Reactions to UN decision to impose sanctions on Iran – Britain

Iran Focus: London, Dec. 23 – The following is the text of a statement by British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued following a unanimous vote by the United Nations Security Council to impose trade sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to stop its sensitive nuclear activities. Iran Focus

London, Dec. 23 – The following is the text of a statement by British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued following a unanimous vote by the United Nations Security Council to impose trade sanctions against Iran because of its refusal to stop its sensitive nuclear activities:

BECKETT WELCOMES UN RESOLUTION 1737 ON IRAN (23/12/06)

The Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett said:

‘I welcome this Resolution. It has been adopted by consensus, underlining yet again that the international community remains united and is determined to see that Iran does not acquire the means to develop nuclear weapons.

‘Iran has failed to take the steps required by the IAEA Board and the Security Council, and chosen not to engage with the generous and far reaching proposals we have presented which would open the door to a negotiated solution. Iran has continued and expanded its uranium enrichment programme, when it is obliged to suspend it fully.

‘Today’s Resolution is another significant step in holding the Iranian government to its obligations. The sanctions it introduces are aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to develop nuclear and missile technologies that could be used in a weapons programme.

‘We remain committed to resolving this issue by negotiation. I urge Iran to take the positive path outlined in the proposals we presented in June. These have the broad support of the international community and offer Iran everything it needs to develop a civilian nuclear power programme. But Iran should be in no doubt that if it does not take the steps required to establish that its programme is peaceful, the Security Council is determined to act.’