Security Council Briefing on Iran and Resolution 1737


Remarks
Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations , U.S. Mission to the United Nations
UN Security Council
New York City
September 7, 2011

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Mr. President, let me begin by thanking Ambassador Osorio for his report and briefing today. We appreciate your continued leadership as the Chair of the 1737 Committee.

The IAEA Director General's latest report - just released last week - once again highlights Iran's failure to comply with its international nuclear obligations, and its violations of several UN Security Council resolutions. Iran refuses to address outstanding issues related to its nuclear program. The Director General reports that Iran is continuing enrichment and heavy water-related activities in defiance of both this Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. Iran still refuses to respond substantively to information regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program.

Iran's reported installation of centrifuges at Qom constitutes yet another intentional violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a clear provocation. This is unacceptable.

We condemn Iran's persistent refusal to fulfill its international nuclear obligations. Iran's actions underscore the continuing necessity of full enforcement of sanctions by the international community in order to motivate Iran to comply with those obligations and to deny Iran the ability to advance in its proscribed programs.

The United States encourages the 1737 Committee to enhance its efforts to actively implement its mandate. We are pleased that the Committee has concluded its review of the Panel of Expert's useful and informative Final Report. We are also pleased the Committee has started to act on a number of the Panel's excellent recommendations; however, much work remains to be done. We urge the Committee to take steps to complete this work and implement the Panel's recommendations as soon as possible.

I would also like to stress that my government remains seriously concerned that the Panel of Expert's Final Report has not yet been posted to the Committee's website. We strongly believe this report must be made available to all UN Member States as soon as possible as it highlights information and best practices that can help States carry out their obligations. Furthermore, failure to circulate these documents contravenes the Committee's commitment to transparency and undermines the entire purpose behind having a Panel of Experts. We urge a prompt solution to this impasse.

Since we last met, the United States, with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, reported Iran's violation of paragraph 9 of Resolution 1929 (2010), which prohibits Iran from launches using ballistic missile technology. My government stands ready to cooperate fully with the Committee and its Panel of Experts in their investigation of this violation. We encourage all Member States to report sanctions violations to the Committee and Panel of Experts.

Mr. President the United States remains dedicated to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran's nuclear intentions are a major concern, not just for the United States, but for the region, for this Council, and for the world.

Let there be no doubt, the United States is committed to a dual-track policy of applying pressure in pursuit of a diplomatic resolution of international concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities.

We also remain committed to working closely with our partners in the 1737 Committee, the Panel of Experts, and this Council on this important issue. Our joint efforts will demonstrate the international community's resolve to address Iran's continued disregard of its international nuclear obligations.

We have made important progress in strengthening our implementation and enforcement of UN sanctions on Iran. We must redouble our efforts to sharpen the choice for Iran's leaders to abandon their dangerous course.
Thank you, Mr. President.
 



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