UN sanctions panel receives 92 reports

Large number of potential Iranian violations since March.

By JORDANA HORN
Iran sanctions 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Iran sanctions 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
NEW YORK – Members of the UN Security Council committee monitoring the implementations of sanctions on Iran told the full council on Monday that they’re continuing to examine reports of Iranian violations of an ban on imports of arms and related materials.
Yukio Takasu of Japan, the committee’s head, briefed the Security Council on the report covering March through June 2010.
The committee has received 92 reports from UN member states of potential Iranian violations.
Since March, Takasu said, the committee has instructed various member states that, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1929, they are authorized and obliged to seize and dispose of banned materials supplied, sold, transferred or exported to Iran.
Takasu also referenced Security Council Resolution 1747, which widened the scope of earlier sanctions against Iran by banning arms exports to it as well as freezing assets and restricting travel of people engaged in Iranian nuclear proliferation.
US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice also addressed the Security Council, and said that Resolution 1929 sent “a strong message about Iran’s nuclear program.
“Our adoption of Resolution 1929 reaffirmed that this council will respond decisively to serious threats to international peace and security,” Rice said. “These sanctions reinforce the determination not only of the United States but of the international community to hold Iran to its international obligations and to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.”
Rice noted that Resolution 1929 gives the committee the imperative to help UN member states fulfill obligations to implement sanctions and to respond to violations of international law. A panel of experts, she said, ought to be operational by the end of the summer in order to help states implement sanctions and to help the committee analyze information about potential sanctions violations.
The effectiveness of Iran sanctions, Rice said, lies largely with compliance of member states.
“The United States has already taken steps to implement our obligations under this resolution, as have other member states,” she said. “All states must do their part to ensure rapid, effective, and robust implementation. Such action will send an unmistakable message to Iran’s leaders and directly support negotiating efforts.”
Rice reiterated that the United States “remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution and the dual-track strategy on Iran,” and is “ready to engage with Iran to address [US] concerns.
“We continue to acknowledge Iran’s right to pursue peaceful civilian nuclear power,” Rice said. “But with that right comes the real responsibility to assure the rest of the world about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s intentions. Our goal remains to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.”
If the Iranian government continues to undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Rice said, “Iran will only find itself more isolated, less prosperous and less secure.