Frustrated world powers send Iran to U.N.
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-13 08:50 There was no immediate reaction from Tehran, which has repeatedly said it
needs more time to consider proposals presented in early June.
Iran had ruled out responding this week to international incentives to
suspend disputed portions of its nuclear program.
"The indications are that Iran's response has been disappointing and
incomplete," Rice had reporters aboard her flight here.
Any real move to punish Iran at the Security Council is a long way off, but
the group said it will seek an initial resolution requiring Iran to suspend its
uranium enrichment. Debate could begin as soon as next week.
If Iran does not comply, the group said it would then seek harsher action.
The group's short statement give no specifics, but it cited a section of the
world body's charter that could open the door to economic or other sanctions.
The group said it could stop the Security Council actions at any time should
Iran cooperate. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency has already told Iran it must
put uranium enrichment and related disputed activities on hold, and doing so is
the condition for opening negotiations on the incentives package presented to
Iran last month.
Enrichment can produce fuel for a civilian reactor or fissile material for a
bomb.
The European Union offered Iran a similar package of economic and trade
incentives last year, but Iran rejected the proposal and ramped up nuclear
activities including uranium enrichment that it had suspended during the
European talks.
More is on the line now that Iran has moved closer to being able to build a
nuclear weapon, and the United States has offered to bargain face-to-face.
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