Top Iran nuclear envoy calls for talks, not threats
By Anita Chang |
April 3, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IRAN'S top nuclear envoy yesterday called for negotiations without threat of sanctions, following meetings in Beijing in the wake of United States reports saying China had dropped its opposition to possible new United Nations measures against Tehran.
Saeed Jalili sidestepped questions on whether China had confirmed to him that it had changed its opposition to new UN sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. He maintained that both Iran and China sought a return to the negotiating table.
"Our Chinese friends all say this problem can only be solved through negotiations and peaceful means," Jalili said. "And some big countries should give up their incorrect actions. Pressuring through sanctions will be ineffective."
China has veto power in the UN Security Council, and its support would be key to passing a resolution against Iran, which is suspected by the US of developing nuclear weapons. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful power generation.
During his visit to China, Jalili met Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
China has refused to confirm US reports that it was willing to consider new UN sanctions against Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday that Beijing was "concerned about the current situation" but repeated the country's long-time stance of wanting the dispute settled through negotiations.
US President Barack Obama raised the issue of Iran's nuclear program when he spoke on the phone for an hour yesterday with President Hu Jintao, welcoming his decision to attend an imminent nuclear security summit in Washington DC.
"Obama underscored the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its international obligations," a White House statement said yesterday.
The Obama administration is hoping to get a UN resolution on Iran passed by the end of April.
Saeed Jalili sidestepped questions on whether China had confirmed to him that it had changed its opposition to new UN sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. He maintained that both Iran and China sought a return to the negotiating table.
"Our Chinese friends all say this problem can only be solved through negotiations and peaceful means," Jalili said. "And some big countries should give up their incorrect actions. Pressuring through sanctions will be ineffective."
China has veto power in the UN Security Council, and its support would be key to passing a resolution against Iran, which is suspected by the US of developing nuclear weapons. Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful power generation.
During his visit to China, Jalili met Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
China has refused to confirm US reports that it was willing to consider new UN sanctions against Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday that Beijing was "concerned about the current situation" but repeated the country's long-time stance of wanting the dispute settled through negotiations.
US President Barack Obama raised the issue of Iran's nuclear program when he spoke on the phone for an hour yesterday with President Hu Jintao, welcoming his decision to attend an imminent nuclear security summit in Washington DC.
"Obama underscored the importance of working together to ensure that Iran lives up to its international obligations," a White House statement said yesterday.
The Obama administration is hoping to get a UN resolution on Iran passed by the end of April.
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