Region | Iran
Russia: Revelation is disturbing
Russian news agencies are quoting President Dmitry Medvedev's spokeswoman as saying the revelation of a secret uranium-enrichment plant in Iran is disturbing.
- AP
- Published: 22:57 September 25, 2009
Moscow : Russian news agencies are quoting President Dmitry Medvedev's spokeswoman as saying the revelation of a secret uranium-enrichment plant in Iran is disturbing.
The reports add to indications that Russia could join Western nations in stepping up pressure on Iran.
ITAR-Tass quoted Natalya Timakova as saying Friday during the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh that Medvedev will make a statement about Iran's nuclear program.
Timakova was quoted as saying the statement would take into account new developments that "cannot but disturb us."
She said the developments included Iran's recent declaration to the UN nuclear agency, apparently referring to what officials have said was Iran's acknowledgment of a second uranium-enrichment plant it had kept secret.
China dismisses punishment
China on Friday batted down the notion of punishing Iran with additional sanctions for developing a secret nuclear facility, saying negotiations are a better way of dealing with Tehran.
Chinese officials told reporters at the Group of 20 economic summit that Iran should cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog agency as it investigates the facility.
Asked if China would support punishing measures against Iran at the UN Security Council, Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said, "Personally, I don't like the word punishment.
"I think that all the issues can only be solved through dialogue and negotiation."
China, a growing economic, military and diplomatic world power, is a veto-holding member of the Security Council. But Beijing has deep trading ties with Iran and has been reluctant to take a strong line on Iran's alleged nuclear aspirations.
The US and others hope the disclosure of the previously secret Iranian nuclear facility will increase pressure on the global community to impose new sanctions on Iran if it refuses to stop its nuclear program.
China and Russia are seen as the key to meaningful sanctions.
Senior US officials told reporters in a briefing that the United States has been consulting with China about the facility in the last two days. They spoke on condition of anonymity to let the statements from world leaders remain the focus.
He, speaking through an interpreter, said China is following the matter closely and hopes international meetings on Iran next month will "produce positive results."
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu earlier told reporters that China wants Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country has complied with rules of the UN nuclear agency that require that it be informed of any new enrichment facility six months before it becomes operational.
News Editor's choice
-
Ukraine leaders fight over Russian language
Violence erupts in Ukraine parliament over a bill to allow use of Russian language in courts, hospitals
-
CBSE: 100% success in many UAE schools
6,000 students from 53 schools meet grade expectations in examinations
-
'I can’t believe he is not going to come back'
Seventeen-year-old boy went missing in Dubai during a visit from Pakistan
