| Author | Message | | Alpha | | Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:02 am Post subject: U.S. sends warship off Lebanon coast |
| After reading the following take a look at the 'A Clean Break'/war for Israel agenda as discussed by respected American intelligence author/writer James Bamford via the link near the top of http://NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM :
U.S. sends warship off Lebanon coast (Reuters)
By Sue Pleming and Andrew Gray
Thu Feb 28, 6:52 PM ET
Signaling impatience with Syria, the United States has sent its USS Cole warship off the coast of Lebanon in a show of support amid Beirut's political crisis, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Officials said the Bush administration was concerned about political deadlock in Lebanon, which Washington blames on Syrian meddling, and the move underlined that worry.
"The presence is important. It isn't meant to send any stronger signals than that but in fact it does signal that we're engaged, we're going to be in the vicinity," said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mullen said the decision was not aimed only at Syria but at the region as whole.
"That's a very, very important part of the world and stability there as well as in the broader Middle East is an important outcome for us," he told reporters at the Pentagon.
A U.S. defense official said the Cole, a destroyer, left Malta on Tuesday heading toward Lebanon, adding it would not be within visible range of Lebanon but "well over the horizon."
A couple of U.S. Navy refueling ships were also in the area, the official said.
Lebanon's Western-backed governing coalition and its Syrian and Iranian backed opposition have failed to reach a deal to end the country's political conflict.
"The United States believes a show of support is important for regional stability," said a senior Bush administration official, who spoke on condition he was not identified.
"We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It has dragged on very long."
The Cole was attacked off the coast of Yemen in October 2000 by al Qaeda militants. Seventeen U.S. sailors were killed.
Mullen said a group of ships will operate in the eastern Mediterranean "for a while."
The Lebanese government had no immediate comment.
But Hezbollah ally and Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said the United States sent the Cole to display its deterrence capability and he was not worried about the action.
OTHER SHIP EN ROUTE
Two U.S. defense officials said the Cole could be replaced by the USS Nassau, an amphibious assault ship on a course for the Mediterranean. Such ships can transport U.S. Marines but there are no Marines on the Nassau, one official said.
A third defense official noted the Nassau was accompanied by other vessels as part of an expeditionary strike group and suggested some of them may be more likely to relieve the Cole.
The presidential election in Lebanon was postponed again this week to March 11 from February 26, the 15th such delay, after rival leaders failed to reach a deal.
The deadlock has threatened to degenerate into sectarian violence and continues to poison inter-Arab relations in the run-up to an Arab League summit in Syria next month.
"The Arab League is engaged but it has not been successful. In those set of circumstances we think a show of support for regional stability and regional solutions is important," said the senior Bush administration official.
Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally which supports the pro-Western coalition, has also voiced concern over events in Lebanon and discussed the issue with President George W. Bush last month during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Bush ordered the move earlier this week as a sign of concern over Lebanon and consulted U.S. allies such as France and Britain about it as well as those in the Middle East.
Bush administration officials declined to say whether the decision was taken partly because of Saudi pressure.
"The president is concerned about the situation in Lebanon and discusses the issue regularly with his national security team," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
The United States has increased pressure on Syria in recent weeks, targeting more individuals with sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury froze assets of four Syrians on Thursday, saying they facilitated the flow of money, weapons and terrorists through Syria to al Qaeda in Iraq.
(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Additional at the following URL:
http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/wake-up-america-your-government-is-hijacked-by-zionism/2008/02/14/war-with-iran-real-risk-according-to-former-cia-operative-page-61.php | |  | | Alpha | | Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: Hezbollah reject US ships off Lebanon |
| Hezbollah reject US ships off Lebanon (Associated Press)
40 minutes ago
Hezbollah on Friday rejected the deployment of U.S. warships off Lebanon, calling it a threat to the country that will not affect the militant group.
"We are facing an American threat against Lebanon," Hezbollah legislator Hassan Fadlallah said. "It is clear this threat and intimidation will not affect us."
Officials in Washington said Thursday that the U.S. Navy was sending at least three ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, to the eastern Mediterranean Sea in a show of strength during a period of tensions with Syria and political uncertainty in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is leading the opposition seeking to topple the U.S.-backed government in Beirut.
