America Threatening Attack, Iran Complains to Annan
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
UNITED NATIONS – Iran yesterday called on the Security Council for a “resolute response” to address an alleged breach of international law and violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by America.
The accusations, contained in a letter sent to Secretary-General Annan by Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Javad Zarif, came as the council contemplated action against Iran because the U.N. nuclear watchdog determined the country had not complied with demands to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
The Iranian letter refers to “public and illegal threats of resort to force against the Islamic Republic of Iran” by American officials following press reports about “shocking news on the administration’s possible contemplation of nuclear strikes against certain targets in Iran.”
When asked about the press reports in an April 18 news conference, President Bush said, “All options are on the table.” Secretary of State Rice later added that America is “prepared to use measures at our disposal – political, economic, and others,” the letter to Mr. Annan noted. Ms. Rice also reiterated, “all options remain on the table.”
The statements by members of the Bush administration, Mr. Zarif wrote, comprise “contravention of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” and other treaties signed by America. The ambassador called for “concerted and resolute response” by the United Nations, and specifically by the Security Council.
Last week, America’s U.N. ambassador, John Bolton, said that since Iran presents a threat to international peace and security, America and its European allies will propose a council resolution that would make past calls for Iran to freeze its enrichment program mandatory under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter. Such resolutions can lead to enforcement measures, including sanctions and military strikes.
In October, immediately after President Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be “wiped off the map,” Israel’s vice prime minister, Shimon Peres, said Iran’s U.N. membership should be revoked. “Since the U.N. was established in 1945, there has never been a head of state, that is a U.N. member state, that publicly called for the elimination of another U.N. member,” Mr. Peres said in a radio interview.
