On Iran, P-5’s new strategy

Working on a two-pronged strategy of ‘‘incentives and restrictions’’ to address the Iran nuclear issue...

Working on a two-pronged strategy of ‘‘incentives and restrictions’’ to address the Iran nuclear issue, the P-5 and Germany are building consensus for a UN Security Council Chapter 7 resolution to ‘‘warn’’ Iran while also firming up a proposal for civil nuclear cooperation and a security dialogue in case Tehran reverses its current policy of defiance. The foreign ministers meeting of the P-5 and Germany was scheduled for Friday in London but has been postponed for sometime next week.

France being part of the both the EU-3 and the UNSC, believes there is much distance to cover before contemplating a military response. Top French officials say there is a consensus veering around a Chapter 7 UNSC resolution—which makes it mandatory to abide—but must be in the form of a warning that would set a deadline for Iran to comply, else sanctions would follow.

While the nature of sanctions is under discussion. Some of the steps being considered—restrict travel on political and business-related visits, sanctions on goods exported to Iran and also restrictions on financial exchange that would impact commerce. Sources said these steps will be taken incrementally and the proposal is to pressurise Iran.

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This also takes care of Russian and Chinese fears that a Chapter 7 resolution is the start of a slide that would end up in military action. However, the key issue in London would still be to get Moscow on board as it has been asking for a guarantee against any military action.

Paris feels this can be resolved as there are several options before the UNSC opt for military alternative. Moreover, coupled with this is the EU-3 proposal of incentives for Iran that is being given the final touches.

US proposes new nuclear ban treaty

GENEVA: The US today proposed that the 65-nation Conference on Disarmament negotiate a new treaty banning production of the nuclear material needed to make atomic bombs. Stephen G Rademaker, acting US assistant secretary of state for arms control, told the body that developments in the nuclear programmes in North Korea and Iran showed it was time for a rapid agreement on a treaty to ban production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, known as ‘‘fissile material’’. The proposal would go into force with only the approval of the five permanent members of the UNSC.

—AP