Posted on 04/28/2006 2:50:23 AM PDT by familyop
Iran's U.N. ambassador says Security Council not competent to deal with country's nuclear enrichment program and that Tehran is therefore not obliged to obey its decisions. Iranian nuke program 'nothing but peaceful,' ambassador states
Iran will not comply with any Security Council resolution aimed at halting its nuclear enrichment program because its activities are legal and peaceful, and pose no threat to international security, Iran's U.N. Ambassador said.
Ambassador Javad Zarif said he expects "a lot of pressure from the United States to impose another short-sighted decision on the Security Council" after Friday's release of a report by U.N. Nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei. ElBaradei, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is expected to report that Iran has refused to suspend all uranium enrichment, which can be used to generate electricity but also in nuclear weapons.
In anticipation of the report, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton has already said he plans to introduce a resolution requiring Tehran to comply with the council's demands. The resolution would not call for sanctions now, but would be introduced under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter which allows for sanctions at a later point and is militarily enforceable.
Asked how Iran would respond to such a resolution, Zarif replied: "Well if the Security Council decides to take decisions that are not within its competence, then Iran does not feel obliged to obey."
He maintained that the Security Council is not competent to deal with Iran's nuclear enrichment program "because it has been stated again and again by everybody who's familiar with this issue that this is not a threat, not imminent ... That Iran's program has shown no indication of being anything but peaceful," the Iranian ambassador said Thursday.
"Therefore the proper context for the discussion of this issue is within the IAEA," he said. "It is not within the competence of the Security Council to deal with this issue and the Security Council will be simply eroding its authority by adopting any decision that does not fall within its competence."
U.S. pushing for U.N. action
The United States has long pushed for the Security Council take responsibility for the Iranian nuclear issue but Russia and China, both veto-wielding council members, oppose sanctions and back Iran in wanting the IAEA to remain in the lead.
Bolton said if a Chapter VII resolution is adopted, the council "would be determining that there's a threat to international peace and security" And its provisions would be legally binding.
But whether the deeply divided council will agree remains in question.
In recent days as the release of ElBaradei's report has approached, U.S. And Iranian officials have been trading accusations.
Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Thursday that "no one" Could make Iran give up its nuclear technology. Earlier in the week Iran offered to transfer nuclear technology to other countries, including conflict-wracked Sudan.
The Iranian Ambassador said that the issue "is not within the competence of the Security Council." ...way to go. That'll smooth things over.
Nuke em!!!!!
"Iran's U.N. ambassador says Security Council not competent to deal with country's nuclear enrichment program and that Tehran is therefore not obliged to obey its decisions. "
He does have a point.
Ooh, and it makes you wonder.
Luke 21
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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