United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) expected resolution about Iran was finally declared.  After a period of long lasting negotiations and debates – for about four months - the resolution has passed unanimously. The decision blames Iran and even includes some sanctions. However the concessions that were given by the U.S. to take the support of China and Russia have weakened the resolution. In this format the resolution would be incapable of stopping Iran and also it is not enough to satisfy the U.S. It was an expected development that Russia would not support the decision unless the American President George W. Bush had made a telephone call in the last minute. Russia does not want to lose Iran on which it has political and economic interests. On the other hand it is not good to stand against the Western World, particularly against the US.

            The resolution was drawn up according to Article 41 of the UN Charter and it does not include military sanctions for now. In the Resolution, UN calls for a full cooperation of Iran with International Atomic Agency (IAE) and suspension of its nuclear activities.  Moreover, UNSC demands from all of its members to ban the supply and sale of all equipments, technology and finance which could contribute to Iran’s uranium enrichment, reprocessing or heavy water related activities or to the research and development activities of nuclear weapons.  Moreover it brings some other sanctions such as the prevention of traveling and freezing of assets of who are related with these activities. According to the resolution the materials that could be used in nuclear research activities are banned to be supplied to Iran.

            Russia and China are satisfied with the decision that it does not contain any military sanctions. However, the US thinks that it has paved the way for a possible military intervention by taking this resolution as a basis. Alejandro D. Wolff, the U.S. deputy permanent representative to the U.N. stated that with this decision a certain message was given to Iran and this is only the beginning. Wolff says that if Iran does not take the steps that the resolution requires, they will not hesitate to react and go back to the council. Americans are in an effort of trying any possible ways which also includes the armed intervention. In this context they take the decision as one of the strikes that will open the door.

            On the other hand Iran denies the accusations of the resolution and says that “The nuclear research activities are being held for peaceful purposes and no rule is being violated.  This decision has no base.” Ahmedinejad, the President of Iran defined the decision as a “piece of paper” and even he challenged the United Nations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran claimed that through this decision the research activities would gain impetus and also Iran announced that it would review the cooperation that had been made until now. While the draft, which anticipates the review of relations with IAE was passing in the Iranian parliament, the parliamentarians were shouting as “Death to USA” and “Death to Israel”. They cannot understand why so much pressure is being made on Iran while it is known that Israel has more than 200 nuclear bombs and Olmert, the PM of Israel slipped out that they have nuclear weapons. Another development that Iran finds hard to understand is the approval of cooperation with India in the American Congress at the same moments.

            Briefly, there is no one satisfied with the resolution. It is a little too late and does not include sufficient precautions. Primarily it does not satisfy the Americans but only gives them hope that it can constitute a basis of the resolutions in the future. On the other hand, while being blamed, Iran does not face sufficient precautions. Until now Iran has followed a well-built time gaining tactic. In fact, the policy of raising the crisis was part of this tactic. Shortly, the UN’s resolution will not stop Iran. Besides, the comments made after the decision were like a challenge. However, the resolution blames and continues to worry Iran. Between the lines it might be read a possible military intervention to Iran in the future. But also, nobody can deny that Russia and China would not sacrifice Iran under favorable circumstances. Thus, Iran is also uncomfortable with the decision and just like the US it is not  satisfied with it.

29 December 2006

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Translated by Hasan Selim OZERTEM (USAK)