Chinese Deputy Representative to the UN Liu Zhenmin on Monday reiterated China's position that dialogue and negotiation were the only options to resolve Iran's nuclear issue. 

 

Addressing the Security Council, after it had adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop uranium enrichment activities by the end of August, Liu said the purpose of the Security Council reviewing the issue was to safeguard the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism. 

 

The council's move to review the issue was also designed to strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) authority and reinforce the work of the body's director general and his team. The IAEA wish to clarify outstanding issues relating to Iran's nuclear program and are resolutely committed to finding a solution to the issue through political and diplomatic channels.  

 

Liu said a solution to Iran's nuclear issue was difficult because there was a lack of trust among those involved and the Security Council couldn't deal with the situation single-handedly. 

 

"Dialogue and negotiations are the only way," he said. "The IAEA should always be the main mechanism for dealing with this issue. The solution requires all-round diplomatic efforts and any measures adopted by the Security Council should serve the purposes of those diplomatic efforts," he added. 

 

Liu noted the resolution just adopted explicitly demanded that Iran suspend all nuclear enrichment-related and reprocessing activities. It expressed the intention in the event that Iran failed to comply with the resolution that the Security Council should adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter to persuade Iran to comply with it and the requirements of the IAEA. 

 

On the other hand, he stressed, in the event that Iran fulfills their obligations and returns to the negotiating table, it wouldn't be necessary for the Council to adopt any additional measures. 

 

During this sensitive period, Liu said, it was essential for Iran and all the parties concerned not to take any steps that would harm diplomatic efforts and lead to complications or even loss of control. "We call upon all the parties to resume, as soon as possible, dialogue and negotiations for the proper solution of Iran's nuclear issue," he said. 

 

He pledged China's continued efforts to maintain world and regional peace and stability, safeguard and strengthen international nuclear nonproliferation and enhance political and diplomatic efforts for a solution to Iran's nuclear issue. 

 

The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution demanding that Iran suspend its nuclear activities by the end of August or face possible sanctions. The resolution was passed by 14 votes to one with Qatar being the only country not in agreement.  

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)