Russia, China block UN Iran resolution

VIENNA: Russia and China on Tuesday scuttled a Western attempt to introduce a resolution on Iran's nuclear defiance at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, diplomats said.

The decision appeared to be the result of lingering unhappiness by the two world powers about not being informed earlier of plans for such a resolution.

It came a day after the U.N. Security Council imposed another round of sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment. Iran defiantly vowed to continue its nuclear program, which it insists is aimed only at generating power.

Moscow on Monday had threatened not to back the new U.N. sanctions against Iran unless the West gave up its IAEA resolution plans.

Then on Tuesday it signaled that it was ready to back such a document if it was given substantial input in drafting it before deciding later in the day that it was against it after all, said the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was confidential.

Asked why Russia and China were opposed, one of diplomats said Moscow decided to withdraw its support "on principle" and Beijing, which often takes a cue from Russia on the Iran nuclear dispute, followed suit.

A senior Western diplomat said the decision to scrap plans for a resolution was jointly taken by the six powers taking the lead on engaging Iran on its nuclear program — the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

He said the six felt that new U.N. Security Council sanctions passed Monday to punish Iran had sent enough of a message.

Pak counters US report; nukes safe

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Ministry Wednesday rejected a US intelligence report that "vulnerabilities exist" in the military's control of its nuclear weapons. The report in its annual threat assessment said the situation in the country had "not seriously threatened the military's control of the nuclear arsenal, but vulnerabilities exist."

Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq said there should be no concern. "Pakistan's nuclear assets are safe. There should be no cause for concern over hypothetical scenarios which have zero probability," he told a weekly briefing.

He also rejected criticisms in the Western media of Pakistan's record in tackling militancy. "What Pakistan has done to counter the challenge of al-Qaeda and terrorism is well known. We do not need to repeat that. Pakistan has given more sacrifices than any other country in this war," he said.

Answering a question on the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project, the spokesman said the negotiations on the project were under way. He said there were reports that Indian minister will visit Iran but later it was rescheduled and now Pakistan is also waiting fresh date for the visit.

Regarding reduction in the bus or train service between Pakistan and India, the spokesman said a meeting between the officials of the two countries will be held on February 13 and 14 only to merge non-commercial routes, adding that there is no plan to reduce the bus service.

Answering a question about any observer from Israel, the spokesman said, as Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel, therefore, there is no possibility to receive any observer from that country.

To a query about denying visa to members of International Republican Institute (IRI), the spokesman clarified that visa of some of the officials working in Pakistan was going to expire but after the elections, therefore, there is no question of denying visa to any member of the IRI.

The spokesman said as Pakistan's membership to Commonwealth is suspended, therefore, there is no question of any observer from Commonwealth.

To a question, he said the government has issued visas to over 500 observers from different countries to observe the election being held on February 18 and not a single visa to any observer has been refused.

"About 500 foreign observers from different countries including USA and EU requested visa, for the forthcoming general elections and their requests have been processed and issued visas," said Muhammad Sadiq.

The spokesman giving details of the foreign observers said European Union has increased the number of its observers from 70 to 110 while Democracy International of USA has also been sending 35 observers while four observers are from OIC.