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19:03 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, March 6 (KUNA) -- Chairman of the UN Security Council
Sanctions Committee on Iran Gary Francis Quinlan, of Australia, on Wednesday
said the Committee will examine in an "impartial and objective manner" any
"solid evidence" its Panel of Experts will provide in the case of Iran's
alleged transfer of weapons into Yemen to destabilize it, and take
consequently "appropriate" action.
Quinlan told the Security Council in its periodic meeting on the work of
his Committee that the members encouraged the Panel of Experts to "expedite
its investigation" of the incident and report to the Committee on its findings.
"The Committee stands ready to examine in an impartial and objective manner
and, based on solid evidence, take appropriate action upon receipt of this
report from the Panel," he added.
The Council imposed an arms embargo, among other sanctions, on Iran for
refusing to halt its uranium enrichment activities which the West fears they
are meant to develop a nuclear weapon, a charge Iran categorically denies.
He also said that several Committee members condemned Iran's Shahab 1 and 3
missiles launch during the Great Prophet 7 exercise conducted on July 2-4 last
year, in violation of Council resolutions, and suggested that the Committee
consider "appropriate action in response," adding that the Committee is
"currently exploring" this option.
US Ambassador Susan Rice told the Council that Iran's installation of
hundreds of second-generation centrifuges that could significantly increase
its uranium enrichment capacity and stockpiling of twenty percent-enriched
uranium are "unnecessary and thus provocative."
"Iran already has enough enriched uranium to fuel the Tehran Research
Reactor for at least a decade. Increasing this capacity - without any clear
civilian use - makes no sense. Iran's actions neither build international
confidence nor bring us closer to a comprehensive and peaceful solution. On
the contrary, they raise the world's concerns," she stressed.
She added that the world has also heard statements by representatives of
Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and even Iran itself who are now
publicly
acknowledging Iran's illicit arms smuggling, in violation of UN sanctions.
"The Committee should consider these statements as additional proof of
Iran's blatant disregard for its obligations and follow up to the fullest
extent possible," she suggested. (end)
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