The group fought Israel in the 2006 war and is believed linked to Muslim militants who attacked U.S. forces and diplomats in Lebanon in 1983-84 during the Lebanese civil war, killing about 270. | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:37 am Post subject: Iran sanctions expected Saturday |
| Subject: Iran sanctions expected Saturday (see how a similar run-up to Iraq seems to be in the works for Iran)
Iran sanctions expected Saturday
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer 59 minutes ago
Britain and France said Thursday they expect the Security Council to vote Saturday and approve new U.N. sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.
The two countries cosponsored the resolution that would impose a third round of sanctions on Iran. The two previous sanctions resolutions were adopted unanimously, but this one is currently facing difficulties from four non-permanent council members who have raised a variety of concerns — Libya, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam.
Britain's U.N. Ambassador John Sawers said the resolution would have been adopted if it was put to a vote on Thursday. It is supported by the five veto-wielding council members — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — and has more than the nine "yes" votes needed in the 15-member council for adoption.
But Sawers said France and Britain are holding up putting the resolution in the final form "to go the extra mile" and get the countries with concerns on board. He said a vote will probably be on Saturday.
Libya's U.N. Ambassador Giadalla Ettalhi told reporters on Monday that he would vote against the current draft, and Indonesia's U.N. Ambassador Marty Natalegawa reiterated his country's serious concerns on Thursday.
"As of today, we feel there are more questions than answers," Natalegawa said. "We are in a cycle of sanctions, noncompliance, more sanctions, more noncompliance, and where does that lead the Security Council to?"
Iran insists its enrichment activities are intended only to produce fuel for nuclear energy to generate electricity, but the U.S., the European Union and others suspect its real aim is to produce atomic weapons.
The draft resolution would expand travel restrictions and the freezing of assets to more Iranian officials linked to the nuclear effort, and impose a travel ban on some of those most involved in proliferation activity.
For the first time, it would ban trade with Iran in goods which have both civilian and military uses. It would also introduce financial monitoring on two banks, call on all countries "to exercise vigilance" in granting export credits, and authorize inspections of shipments to and from Iran that are suspected of carrying prohibited goods. | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject: Blood-thirsty ISRAEL seeks "clean break" to ensnar |
| 'A Clean Break'/war for Israel agenda discussed via the youtube videos linked at the following URL:
http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/5890
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This kind of thing has been a concern of mine for quite some time as you already know.. War with Iran and Syria could get started via Lebanon.. Especially if Israel goes back in there after Hezbollah.. That assassination in Syria was a deliberate attempt to provoke retaliation from Hezbollah in order to give the Israelis an 'excuse' to go back in.. How convenient for ships to be off the coast at such a time.. Not saying that this will take place for sure, but it doesn't look good... It would be right in accordance with the rest of the 'A Clean Break' agenda (see the 'A Clean Break' post near the top of http://NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM) as you already know (with a co-writer of it being JINSA/PNAC associated Richard Perle who routinely whispers in Cheney's ear from his perch up at AEI where Cheney's wife is a fellow as well!).
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 12:53 PM
Subject: Lebanon: What U.S. Warships off the Coast Do -- and Do Not --
Mean
Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
---------------------------
LEBANON: WHAT U.S. WARSHIPS OFF THE COAST DO -- AND DO NOT -- MEAN
Summary
At least part of the USS Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group will pause in
the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon and Syria during a
routine deployment, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm.
Michael Mullen said Feb. 28. While the ships' presence is sure to grab
Syria's attention, it is not a precursor to a military strike. Rather,
the United States is signaling to Syria, Iran and Hezbollah that any
bold moves to impose their will on the Lebanese government or retaliate
for the death of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah could have serious
repercussions.
Analysis
At least a portion of the USS Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)
will pause off the coast of Lebanon and Syria during a routine
deployment, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael
Mullen announced Feb. 28. The Nassau is set to join the USS Cole
(DDG-67), and the ships will probably remain over the horizon and
largely unseen from the coast (although the Nassau has a much more
imposing silhouette than the Cole).
The total number of U.S. warships in the eastern Mediterranean will thus
likely rise above three -- something that is sure to get Syrian
President Bashar al Assad to sit upright in his seat. U.S. naval
presence off the Syrian coast could grow even more in only two weeks or
so if other ships in the ESG arrive.
