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China favors diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue
(chinadaily.com.cn - agencies)
Updated: 2006-02-07 15:18

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya reiterated Monday that China prefers diplomatic efforts to solve the Iranian nuclear issue.


Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya. [Xinhua/file]

"The members of the (UN) Security Council are going to be informed either by oral presentation or by written documents to get to know what the decisions are in the IAEA on this issue," Wang told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York.

"Even with the adoption of the IAEA resolution, it is believed by most member states that diplomatic solution is a way out with the frame of the IAEA," the ambassador said. He stressed that there is still time for the Security Council to consider what action is the best to achieve the results, which has proper solution towards Iranian nuclear issue by diplomatic means.

"China prefers to have the EU-3 (Germany, Britain and France) continue the negotiation with Iranians to find a long-term solution on this issue," Wang concluded.

Iran has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to remove surveillance cameras and agency seals from sites and nuclear equipment by the end of next week in response to referral to the UN Security Council. Iran's demands came two days after the IAEA reported Tehran to the Council over its disputed atomic program.

In a confidential report to the IAEA's 35-member board on Monday, agency head Mohamed ElBaradei said Iran also announced a sharp reduction in the number and kind of IAEA inspections, effective immediately.

Iranian officials had before warned they would stop honoring the so-called "Additional Protocol" to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty - an agreement giving IAEA inspectors greater authority - if the IAEA board referred their country to the council.

Robert G. Joseph, the U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control, said Monday that Iran used negotiations with the European Union to play for time and develop its capabilities.

"I would say that Iran does have the capability to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them," he said in a response to a question raised by the Associated Press.

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was hopeful that Iran will take confidence-building measures with the IAEA.

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