AFP