Syria is already facing mounting pressure from multiple sides to back
down on its aggressive campaign in Lebanon. While Washington and the
Gulf Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, are pressuring Syria to strike a
deal over the Lebanese presidency to pull that country out of political
stagnation, Israel is strongly hinting that it is preparing for a
rematch with Hezbollah. The prospect of a coordinated U.S.-Israeli
military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon is a signal to the
Syria-Hezbollah-Iran axis that any bold moves to force its political
demands in Lebanon or retaliate for the Feb. 12 assassination of
Hezbollah top commander Imad Mughniyah will likely be met with a heavy
blow to Hezbollah.
The Nassau ESG had been expected to deploy with the North Carolina-based
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), but those Marines were recently
retasked for a last-minute deployment to Afghanistan. Thus, despite
rumors circulating in the press, there are few if any Marines deployed
with this particular ESG. In addition, various components of the ESG
have left in a staggered manner, meaning that portions of the group have
not yet joined up with the Nassau.
When fully assembled, the Nassau ESG will include some 2,800 sailors and
will comprise:
The Nassau (LHA-4), a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship that is
larger than a World War II aircraft carrier and normally carries more
than 1,500 Marines and some 50 helicopters and fighter aircraft;
The Ashland (LSD-48), a dock landing ship that can carry as many as four
air-cushion landing craft;
The Nashville (LPD-13), an amphibious transport dockship whose sister
ship, the Trenton (LPD-14), was involved in the evacuation of some 3,500
U.S. nationals from Beirut in 2006 before it was transferred to the
Indian Navy in 2007;
The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Philippine Sea (CG-58);
The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Ross (DDG-71) and
Bulkeley (DDG-84), which have the same capabilities as the Cole, with
the exception that the Bulkeley is a later Flight IIA variant that
likely carries two helicopters; and
The attack submarine Albany (SSN-753), an Improved Los Angeles class
variant with 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles (it
might carry more internally).
Even without the MEU aboard, this would represent an impressive naval
force unlike anything the United States has parked off the Levant in
some time. In addition to the Albany's capabilities, the surface
combatants soon to arrive off the Syrian coast are equipped with Aegis,
Harpoon anti-ship and Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as 5-inch guns.
That represents the most naval hitting power currently positioned in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
Copyright 2008 Strategic Forecasting, Inc.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
After reading the following take a look at the 'A Clean Break'/war for Israel agenda as discussed by respected American intelligence author/writer James Bamford via the link near the top of http://NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM:
U.S. sends warship off Lebanon coast (Reuters)
By Sue Pleming and Andrew Gray
Thu Feb 28, 6:52 PM ET
Signaling impatience with Syria, the United States has sent its USS Cole warship off the coast of Lebanon in a show of support amid Beirut's political crisis, U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Officials said the Bush administration was concerned about political deadlock in Lebanon, which Washington blames on Syrian meddling, and the move underlined that worry.
"The presence is important. It isn't meant to send any stronger signals than that but in fact it does signal that we're engaged, we're going to be in the vicinity," said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mullen said the decision was not aimed only at Syria but at the region as whole.
"That's a very, very important part of the world and stability there as well as in the broader Middle East is an important outcome for us," he told reporters at the Pentagon.
A U.S. defense official said the Cole, a destroyer, left Malta on Tuesday heading toward Lebanon, adding it would not be within visible range of Lebanon but "well over the horizon."
A couple of U.S. Navy refueling ships were also in the area, the official said.
Lebanon's Western-backed governing coalition and its Syrian and Iranian backed opposition have failed to reach a deal to end the country's political conflict.
"The United States believes a show of support is important for regional stability," said a senior Bush administration official, who spoke on condition he was not identified.
"We are very concerned about the situation in Lebanon. It has dragged on very long."
The Cole was attacked off the coast of Yemen in October 2000 by al Qaeda militants. Seventeen U.S. sailors were killed.
Mullen said a group of ships will operate in the eastern Mediterranean "for a while."
The Lebanese government had no immediate comment.
But Hezbollah ally and Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said the United States sent the Cole to display its deterrence capability and he was not worried about the action.
OTHER SHIP EN ROUTE
Two U.S. defense officials said the Cole could be replaced by the USS Nassau, an amphibious assault ship on a course for the Mediterranean. Such ships can transport U.S. Marines but there are no Marines on the Nassau, one official said.
A third defense official noted the Nassau was accompanied by other vessels as part of an expeditionary strike group and suggested some of them may be more likely to relieve the Cole.
The presidential election in Lebanon was postponed again this week to March 11 from February 26, the 15th such delay, after rival leaders failed to reach a deal.
