NEWS BRIEFS
Russia, China agree on new sanctions for Iran
Russia has agreed to prospective new sanctions, which China will also adopt eventually, to punish Iran's failure to accept foreign scrutiny of its nuclear program, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said December 21.
When asked about imposing fresh punitive measures, Kouchner said: "Anyone who knows another way, don't hesitate to raise your hand. The Russians are already on board; the Chinese will follow."
The planned sanctions would be "precise," and include banking and insurance activities, Kouchner told the European American Press Club.
Europe has been working with Russia in drawing up the sanctions package and is waiting for the end of the year as requested by the U.S. government, he said. "The Chinese have been dragging their feet while signing enormous contracts, alongside some European countries."
A sanctions package requires approval by the U.N. Security Council, on which Russia and China are permanent members. Iran has long held close bilateral ties with China to counter Russian influence in the region. China is reported to have invested 20 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) on a new sea oil project in Iran.
The sanctions should avoid hurting ordinary Iranian people, Kouchner said, particularly those in the broad-based opposition Green Movement.
Among measures that have been considered are sanctions aimed at the Iranian oil sector. Iran has large reserves but limited refining resources, requiring imports to meet domestic demand.
The Green Movement is highly democratic, spanning opposition on the left to religious leaders who contest president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's interpretation of the Koran, Kouchner said. The movement does not support the government's nuclear policy, he said.
Iran, which claims its nuclear efforts are driven by civil energy needs, has rejected an offer to process nuclear material in the West and recently test-fired its Sajjil 2 missile, an advanced solid-fuel weapon with a claimed range of 1,900 kilometers.
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