U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Explanation of Vote on Iran and UNSC Resolution 1737

Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Remarks to the Security Council
New York City
December 23, 2006

Mr. President,

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Nearly four months ago, the Council sent an unequivocal message to Iran: take the steps required by the IAEA Board of Governors, including fully verifiable and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, research, and development. This step was taken to convince Iran to relent from its confrontational course, consider the offer of a negotiated solution by the U.S., France, U.K., Germany, Russia and China on June 1, 2006, and avoid further Security Council action. Regrettably, Iran continues to defy the international community by its continued enrichment activities, its refusal to comply with its obligations under Security Council resolution 1696, and the requests of the IAEA.

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