Statement by Australian FM on UNSCR 1747

Iran Focus: London, Mar. 25 – The following is the text of a statement by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on the adoption of Resolution 1747 by the United Nations Security Council imposing sanctions on Iran as well as the arrest of 15 Britons by Iranian Revolutionary Guards: Iran Focus

London, Mar. 25 – The following is the text of a statement by Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on the adoption of Resolution 1747 by the United Nations Security Council imposing sanctions on Iran as well as the arrest of 15 Britons by Iranian Revolutionary Guards:

Media Release
25 March 2007

Australia calls on Iran to cooperate with the international community

Australia welcomes the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1747 on Iran, which underlines the international community’s serious concerns in regard to Iran’s nuclear program. The unanimity of the Security Council’s decision to adopt this resolution, in response to Iran’s failure to comply with two earlier Security Council resolutions which made mandatory the suspension of all Iran’s uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, is testimony to the international community’s firm resolve on this issue.

The new resolution imposes increased measures on Iran, including, inter alia, a legally binding embargo on the transfer of arms from Iran, limits on arms transfers to Iran and an expansion of the individuals and entities subject to financial measures. Australia will proceed to implement the terms of the resolution as required by all United Nations members.

It remains open to Iran to show its international credentials and cooperate fully with UN Security Council resolution 1747, the measures in which are fully reversible, by suspending uranium enrichment. Australia strongly urges Iran to do so.

Australia is further seriously concerned at the reports of Iran’s detention of British sailors and marines in the northern Gulf in recent days and calls for Iran to ensure the immediate and safe return of the British personnel involved.