USUN INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE IN UNSC MEETING ON IRAN

UNCLAS STATE 097129 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC IR SUBJECT: USUN INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE IN UNSC MEETING ON IRAN SANCTIONS SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 The United States thanks the Chair for his report on the actions taken by states in fulfillment of their obligations under Resolutions 1737, and 1747 and 1803 to take measures to counter the proliferation and development of nuclear technology and ballistic missiles by Iran. I must note that Iran continues to defy the continued demands of this Council to suspend its uranium enrichment program and activities related to its heavy water reactor, and has failed to cooperate with the IAEA's investigation. Today, I would like to make four points. First, the United States believes it essential that Member States swiftly, fully and robustly implement the provisions of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1737, 1747 and 1803. We encourage all states to take actions that are complementary to those explicitly required by these resolutions to achieve the international community's ultimate objective: persuading Iran to make a strategic decision to abandon its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. Full implementation of the resolutions will maintain pressure on Iran to change course. Second, we need to remember that financial sanctions form a key part of the measures imposed by this Council. By exercising vigilance over Iran's access to the international financial sector, we will be able to limit Iran's ability to procure items that could benefit or advance its nuclear and missile program. To help achieve this goal, the United States, France and the United Kingdom distributed a list of banks domiciled in Iran which included their branches and subsidiaries abroad. Third, the United States has endeavored to answer the Council's call for all states to exercise vigilance over the activities of financial institutions in their territories with all banks domiciled in Iran, in order to avoid such activities contributing to proliferation- sensitive nuclear activities and the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. We also seek to aid the 1737 Committee in carrying out its mandate to examine information regarding alleged violations of imposed measures and to seek information from all states regarding actions taken by them to implement the imposed measures. It is in this vein that the United States undertook to provide a briefing to Council members on September 10 about our own efforts to implement the provisions of the Iran sanctions resolutions related to financial institutions. Our goal is to assist other states in deciding how to carry out this vigilance, particularly because we have encountered a number of attempts by Iran to avoid sanctions through the use of deceptive financial practices. Vigilance is a matter for each member state. We would encourage other countries to share their experiences so that we may help each other implement the provisions of these resolutions more effectively. Finally, the United States' objective remains a diplomatic resolution to this issue. Iran must fully and verifiably suspend its uranium enrichment-related, reprocessing, and heavy water-related activities, and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as required by the UN Security Council. RICE