Bush seeks China, Russia help on Iran
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-14 07:13

Russia and China have the power, as permanent council members, to veto sanctions.

Speaking at a White House appearance with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Bush said Iran had a right to a civilian nuclear program but questioned why the oil-rich Islamic republic needed it.

And he stressed that there should be guidelines with one set out in a way "that they don't gain the expertise necessary to be able to enrich" uranium, a key step towards getting a nuclear weapon.

Ahead of the crucial meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to raise the issue here with her Indian counterpart, Natwar Singh, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, according to senior US officials.

Rice has said that seeking UN action against Tehran was a "reasonable option" after Iran last month resumed sensitive fuel-cycle work it had suspended in November after negotiations with Britain, France and Germany.

Iran has already threatened "consequences" if the issue goes to the Security Council, playing on fears of yet more instability in the Middle East and concerns that high oil prices could surge even more.

On Tuesday, Iranian national security official Ali Agha Mohammadi warned Washington and its European partners "are mistaken on our policies, and think that if they increase the pressure we will back down."

In the face of a UN Security Council referral, "the Iranian strategy will also be to raise the stakes in response," Mohammadi, spokesman for Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted as saying by the student news agency ISNA.

Bush, sinking in the polls under the weight of Hurricane Katrina and divisions over the war in Iraq, was to use the world leaders' meeting here to discuss UN reforms, the Middle East peace process and North Korea.

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