(By Permanent Mission to the United Nations)
2006/12/23?
Mr. President,
Since the beginning of this year, Iran's nuclear issue has
attracted more and more attention in the world. Regrettably and
disappointingly, the Iranian side has not yet responded positively
to the requirement of the IAEA and the Security Council and showed
flexibility on suspension of enrichment-related activities. After
issuing a Presidential Statement in March and adopting Resolution
1696 in July on Iran's nuclear issue, the Security Council has
adopted another resolution today, aiming at safeguarding the
international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, reinforcing
IAEA's authority and role, and promoting diplomatic efforts to seek
peaceful solutions to Iran's nuclear issue. The Chinese Delegation
has therefore voted in favor of the draft resolution before us.
The Chinese side wishes to emphasize that sanctions are not the
end but a means to urge Iran to return to negotiations. Sanction
measures adopted by the Security Council this time are limited and
reversible, which are targeted at proliferation sensitive nuclear
activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.
There are also explicit provisions indicating that if Iran suspends
its enrichment related and reprocessing activities, and complies
with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and meets the
requirement of the IAEA, the Security Council shall suspend and
even terminate the sanction measures.
Mr. President,
The Security Council cannot handle Iran's nuclear issue
single-handedly. The IAEA remains the main mechanism for dealing
with this issue. Dialogue and negotiations are the only and
fundamental way out. The solution to Iran's nuclear issue requires
all-round diplomatic efforts. Diplomatic efforts outside the
Security Council in particular should be strengthened. The
resolution welcomes the commitment of China, France, Germany, the
Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States to a
negotiated solution to this issue, and encourages Iran to engage
with the six countries' proposals for a long-term comprehensive
agreement which would allow for the development of relations and
cooperation with Iran based on mutual respect and the establishment
of international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's
nuclear program. All these will be conducive to reactivating a new
round of diplomatic efforts.
Mr. President,
China has all along supported safeguarding the international
nuclear non-proliferation mechanism and opposed the proliferation
of nuclear weapons. We do not wish to see new turbulences in the
Middle East. We are in favor of a peaceful solution to Iran's
nuclear issue through political and diplomatic efforts and
negotiations.
Under the current circumstances, we wish to call upon all the
parties concerned to adopt a highly responsible and constructive
attitude, remain calm, practice restraint, and refrain from taking
any steps that will harm diplomatic efforts and may lead to
deterioration of the situation. At the same time, we hope that the
parties will seek to resume negotiations in a creative and
forward-looking manner, and continue to spare no efforts for
enhancing the diplomatic efforts for the comprehensive and peaceful
solution of Iran's nuclear issue.
China is ready to continue to make joint efforts with all the
parties concerned and contribute to maintaining international and
regional peace and stability, safeguarding and consolidating the
international non-proliferation mechanism, and resolving Iran's
nuclear issue through political and diplomatic efforts.
Thank you, Mr. President.