The deadlock has threatened to degenerate into sectarian violence and continues to poison inter-Arab relations in the run-up to an Arab League summit in Syria next month.
"The Arab League is engaged but it has not been successful. In those set of circumstances we think a show of support for regional stability and regional solutions is important," said the senior Bush administration official.
Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally which supports the pro-Western coalition, has also voiced concern over events in Lebanon and discussed the issue with President George W. Bush last month during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Bush ordered the move earlier this week as a sign of concern over Lebanon and consulted U.S. allies such as France and Britain about it as well as those in the Middle East.
Bush administration officials declined to say whether the decision was taken partly because of Saudi pressure.
"The president is concerned about the situation in Lebanon and discusses the issue regularly with his national security team," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
The United States has increased pressure on Syria in recent weeks, targeting more individuals with sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury froze assets of four Syrians on Thursday, saying they facilitated the flow of money, weapons and terrorists through Syria to al Qaeda in Iraq.
(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Additional at the following URLs:
http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/wake-up-america-your-government-is-hijacked-by-zionism/2008/02/14/war-with-iran-real-risk-according-to-former-cia-operative-page-61.php
http://www.warwithoutend.co.uk/wake-up-america-your-government-is-hijacked-by-zionism/2008/02/24/war-with-iran-real-risk-according-to-former-cia-operative-page-63.php
Last edited by Alpha on Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:55 am; edited 5 times in total | | | | Alpha | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:18 am Post subject: |
| Syria Criticizes U.S. Warship Deployment
Officials Say Warships Off Lebanese Coast Are Sign Of Washington Trying To Impose Its Will
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/01/world/main3895976.shtml
(CBS) Syria ridiculed Saturday Washington's dispatch of the USS Cole and two other vessels to waters off Lebanon as a "losing bet," and said Washington was unable to impose its solution to Lebanon's long-running political crisis by force, reports CBS News producer George Baghdadi in Damascus.
"There is a history of U.S. interventions in Lebanon. I think all those experiments were totally useless. I would tell those Lebanese who are betting on U.S. show of strength force that this is a losing bet. America cannot impose a solution in Lebanon as it sees it," Syrian Foreign Minister Waleed Moallem told reporters in the first official reaction to the U.S. move.
"The only solution comes within the framework of the Arab initiative … and Lebanese consensus," said Moallem, who was speaking at a joint press conference with Arab League chief Amr Moussa.
Moussa was in Damascus Saturday to discuss with Syrian officials the Lebanese crisis, as well as an Arab summit to be held in Damascus at the end of this month.
No invitations were reported to have been sent to Saudi Arabia and Lebanon by midnight Friday, the deadline for receiving invitations, as Egypt was also threatening to boycott the gathering.
The deployment of three ships appeared to be aimed at making an American show of strength at a time of increasing international frustration at the volatile political deadlock in Lebanon between the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and the Syria and Iran-backed opposition, led by Hezbollah.
The government and opposition in Lebanon have been locked in a 15-month power struggle, with Hezbollah and its allies trying to force out Saniora's administration. The deadlock has prevented the country from electing a president since November, leaving the post empty in a dangerous power vacuum.
The United States - along with anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon - accuses Damascus of trying to re-impose its control in Lebanon.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to visit the Middle East next week.
"In fact, the policy of this U.S. Administration in Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq has proved to be wring. That is why no one can predict what the intentions of the U.S. Administration are. We judge on acts and I would say that such a show of force will have no avail and will not lead, as they claim, to stability," Muallem said in reply to a question to our Damascus correspondent.
"Such a show is absolutely against the stability of the region," he said adding that the presence of the warship "reinforces what we have been saying - that America is obstructing proposed political solutions in Lebanon."
Among those solutions, he said, was an Arab initiative which Moussa has been trying for weeks to market among feuding parties in Lebanon.
"America, by sending this warship, is sending an important message to the secretary general (Moussa) and the Arab League," al-Moallem said, without elaborating.
The state-run Tishrin newspaper also labeled the American deployment of warships off the coast of Lebanon as "unacceptable."
Ibrahim Al-Daraji, International Law Professor at Damascus University, suggested that some reactions to the U.S. move were extremely exaggerated.
"I think the move has no military dimensions, it is no more than a political message," he told CBS in a telephone conversation.
