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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, greets Israeli National Security Chief Giora Eiland at their meeting in Moscow, Wednesday. (AP)
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| By Associated Press January 19, 2006 |
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Israel's national security adviser pressed Russia Wednesday on its intentions concerning the nuclear standoff between the West and Iran, news agencies reported, but Tehran's ambassador to Moscow urged the Kremlin to resist what he called pressure from other countries.
An Israeli security delegation was here Wednesday for talks with Russian officials on Iran's nuclear program hours before a visit by France's foreign minister, amid efforts to persuade Russia to back referring Tehran to the U.N Security Council over its suspected nuclear weapons ambitions.
"We would like to understand the Russian position concerning Iran's plans. We are pleased that we can express our concerns over this issue," the ITAR-Tass news agency quoted Israeli National Security Chief Giora Eiland as saying at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The delegation, which also met with the head of Russia's Security Council and nuclear energy agency, hopes to win Russian support for referring the Iranian nuclear issue to the Security Council, the Web site of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
A referral to the council, where Russia is a permanent veto-wielding member, could lead to sanctions against Iran, which defied the international community last week by removing U.N. seals from its main uranium enrichment facility.
Iran's ambassador to Russia, Gholamreza Ansari, meanwhile reiterated that Tehran was still considering a Russian proposal designed to break the deadlock - assurances that have met with skepticism in London, which has accused the Iranians of playing for time.
He told Ekho Moskvy radio Wednesday that Tehran hopes "Russia will stand up to ... the pressure against it." He said that "we know some countries (are) trying to deceive Russia with propaganda."
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who flew into Moscow Wednesday evening, according to news agencies, and was scheduled to hold talks with Russian officials Thursday, stressed the need for a united stance on Iran.
"Today we see a need to unite as soon as possible. The International community must unite and combine its efforts for potential talks with Iran," Douste-Blazy was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies in Moscow.
France and the United States on Wednesday dismissed the possibility of talks with Iran, ratcheting up the pressure on Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.
But the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday that Moscow believes it is too early to refer Tehran to the U.N. Security Council.
Lavrov sharply criticized the prospect of Security Council sanctions against Iran and said there is still a chance the standoff can be resolved by diplomacy focusing on the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
European leaders are looking at how to proceed before a Feb. 2-3 emergency IAEA board meeting to discuss what action to take. A meeting Monday produced no agreement between France, Britain and Germany - who have led negotiations with Iran for the European Union - and Russia and China on whether to refer the dispute to the Security Council.
Russia and China have joined Europe and the United States in criticizing Iran's resumption of uranium enrichment, which has deepened concerns it is pursuing nuclear weapons. But both would prefer to avoid Security Council involvement and are opposed to sanctions.
President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Tehran might still agree to Moscow's offer to move its uranium enrichment program to Russia, a step backed by the United States and EU as a way to resolve the deadlock.
"We haven't turned down this proposal," Ansari said Wednesday. "The Iranian government is looking attentively at the proposal, but it needs time. So I think Russia should have a certain time to perfect this proposal."
Lavrov said negotiations with Iran on the initiative would take place in Russia around Feb. 16 - long after the IAEA board meeting.
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