Sergey Lavrov (left) still hopes to convince Ali Larijani and Iranian leaders to give up uranium enrichment.
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Moscow May Dump Iran for WTO Membership
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani visited Moscow on Friday. He tried to secure Russia’s succor at the UN Security Council ahead of discussions of a resolution which carries severe sanctions against Teheran. The Iranian chief nuke negotiator visited Moscow right after Russia and the United States had finally reached an agreement on Russia’s accession to the WTO. Apparently, Moscow may trade Iran's nuclear ambitions for key agreements with the U.S.
In his third visit to Moscow this year, Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani lauded Russia’s attempt to block a UN resolution drafted by three European Nations. The UN Security Council urges Iran to give up its uranium enrichment programs and missile development. If Iran does not comply, the UN may introduce sanctions such as banning sales of missile and nuclear technologies to the country, freezing Iran’s military bank accounts and banning high-ranking officials from travel.
Russia calls for more lenient sanctions. Teheran hopes that the UN resolution would consider Russia’s opinion. Iran’s Larijani said in Moscow on Friday Iran will “review its relations with the IAEA if the UN adopts a resolution of the three European nations without including Russia’s amendments.”
Russia is Iran’s only ally, and this union play san important role in international security system, “balancing policies of the United States”, Ali Larijani said after talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Sergey Lavrov reminded the Iranian official, however, that Iran should comply with nonproliferation regime. This is a point where Russia and the West agree.
A change in Moscow’s position is impending. Shortly before the visit, Moscow and Washington had agreed on all key issues of Russia’s membership in the WTO. What is more, U.S. President George W. Bush is meeting Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow on November 15. The second meeting is to take place on November 19 in Hanoi. Bush’s aide Stephen Hadley said “there are a lot of issues to discuss with Russia, and Iran is not the last of them.” Evidently, the United States expects some trade-offs from Russia after lifting all barriers to Moscow’s membership in the WTO. Iran may become this payment.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 11, 2006
|
|
|
