US seeks UN draft resolution on sanctions as early as next week

AFP: The United States feels that a UN Security Council resolution on imposing sanctions on Iran over its contested nuclear program should be drafted as early as next week, US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said Friday. BERLIN, Sept 8, 2006 (AFP) – The United States feels that a UN Security Council resolution on imposing sanctions on Iran over its contested nuclear program should be drafted as early as next week, US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said Friday.

He said there would be discussions on Monday among the six world powers seeking a nuclear deal with Iran.

Following this, the world powers “should move this to the Security Council and should draft a resolution,” Burns said.

Speaking to an American academy thinktank press event, he said that the draft should be ready by the opening of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

The US official said that the Iranians have failed to suspend uranium enrichment, the condition for starting talks with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States on a package of incentives for the Islamic Republic.

“If they don’t do that (freeze enrichment work), it is clear we are heading very shortly to the Security Council to consider sanctions,” he said.

In a meeting in Berlin Thursday, the six nations had “a first discussion on what the sanctions regime would look like,” Burns said.