Brussels, 26/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 24 March, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1747, drawn up by the EU3 (Germany, France and the United Kingdom). This move toughens up the sanctions defined in Resolution 1737 of 23 December, devised to compel Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities. The new measures include an embargo on Iranian exports of “related materials”, financial and trade restrictions (freezing of assets), as well as on journeys abroad for an extended list of individuals and entities (now standing at 28), which are involved in Iran's nuclear or ballistic programmes. The Security Council, however, according to Resolution 1747, will suspend these measures if Iran suspends its enrichment and treatment activities, including R&D in the next 60 days for, “opening the way to negotiations on good faith, which will allow for a mutually acceptable result to be reached swiftly”. On the other hand, the Security Council is planning to take other measures if Tehran refuses to comply.
On Monday morning, a diplomat close to Javier Solana, the Union High Representative, explained to the press that Resolution 1747 was mainly expected to have a “political impact”. The diplomat stressed that it had been unanimously adopted but that South Africa, Indonesia and new non-permanent member of the Security Council were less sure. He also underscored the wish expressed during the vote by the “Six” (EU3, China, USA and Russia) in New York to get back to the negotiating table. The joint declaration by foreign affairs ministers from the “Six” underlines, “We are committed to seeking a negotiated solution that would address the international community's concerns”. The declaration also reaffirmed their offer of cooperation in the area of civil nuclear energy (as well as in the political, economic and security domains) that was put on the table in June 2006 and which is still valid. The Union diplomat also indicated on Monday that Solana was soon expected, probably in the next two days, to call on Iran's negotiator, Ari Larijani, to relaunch negotiations. (eh/oj)