Chinese and Russian Permanent Representative at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva said the statements by the British envoy do not represent the views of China and Russia.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the foreign ministers of the U.S., Britain, Russia, China, France, and Germany agreed on Friday to offer Iran a new package of incentives to curtail its nuclear program.
Miliband said the group “reviewed and updated” an offer made to Iran in June 2006.
However, Duncan claimed that the 5+1 group declared that Iran’s nuclear program has created serious problems.
Duncan said, “The 5+1 message to Iran is that it should live up to its commitments.”
“Iran should either respond positively to the proposed incentives or it will face more punishment by the Security Council,” he added.
But the Russian and Chinese ambassadors reacted to Duncan’s remarks.
Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said, “The 5+1 in London agreed to use political and diplomatic solution to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue” and therefore it was decided to propose a new package of incentives to Iran.
The reality of the 5+1 meeting in London was just the opposite of what John Duncan depicted it as, Antonov added.
He said every delegation can have its own views but when they are talking on behalf of others about a sensitive issue like Iran’s nuclear program they should not “distort the realities”.
Duncan’s comments are in line with Britain’s stance on Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors’ meetings.
He added that Britain has not been given a mission by the 5+1 group to make such statements in this meeting.
Chinese ambassador Wang Chen also confirmed Antonov’ statements, saying, “The participants at London meeting welcomed diplomatic solutions, therefore the British representative’s remarks are not consistent with the realities of the London meeting.”
The Chinese ambassador also expressed hope that a comprehensive solution will be found for Iran’s nuclear issue and negotiations will be resumed soon.
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