Russia seeks to calm Europe on Iran nuclear arms

UNITED NATIONS -- Russia has reassured European envoys it is committed to ensuring that Iran does not make nuclear bombs, even though Moscow has gutted a draft UN resolution on sanctions against Tehran, diplomats said yesterday.

The envoys, close to negotiations on the Security Council draft resolution, said some of the numerous changes Russia has proposed in the document could be for bargaining purposes, as a trade-off for getting concessions on a nuclear power plant it is constructing for Iran at Bushehr.

The Russian amendments would cross out about half of the 24 paragraphs in the European draft, which would impose sanctions on Tehran and is generally backed by the United States. The extensive changes put forward by Moscow widened dissent among council members and diminished prospects for a quick agreement.

The sanctions seek to punish Iran for refusing to suspend all nuclear enrichment, as demanded by an Aug. 31 Security Council resolution. Washington believes enrichment is a cover for bomb-making; Tehran says it is for peaceful aims.

The European draft resolution exempts from sanctions the power plant construction -- but not the delivery of fuel to Bushehr. The plant is priced at about $800 million and is expected to go into operation next year.

Russia's draft crossed out all mention of Bushehr. Moscow's UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, argued the plant was legal and did not contribute to nuclear proliferation.