Russian nuclear project snags Iran sanctions deal

UNITED NATIONS - Washington still has objections to a provision in a European draft UN resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran, particularly on Russia's work on a nuclear reactor, diplomats said on Wednesday.

European powers have given the draft resolution to Russia and China but the Bush administration wants the resolution to halt some of Moscow's work at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, the diplomats and US officials in Washington told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A unified front among Britain, France, Germany - lead negotiators with Iran - and the United States has been key to international efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West says is aimed at making weapons and Iran says is for energy production.

Still, one European envoy said there was an agreement in principle on continued work at Bushehr but there was a dispute over how the exemption should be worded. The United States wants to ensure the Russians are not allowed to provide fuel and critical components for the reactor.

Nicholas Burns, the US Undersecretary of State told Reuters Television he believed that Bushehr would not be a "major stumbling point."

Burns, visiting Colombia, said that Washington was "comfortable" with the idea of states providing Tehran with nuclear fuel and energy - providing it stopped short of giving Iranians a fuel cycle with the capability to make weapons.

The current UN Security Council draft from the Europeans exempts "construction" of Bushehr and appears to allow some 1500 Russians to continue working at the site, one European diplomat said.

"Bushehr is a red line for the Russians," one UN Security Council member said on Wednesday. The nuclear power plant in southwestern Iran is due to begin operation next year.

The four wanted agreement with Russia and China before the resolution reached the full 15-member council. The United States, Britain, France, Russia and China are permanent council members with veto power while Germany is a key negotiator.

China's UN deputy ambassador, Liu Zhenmin, told reporters the draft had been sent to Beijing and that all six nations planned to meet on Thursday afternoon.

The resolution is expected to ban nuclear and missile technology transfers to Iran, according to diplomats in Vienna and Washington, who had seen the text.

Nuclear-related technical assistance to Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, would be limited to "medical or humanitarian purposes" or "safety standards," according to the draft resolution.

The draft, sections of which were read to Reuters, said nations had to "prevent the supply, sale or transfer" to Iran of "all items, materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme."

It also said nations should "take the necessary measures to prevent the provision to Iran of technical assistance or training, financial assistance, investment brokering or other services and the transfer of financial resources or services related to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programmes."

- REUTERS