S/PV.6563 Security Council

I have the honour today of providing the 90-day briefing to the Security Council on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), in accordance with paragraph 18 (h) of that resolution. The report covers the period from 22 March to 23 June 2011, during which time the Committee held two informal consultations, on 8 and 16 June, and conducted additional work using the no objection procedure. During the Committee’s consultations held on 8 June, Ms. Salome Zourabichvili, Coordinator of the Panel of Experts, provided an overview of the main findings contained in the Panel’s final report, which was submitted to the Council and the Committee on 7 May, in accordance with paragraph 29 (d) of resolution 1929 (2010). Due to time constraints, Committee members had the opportunity only to make general comments on the Panel’s report. On 16 June, the Committee discussed in depth the Panel’s recommendations. The Committee will continue to consider actions to implement the recommendations that enjoy consensus. As a way to implement some of those recommendations, the Committee decided to request the Panel of Experts to draft a series of implementation assistance notices based on the five thematic areas covered by the recommendations. During this period, in addition to submitting its final report, the Panel, first, also held a series of consultations in China, Qatar and Azerbaijan to discuss issues relevant to the Panel’s work; secondly, investigated three reported violations, of paragraphs 9 and 13 of resolution 1929 (2010) and of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007); and, thirdly, conducted assessments of Member States’ implementation reports under paragraph 31 of resolution 1929 (2010), which were circulated to the Committed on 3 May. Since my last briefing to the Council (see S/PV.6502), the Committee was notified of three additional cases of alleged violations of the provisions of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007), which imposes a ban on the export to and procurement by Iran of arms and related materiel. Some of the cases notified to the Committee are still being examined by the Committee and the Panel of Experts. The Committee commends the readiness of States to report alleged sanctions violations and encourages them to cooperate with the Panel of Experts in its investigations of incidents of non-compliance. During this reporting period, the Committee also received five notifications: two from a Member State with reference to paragraph 15 of resolution 1737 (2006) and paragraph 4 of resolution 1747 (2007), concerning the authorization for exemptions from financial restrictions; two from a Member State announcing its intention to authorize, under paragraph 13 (b) of resolution 1737 (2006), certain economic resources to the benefit of an entity included on the list contained in the annex to resolution 1737 (2006); and, finally, one from a Member State concerning the authorization, under paragraph 15 of resolution 1737 (2006), of payments due under a contract entered into prior to the Security Council measures against a certain entity. The Committee also received a query from a Member State that sought information on whether there were Security Council measures imposed against an Iranian company or individuals working for that entity. In response to a Committee letter asking for details regarding an alleged violation previously reported, a Member State asked for clarifications regarding its involvement in the incident. The Committee is still considering appropriate responses to those letters and will provide answers in due course. During this period, the Committee also received a response to its previous request for clarifications from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

I thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to members of the Council.

I would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for today’s briefing and for his leadership of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). As the Panel of Experts’ recent report to the Committee makes clear, Iran continues to violate the Council’s sanctions, both as a nuclear and conventional weapons proliferator. The Iranians themselves say as much. Earlier this month, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization announced Iran’s intention to increase its capacity to produce 20 per cent enriched uranium at Qom. This directly contravenes six Security Council resolutions requiring Iran to suspend enrichment immediately, and it illustrates the fact that Iran’s illegal enrichment programme is completely incompatible with its claims to be pursuing a peaceful programme. Iran’s test of three medium-range ballistic missiles since October and its launch of the Rassad-1 satellite using ballistic-missile technology are further clear violations of resolution 1929 (2010). The June report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted once again the failure of Iran to provide the agency with the necessary access to locations, equipment, documents and individuals, or to answer questions about its procurement of nuclear-related items and the possible military dimensions of the Iranian programme. It makes clear, as have successive reports of the IAEA, that Iran has not suspended its enrichment activity and that the agency is unable to confirm that all nuclear material is being used for peaceful activities. In short, the IAEA concluded that Iran has once again failed to comply with its obligations both to the Agency and to the Council. Against that backdrop, the renewal of the mandate of the 1737 Committee’s Panel of Experts was essential. The Panel plays a key role in promoting the implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). We offer them our strong support and full cooperation in the year ahead. We encourage the Panel to continue actively investigating violations and engaging the wider United Nations membership to promote the implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). We welcome the Panel’s efforts to raise awareness of the steps that all Member States are required to take to implement the sanctions and to foster better collaboration between States. We welcome the Committee’s recent discussions of the Panel of Experts’ report. In particular, we welcome the agreement that implementation assistance notices will be drawn up and considered by the Committee in response to the five main areas of recommendation in the Panel’s report. These will be of great benefit in raising awareness among Member States of their responsibilities and of the actions they can take to prevent further violations. The Committee should also take forward the Panel’s recommendations by designating those individuals and entities involved in reported violations. We look forward to discussing these notices and further designations in the Committee. We regret that the Panel’s final report has not yet been published. In refusing publication, some members of the Council are denying the wider United Nations membership access to this valuable assessment, which could assist with the full implementation of sanctions. The Committee should agree to release the report as a matter of urgency. At our last meeting to discuss a 90-day report (see S/PV.6502), we raised the issue of the interdiction of Iranian rockets sent to the Taliban in Afghanistan, another clear violation of Security Council resolutions. We remain gravely concerned that the Iranian Government is directly engaged in providing arms to the insurgency in Afghanistan. We look forward to receiving the Panel’s report on this violation shortly. We remain committed to engaging with Iran to address the Council’s concerns, but it is clear that Iran continues to proliferate and continues to pursue a nuclear-weapons programme. Iran has given us no good reason to believe that it is willing to engage in meaningful negotiations on its nuclear programme. For the dual-track strategy to succeed, rigorous implementation by States of the measures contained in resolution 1929 (2010) and the Council’s previous resolutions is essential. We should keep these measures under review to ensure that they remain effective and up to date.