"This is a signal of U.S. political and diplomatic bankruptcy. The Americans have tried almost everything to pressure Syria but with no avail. They have tried siege, isolation, economic sanctions - such as a recent presidential executive order allowing sanctions against Syrian officials meddling in Lebanon and a member of Assad's family - and they couldn't yield Damascus," he added.
He said the deployment of U.S. warships off the coast of Lebanon was only meant to say that the Americans want to impose their own solution in Lebanon.
"But, militarily speaking, the USS Cole, which was hit in Yemen a few years ago, cannot do a way by its own. We need to watch a military buildup as we did see before the war in Iraq," he said..
Leave Lebanon Now - Saudi Embassy SMS message to nationals
http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/5901
Watch the youtube video of the C-SPAN 'Washington Journal' call which mentioned the 'A Clean Break' via the following URL:
'A Clean Break'/war for Israel:
http://neoconzionistthreat.blogspot.com/2008/02/clean-break.html
The youtube of the call is also linked at the following wakeupfromyourslumber URL:
Blood-thirsty ISRAEL seeks "clean break" to ensnare Iran/Syria into the war after "shoah" attacks on Gaza & Lebanon (be sure to take a look at the comments at the bottom of the following URL)
http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/5890
http://NEOCONZIONISTTHREAT.BLOGSPOT.COM
http://NOMOREWARFORISRAEL.BLOGSPOT.COM | | | | Alpha | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:22 am Post subject: |
| UN nuclear watchdog to focus on Iran
By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
VIENNA, Austria - European powers have prepared a resolution for next week's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency that focuses on Iran's nuclear defiance, diplomats said Sunday.
But a senior Iranian official warned against such action at the Vienna-based IAEA when the agency starts its 35-nation board meeting Monday. And diplomats said that traditional opposition by nonaligned IAEA board member nations could lead the Europeans to rethink their plans.
In any case, a Western decision on whether to lobby all 35 nations to back such a resolution would likely wait until after Monday's scheduled vote on sanctions in the U.N. Security Council, they told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information was confidential.
The five permanent council members with veto power — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — are all backing the new resolution, and they have more than the nine "yes" votes needed for approval in the 15-member council.
But four non-permanent council members have raised a variety of concerns — Libya, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam.
In Vienna, a critical IAEA resolution drafted by Britain, France and Germany would be supported by the majority of board members — including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the EU.
But Iran's critics were concerned that staunch opposition by nonaligned nations that traditionally back Iran in its nuclear dispute with the West would doom chances of consensus and lead to a vote, said the diplomats. That, in turn, could produce divisive debate and further polarization.
Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, Iran's chief IAEA representative, dismissed any efforts to push for an IAEA resolution critical of his country as "ridiculous."
"Any gesture here in that direction will ... make all member states unhappy," he told the AP Sunday. "I don't think any nations will make such a historical mistake ... it will question their credibility."
Iran's suspicious nuclear past has been a key topic at IAEA board meetings for the past five years, after revelations that the Islamic Republic had carried out nearly two decades of secret atomic work, some of it potentially linked to weapons research.
The last IAEA resolution, more than two years ago, referred Tehran's nuclear file to the Security Council. The council in turn punished Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment and fully open its nuclear activities to agency inspectors with two sets of sanctions.
Iran not only continues enrichment — which can produce both nuclear fuel and the fissile core of nuclear warheads — but has expanded its activities, saying it has a right to the technology for a civilian nuclear program. That has led to Monday's planned council vote.
Additionally fueling Western frustrations is Tehran's refusal to even discuss allegations that it tried to make nuclear weapons through interlinked projects enriching uranium, testing explosives and designing missiles and warheads suitable for a nuclear payload.
While a Feb. 22 IAEA report said a probe had made progress on other past nuclear activities, it said that Tehran had not responded properly to intelligence forwarded by the U.S. and its allies purportedly showing nuclear weapons technology being developed by Iran.
Iran has chosen to focus on the agency's assessment of progress on some topics to assert that the IAEA report vindicates its claims that its nuclear aims are peaceful. It says information on alleged weapons programs mentioned in the report and in a subsequent visual presentation to board members by agency experts is baseless and forged.
Any decision by Britain, France and Germany to push for a new resolution at the board meeting starting Monday would be significant, considering the last resolution dates back more than two years and set into motion the U.N. sanctions against Iran.
But one of the diplomats said that the language of any such document would be moderate rather than hard-edged in order to collect maximum support.
