United Nations – Russia and China voiced tentative support Monday for a draft resolution imposing sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program, saying that with a few tweaks, it could be adopted by Christmas.
“It should not take too long,” Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. “Now our problems with the draft are small ones, not big ones.”
The proposal drafted by Britain, Germany and France, and backed by the United States, would impose penalties on Iran for de fying the Security Council’s order to stop enriching uranium by Aug. 31.
It would impose a travel ban and asset freeze on Iranian officials and institutions connected with the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It also bans the import of specific bomb-related materials and technology into Iran.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said the remaining differences could be bridged with “maybe a few small fixes.”
Russia and China have held up action against Iran for months since the flouted August deadline, arguing that the council should work to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and not isolate it by imposing sanctions.
