P5+1 inching towards agreement on Iran sanctions, including energy sector15 April, 2010
The Security Council key members plus Germany late Wednesday met for the second time in a week to discuss a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme amid signs of progress in their talks.
Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong told reporters after more than hours of consultation "we just had a very constructive consultation and six countries, and after consultation, we have had a better understanding of each other's position, and we will continue this consultation." French Ambassador G{rard Araud told reporters "It was a very constructive meeting. I think we have started to negotiate on the basis of a text and I think the six countries are on board. We got into the substance.
We are moving forward and of course we will have other meetings." He did not say when. British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant also told reporters "we've had a constructive meeting and we will be continuing our discussions." The council's permanent members (P5) are the US, UK, France, China and Russia. The P5 plus Germany met last Thursday to outline their "broad" positions on a US-drafted text on the Iran sanctions.
A European diplomat familiar with the talks told reporters earlier in the day that the nuclear security Summit held in Washington earlier this week resulted in clearer instructions to Russian and Chinese ambassadors in New York to proceed with the negotiations.
According to the elements of the draft, the council would impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Iran closing existing loopholes, authorize the seizure of banned goods going to or from Iran after interception of the cargoes, impose an asset freeze and travel ban on Revolutionary Guards, tighten control on financial dealings with Iran banks and impose limits on investment in the energy sector and insuring oil transport contracts.
Council action is not expected before June.
While western powers fear Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon, Teheran asserts that its nuclear programme is meant for peaceful purposes.
Kuwait News Agency
