Chinese Deputy Representative to the UN Liu Zhenmin on Monday
reiterated China's position that dialogue and negotiation were the
only options to resolve Iran's nuclear issue.?
Addressing the Security Council, after it had adopted a
resolution urging Iran to stop uranium enrichment activities by the
end of August, Liu said the purpose of the Security Council
reviewing the issue was to safeguard the international nuclear
nonproliferation mechanism.?
The council's move to review the issue was also designed to
strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA)
authority and reinforce the work of the body's director general and
his team. The IAEA wish to clarify outstanding issues relating to
Iran's nuclear program and are resolutely committed to finding a
solution to the issue through political and diplomatic
channels.??
Liu said a solution to Iran's nuclear issue was difficult
because there was a lack of trust among those involved and the
Security Council couldn't deal with the situation
single-handedly.?
"Dialogue and negotiations are the only way," he said. "The IAEA
should always be the main mechanism for dealing with this issue.
The solution requires all-round diplomatic efforts and any measures
adopted by the Security Council should serve the purposes of those
diplomatic efforts," he added.?
Liu noted the resolution just adopted explicitly demanded that
Iran suspend all nuclear enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities. It expressed the intention in the event that Iran
failed to comply with the resolution that the Security Council
should adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 of the UN
Charter to persuade Iran to comply with it and the requirements of
the IAEA.?
On the other hand, he stressed, in the event that Iran fulfills
their obligations and returns to the negotiating table, it wouldn't
be necessary for the Council to adopt any additional
measures.?
During this sensitive period, Liu said, it was essential for
Iran and all the parties concerned not to take any steps that would
harm diplomatic efforts and lead to complications or even loss of
control. "We call upon all the parties to resume, as soon as
possible, dialogue and negotiations for the proper solution of
Iran's nuclear issue," he said.?
He pledged China's continued efforts to maintain world and
regional peace and stability, safeguard and strengthen
international nuclear nonproliferation and enhance political and
diplomatic efforts for a solution to Iran's nuclear
issue.?
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution demanding
that Iran suspend its nuclear activities by the end of August or
face possible sanctions. The resolution was passed by 14 votes to
one with Qatar being the only country not in
agreement.??
(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)