I wish to thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing today. We are grateful for his able leadership, which has done so much to ensure that the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) remains active and focused on the implementation of its important mandate. One year ago, the Council adopted resolution 1929 (2010) in response to Iran’s continued non-compliance with its international nuclear obligations. Iran’s continued failure to comply with those obligations reminds us how important sanctions are and how important it is that the international community implement and enforce them. I will focus on three points today. First, let me turn to the latest report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which clearly demonstrates Iran’s continued non-compliance, lack of cooperation with the IAEA and refusal to resolve the outstanding issues related to its nuclear programme. Most notably, the Director General’s report confirms once again that Iran is continuing its enrichment- and heavy-water-related activities, in violation of the demands of the Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. The report also highlights Iran’s continued refusal to respond substantively to information indicating that its nuclear programme may have military dimensions. These developments only deepen our concerns about Iran’s intentions. So does Iran’s recent announcement that it intends to triple production of near 20 per cent enriched uranium and move that production to its enrichment facility near Qom, a facility built in secret and with an unclear purpose, despite years of IAEA requests. The Council established many years ago that Iran must demonstrate the “exclusively peaceful purpose” of its nuclear programme. The IAEA Director General’s latest report underscores why Iran must be held accountable and why the international community must continue to demand that Iran comply fully with its international obligations and fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. Secondly, in the light of Iran’s continued non-compliance, the international community must further strengthen the implementation and enforcement of United Nations sanctions. The 1737 Committee, the Panel of Experts and States Members of the United Nations each play an important role here. The United States strongly supports the Panel of Experts. We welcome the Council’s decision last week to renew the Panel’s mandate for another 12 months. The United States remains impressed by the Panel’s high quality, professional work. We are particularly pleased that the Panel has been able to uncover so much information about Iran’s attempts to evade United Nations sanctions. The Panel’s recent final report contains troubling findings, including significant evidence about several reported violations of United Nations sanctions related to Iran. In its report, the Panel made 30 recommendations to more tightly enforce United Nations sanctions. We encourage the Committee to take immediate steps to implement these recommendations. Our goal should be to implement them before the 1737 Committee reports back to the Council in September. The Panel’s final report must be quickly disseminated to all States Members of the United Nations, as is standard practice for United Nations expert panels. The report, which the Council has not yet released publicly, highlights information and best practices that can help States carry out their obligations. It needs to be shared. Making these reports publicly available shows important transparency. It also underscores the fact that we are serious about implementing the sanctions we have imposed on Iran. That brings me to my final point. My Government remains committed to a diplomatic solution, but diplomacy can succeed only if Iran complies with its international nuclear obligations and engages seriously with the international community to address the world’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. As we and our P5+1 partners stated last week, we have tried several times to engage Iran in a constructive dialogue towards a comprehensive, negotiated long-term solution to the global crisis of confidence about Iran’s nuclear programme. But Iran was not prepared to enter into a genuine dialogue without preconditions, so our attempts have reached no substantive result. We reaffirmed our unity of purpose to use direct diplomacy in the context of our dual-track strategy to resolve our shared concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. Our objective remains clear: to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We remain committed to working closely towards that goal with our partners in the 1737 Committee, the Panel of Experts, the Council and the international community.

