Russia Would Support New U.N. Sanctions Unless Iran Stops Uranium Enrichment

February 28, 2008 6:53 p.m. EST

Moscow, Russia (AHN) - Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said Wednesday that Moscow would support new sanctions against Iran if its leaders do not stop enriching uranium.

"A new U.N. Security Council resolution is based on Article 41 of Chapter 7 and envisions economic sanctions against Iran related to the nonproliferation activity," Churkin said. The resolution "will be an additional guarantee that Iranian activities will not create an unacceptable danger for the international community from the point of view of the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons."

"It is not about punishment but about a strategy ... It is practically limited to the proliferation risk sphere," Churkin said. "Normal economic activities, normal economic relations with Iran won't be affected, but the resolution would apply to Iranian organizations and individuals that are known to be engaging in activities that entail proliferation risks."

Churkin said that the resolution would be the first to credit Iran through its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

A drafted resolution, calling for further sanctions against Iran for not stopping its nuclear activities, was formally introduced to the UN Security Council by France, Britain and Germany Thursday. Included in the resolution were the expansion of travel restrictions and the freezing of more assets.

In response, Tehran said that they will elicit "serious and logical reaction" if a third resolution will be issued by the U.N. Security Council.

Two resolutions have been adopted by the U.N. Security Council, the first in December 2006 and the second in March 2007. The resolutions were adopted to urge Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities and give up its controversial nuclear programs.

About nine "yes" votes were needed in order to pass the resolution and Italy, Belgium, Croatia, Panama, Burkina Faso and Costa Rica have already given their support, council diplomats said.