Russia, China agree to refer Iran to UN
(bloomberg.com)
Updated: 2006-02-01 10:04

Russia and China agreed to join the U.S., U.K., France and Germany in backing the referral of Iran's nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council at a Feb. 2 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the Security Council, plus Germany's foreign minister, met for four hours over dinner in London. They agreed the IAEA ``should report to the Security Council its decision on the steps required by Iran,'' a statement released by the U.S. said.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan, speaking to reporters in Washington, said there is ``a strong consensus'' in the international community that Iran must suspend its nuclear activities.

U.S. diplomats have labored for months to persuade Russia and China, both of which have broad commercial interests in Iran, that the country's nuclear program should be taken up in the Security Council. The agreement didn't specify what action Russia and China would back at the Security Council, which may range from censure to sanctions.

The IAEA is demanding that Iran declare all of its nuclear activities and suspend enrichment-related programs.

In a concession to Russia, the ministers agreed the Security Council should wait until another IAEA board of governors meeting on March 6 to take action. Russia had wanted the Security Council to take up Iran's nuclear program only in March to allow more time for negotiations with Iran.

A senior U.S. official said all parties would be free to talk to Iran before the March deadline.