UN heavyweights seek common stance on Iran

PARIS – High-ranking officials from the UN Security Council’s five permanent members are to gather in Paris today to thrash out a common position on how to tackle a defiant Iran over its nuclear programme.

The meeting, at political director level, is the first for senior representatives of Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States since the IAEA reported to the UN Security Council last Friday that Iran was violating a UN order to halt uranium enrichment. An official from Germany, which held months of negotiations with Tehran on behalf of the European Union alongside France and Britain, will also be present.The meeting prepares for a gathering of foreign ministers from the six countries in New York on May 9.Britain, France, Germany and the United States are pushing for a hard line from the Security Council against Iran, up to and including sanctions.They fear Tehran is trying to develop a nuclear arsenal under cover of an atomic energy programme.But Russia and China have proved reluctant to go along with that, and are seeking softer, more diplomatic ways to make Iran comply with the international community’s demands.- Nampa-AFPAn official from Germany, which held months of negotiations with Tehran on behalf of the European Union alongside France and Britain, will also be present.The meeting prepares for a gathering of foreign ministers from the six countries in New York on May 9.Britain, France, Germany and the United States are pushing for a hard line from the Security Council against Iran, up to and including sanctions.They fear Tehran is trying to develop a nuclear arsenal under cover of an atomic energy programme.But Russia and China have proved reluctant to go along with that, and are seeking softer, more diplomatic ways to make Iran comply with the international community’s demands. – Nampa-AFP