He said it would praise IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei for his efforts in probing Iran's nuclear past and not go beyond "urging" Iran to fully disclose its activities and comply with Security Council demands.
___
On the Net:
http://www.iaea.org | | | | Alpha | | | | Alpha | | Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:54 am Post subject: Iran defiant over new UN nuke sanctions |
| Iran defiant over new UN nuke sanctions
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 1 minute ago
The U.N. Security Council imposed another round of sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, but Iran defiantly vowed Monday to continue its nuclear program despite the nearly unanimous censuring vote.
The resolution authorized a third set of sanctions targeting individuals, companies and equipment that could be used in Iran's nuclear program. It was adopted on a vote of 14-0, with Indonesia abstaining.
Two previous sanctions resolution were adopted unanimously, but diplomats said this vote still sent a strong message to the Tehran government that there is global concern that Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons. Iran insists the program is aimed only at generating power.
The council imposed limited sanctions in December 2006 and has been ratcheting them up in hopes of pressuring Iran to suspend enrichment and start negotiations on its nuclear program. Iran has repeatedly defied the demand and has stepped up enrichment activities.
Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Khazee said just before Monday's vote that his government would not comply with what he called "unlawful action" against Iran's "peaceful nuclear program." He said the Security Council was being "downgraded to a mere tool of the national foreign policy of just a few countries."
"Iran cannot and will not accept a requirement which is legally defective and politically coercive," Khazee said. "History tells us that no amount of pressure, intimidation and threat will be able to coerce our nation to give up its basic and legal rights."
The six nations at the forefront of efforts to ensure Iran does not develop an atomic weapon program — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — said the resolution sends "a strong message of international resolve" about "the proliferation risks of its nuclear program."
Foreign ministers of the six countries issued a joint statement reaffirming their dual-track approach: Political, security and economic incentives offered in June 2006 if Iran suspends enrichment remains on the table and can be further developed — but continued defiance will lead to further measures.
The ministers asked the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, to meet with Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, "to address the interests and concerns of both sides in a manner which can gradually create the conditions for the opening of negotiations."
For the first time, the council has banned trade with Iran in goods that have both civilian and military uses. The resolution authorizes inspection of cargo suspected of containing banned items on planes and ships owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line.
The resolution introduces financial monitoring of two banks with purported links to suspect Iranian nuclear activities, Bank Melli and Bank Saderat.
The council calls on all countries "to exercise vigilance" in entering into new trade commitments with Iran, including granting export credits, guarantees or insurance.
It orders countries to freeze the assets of 12 additional companies and 13 individuals with links to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs — and report the travel of those Iranians. It imposes a travel ban on five individuals linked to Iran's nuclear effort.
Most of the new individuals subject to sanctions are technical figures. But one, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, is a prominent figure in the elite Revolutionary Guard military corps and is close to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is identified as a former deputy chief of the Armed Forces General Staff for Logistics and Industrial Research and as head of the State Anti-Smuggling Headquarters who has tried to get around previous U.N. sanctions.
Britain and France, which co-sponsored the resolution, put off the vote from Saturday until Monday to address concerns raised by four non-permanent council members — Libya, Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam. In the final vote, Libya, South Africa and Vietnam voted "yes," while Indonesia abstained.
Diplomats credited French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who visited South Africa last week, for helping to sway the Libyans and South Africans.
Indonesian Ambassador Marty Natalegawa spoke against additional sanctions, telling the council that Iran is cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"We must avoid more of the same," he said. "At this juncture, more sanctions are not the best cause."
The resolution was adopted 10 days after the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear monitoring agency, reported that suspicions about most past Iranian nuclear activities had eased or been laid to rest.
But the report also said Iran dismissed as false and irrelevant new documents that link Tehran to missile and explosives experiments and other work connected to a possible nuclear weapons program. The IAEA also confirmed Iran continues to enrich uranium.
The first U.N. sanctions against Iran ordered all countries to stop supplying Tehran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs. It also ordered nations to freeze the assets of 10 key Iranian companies and 12 individuals related to those programs.
When Iran responded by expanding its enrichment program, the council imposed new sanctions last March, this time banning Iranian arms exports. It also ordered countries to freeze the assets of 28 additional individuals and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs — about a third linked to the Revolutionary Guard.
___
Associated Press writer John Heilprin contributed to this report. | | | | | ©2002-2009 WarWithoutEnd.co.uk |
