UN measure would ban nuclear sales to Iran

The U.S. and its allies want the UN Security Council to ban the sale of missile and atomic technology to Iran and end most UN help for its nuclear programs, moves that diplomats said Tuesday were narrowly focused in hopes of winning Russian and Chinese backing for sanctions.

The diplomats, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the draft resolution was not public, said the proposal also would commit UN member countries to denying entry to Iranian officials involved in developing missiles or nuclear systems.

A Security Council resolution passed last week imposed similar sanctions on the sale or transfer of technology that could contribute to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs after a test explosion of a nuclear bomb there.

One of the diplomats described all three measures aimed at Iran as moderate in impact, saying that was an attempt to win Russian and Chinese support. Moscow and Beijing could be presented with the draft this week, the diplomat said.

Written by: International Herald Tribune.
- posted by Rosemary Welch@12:32 AM