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Iran attacks UN draft resolution Iran has accused the US and its European allies of creating an artificial crisis by tabling a UN resolution over its enrichment plans. Javad Zarif, Iran's envoy to the UN, said such a confrontational approach could be avoided by allowing a "serious, reasonable" discussion. The five permanent UN Security Council members are discussing the document - backed by Britain, France and the US. The document calls on Iran to suspend enrichment or face "further action". The draft falls under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which could, after further decisions, allow for sanctions or military action as a last resort.Russia and China, the two other veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, are opposed to strong action. Mr Zarif told reporters the document was regrettable because "there are a multitude of possibilities for finding a peaceful resolution". "If anything, the draft indicates the intention of those who drafted it to create a crisis where a crisis is not needed, to create an atmosphere of tension which our region does not need, and which can be avoided simply by allowing serious, reasonable, sober discussion," he said. He reiterated Tehran's basic position, that it will not stop enrichment because it intends to produce electricity, not nuclear bombs. 'Differing views' The draft resolution urges Iran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development" and "suspend the construction of a reactor moderated by heavy water". It threatens to consider "further measures as may be necessary" to ensure compliance - a reference to possible sanctions. The resolution also calls on all nations to help prevent the transfer of materials and technology "that could contribute to Iran's enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and missile programmes".The ambassadors of France and the US have expressed the hope that the council will approve the resolution soon. US ambassador John Bolton said talks would continue on Friday, and into the weekend if necessary, so the resolution can be adopted before foreign ministers meet in New York on Monday to discuss Iran. China's UN ambassador Wang Guangya admitted there were still "some different views about Chapter 7". The draft resolution comes after a report
by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), last Friday said Tehran had ignored calls to halt uranium enrichment. ---------------------------------------------------
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