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Britain, France introduce Iran resolution

(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-04 11:26

The resolution will seek a report back from the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran's compliance.

No timeframe has been set for that report but France's U.N Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said he wants that report no later than early June.

"Once again, the key to this lies in Iran's hands," U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said. "If they give up the pursuit of nuclear weapons, a lot of things are possible. If they continue to bluster and to threaten and obfuscate and try to throw sand in our eyes, then we're onto a different circumstance."

President Bush has stressed that the United States will continue to focus on diplomacy. However, he refuses to rule out military action if necessary.

When asked last month whether U.S. options regarding Iran "include the possibility of a nuclear strike" if Tehran refuses to halt uranium enrichment, Bush replied, "All options are on the table."

Russia, a firm opponent of the resolution, was clearly wary that some language in the new draft could be seen as opening the door to military action.

That would likely include the reference to "further measures."

"We do not believe the matter can be resolved by use of force, so that does reflect in our attitude to various possibilities in the text of the resolution," Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.

The resolution was drafted by Britain, France and Germany, the three

European Union nations that have led negotiations with Iran. Ambassadors said discussions between the three EU nations, the United States, China and Russia were only beginning over the resolution.