World powers urge Iran to agree to new negotiations “without preconditions”November 18, 2011 - 09:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - World powers meeting at the United Nations’ nuclear agency have agreed on a draft resolution sharply criticizing Iran for its nuclear activities while deferring any discussion of new UN sanctions until the spring, two Western diplomats familiar with the document said Thursday, November 17. The resolution, which is expected to gain formal approval by the nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation governing board Friday, is a partial victory for Western powers seeking a unified message of rebuke to Iran over its nuclear policies. But the omission of any specific recommendations for penalties was a concession to Russia and China, which have steadfastly opposed new sanctions against Iran, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in describing diplomatic deliberations. Just 48 hours earlier, some Western governments had been skeptical that the two countries could be persuaded to support any resolution strongly critical of Iran. The draft resolution expresses “deep and increasing concern about the unresolved issues” in Iran’s nuclear program, particularly allegations that Iran has sought sensitive technology used in making nuclear warheads, said a senior U.S. official familiar with the document now before board members of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Although it contains no specific recommendation for new sanctions, the document urges Iran to agree to new negotiations “without preconditions,” and it calls on the IAEA to update its findings in March. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |