Security Council

5853^rd Meeting (AM)

COMMITTEE MONITORING SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN HAS RECEIVED 88 NATIONAL REPORTS

ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE MEASURES, CHAIRMAN TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

So far 88 Member States had reported on their efforts to implement sanctions imposed against Iran as a result of its continuing nuclear activities, the Chairman of the committee monitoring implementation of those measures told the Security Council this morning.

Johan Verbeke (Belgium), Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), said that, in the reports received from 19 December 2007 to 17 March 2008, one State had indicated its efforts to implement that resolution, which covers an asset freeze and travel measures, as well as resolution 1747 (2007), which designates additional individuals and groups subject to those restraints and imposes a ban on the export of arms and related material from Iran.  Seventy-two reports had been received so far under the latter resolution.

The Chairman said that, during the reporting period, three States had notified the Committee of their supply, sale or transfer of materials not prohibited by the resolution, for the construction of a nuclear power plant at Bushehr.  Two States had given notification of their intention to make or receive payments, or to authorize the unfreezing of funds for contracts entered into prior to the listing of persons and entities in the annexes to both resolutions.  The Committee had responded to two written queries from Member States requesting clarification on certain aspects of the sanctions regime.  It had also issued its annual report for 2007.

Also during the reporting period, he said, the Council had taken further steps regarding Iran.  Resolution 1803 (2008), adopted on 3 March, broadened the scope of the embargo relating to the proliferation of sensitive nuclear activities and delivery systems for nuclear weapons.  It also extended the asset freeze to include individuals and entities listed in annexes I and III of the resolution and expanded the scope of that measure.  Further, it introduced a travel ban on individuals listed in annex II, extended the travel notification requirement to individuals listed in annex I and imposed both requirements on any additional persons designated by the Council or the Committee.

He said the Council had, in addition, called upon all States to exercise vigilance in areas of publicly provided financial support for trade and banking with Iran, in accordance with national legal authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, particularly the law of the sea and relevant civil aviation agreements.  It had also called for the inspection of aircraft and vessel cargo entering and leaving Iran at airports and seaports owned and operated by two Iranian companies, provided there were reasonable grounds to believe that aircraft or vessels were transporting goods prohibited under resolutions 1737 (2007), 1747 (2007) or 1803 (2008).

The representative of the United States noted that, while the number of national reports to the Committee continued to rise, many remained outstanding.  States that had not yet done so were urged to submit their reports as soon as possible.  Resolution 1803 (2008), adopted two weeks ago because Iran’s violations of Council resolutions were not only continuing but also deepening, included a similar reporting request.

Citing the 22 February report of Mohammad Elbaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said Iran was continuing with its enrichment and heavy water-related activities, dramatically expanding heavy water centrifuges, and had even begun developing a new generation of centrifuges, testing one of them with nuclear fuel.  Moreover, that report and the Secretariat’s technical briefing, along with the 5 March Board of Governors findings, had presented troubling information about Iran’s weaponization efforts.

He said his country stood fully behind the view that all such work by Iran must cease, adding that the international community had good reason to be fully concerned.  At stake were a vital region of the world and the credibility of the Council, the international community and IAEA.  Absent Iran’s cooperation, the Council must continue to see to it that each of its decisions was implemented.  It must pursue a dual-track strategy of increased pressure on Iran while offering it the negotiating path.  The United States called on Iran to engage in constructive negotiations, which, if successful, would have profound benefits for the Iranian people.

The representative of Burkina Faso, Vice-Chairman of the Sanctions Committee, said the preparation of national reports included Member States’ requests for clarification, under resolution 1803 (2008), and it was in that area that further details were required.  The Committee could devise a format to guide Member States in the preparation of reports, perhaps a questionnaire, so that they might fulfil their reporting duties under paragraph 19 of resolution 1737 (2007) and paragraph 8 of resolution 1747 (2007).  The Committee could also make available a list of most frequently asked questions.  Such a strategy would make it possible to further sensitize States to the full implementation of the sanctions.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. and adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

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For information media • not an official record