We are grateful to the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Néstor Osorio of Colombia, for his briefing to the Council on the Committee’s work in recent months. We appreciate the effective work that was done during the reporting period. It is important that this work be carried out within the Committee’s mandate. The Committee must continue to work along those lines, as must the Panel of Experts, which provides useful, practical assistance to the Committee. It is very important that the work of the Experts be impartial and independent, and that they use only reliable sources of information when making recommendations or conclusions. No unverified or politicized information should be used to promote any initiatives in the Security Council or the Committee. We expect that the new practice of discussing the preliminary programme of work of the Panel in the Committee will enhance the Committee’s guidance of the work of the Panel and should help to increase the effectiveness of its efforts. Russia continues to comply strictly with the sanctions regime against Iran. To ensure the maximum effectiveness of this regime overall, all members of the international community must strictly comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and not deviate from them. With respect to the current situation regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, we are in favour of dealing with the problems that have arisen through dialogue with the country. Russia continues to focus on diplomacy and on involving Tehran fully in talks. The statement made at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting several weeks ago by the group of six States — Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, the United States of America and France — which was already mentioned by the representative of the United States, reaffirmed the quest for a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, recognizing Iran’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Following a meeting on 15 June between the Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran, Iran recognized the importance of the six-country forum and stated its readiness to cooperate with it, including with respect to nuclear activities. However, during talks, Iran expressed an interest in addressing other issues, such as the easing of sanctions and other regional issues. Such an approach to dealing with the Iranian nuclear programme, tying it to regional economic issues, is fully in line with what is being promoted by the six countries. We hope that nothing will hinder the resumption of talks between Iran and the E3+3 on the basis of mutual respect.

I thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) over the past 90 days. Under his outstanding leadership, the work of the Committee has been proceeding in a balanced and orderly way. China expresses its appreciation for this and attaches great importance to and gives consistent support to the Committee and its work. On 9 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 1984 (2011) (see S/PV.6552) on the renewal of the mandate of the Panel of Experts under the Committee. China hopes that the Panel will strictly implement the principles and requirements enshrined in the resolutions and the guidance of the Committee in its work, in keeping with the principles of neutrality, objectivity and independence, and, on the basis of reliable information, prepare reports and formulate recommendations in order to play its due role in the comprehensive and effective implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. China believes that dialogue and negotiations on the basis of progressiveness, equality and mutual benefit represents the only way to reach a comprehensive, adequate and lasting settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue and meet the common interests of all parties. China hopes that all parties will intensify their diplomatic efforts and that a new round of dialogue will be launched as soon as possible between the six parties and Iran. As a signatory to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran is entitled to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It must also honour its relevant international obligations. China hopes that Iran will take positive steps to improve the confidence of the international community in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. China believes that so long as all parties remain patient, adopt a flexible and pragmatic attitude, mobilize positive efforts and take proactive measures to continue to improve mutual confidence, they will surely be able to promote substantive progress in the dialogue and negotiations. China will continue to work with the other parties in playing a constructive role to this end.

I thank Ambassador Osorio for his 90-day report. The final report that the Panel transmitted to the Council paints an alarming picture of Iran’s violations of its obligations. These violations are systematic and deliberate and cover all the categories of measures adopted by the Security Council — in the nuclear, ballistic, arms embargo, transport, financial and trade areas. They involve increasingly complex methods, the use of shell companies and aliases, multiple intermediaries, physical concealment, false declarations and forged documents. The Panel has highlighted the recurrent involvement in these violations of the members of the Revolutionary Guard and the maritime company IRISL. I would like to emphasize one aspect of the report in particular: Iran’s violation of the arms embargo, which is at the core of the violations brought to the Committee’s attention. Indeed, three new cases have been brought to our attention since our last meeting, in March. These arms transfers are a threat to the security of us all. We are particularly concerned in this regard by the active role of Syria in these illicit arms transfers. It is involved in the majority of the cases of embargo violations brought to the attention of the Committee. Moreover, Syria refuses to cooperate with the Panel and the Committee, which is a serious violation by that country of its obligations to the Security Council. Furthermore, I would recall that the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in accordance with the Agency’s statute, has brought to the attention of the Security Council Syria’s violations of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. We are also greatly concerned by recent announcements by Iran. It has stated its desire to produce 20 per cent enriched uranium at its Fordow site and to triple its production capacity. I would remind the Council that Iran had hidden the existence of this site, which was revealed by the international community in September 2009. I would also recall that the background and original purpose of that site are still not well known, because Iran has refused to provide the Agency all the clarifications it has requested. Moreover, on 15 June Iran announced that it had launched a satellite into space. Satellite launchers and ballistic missiles use similar technology, and resolution 1929 (2010) prohibits Iran from using technology related to ballistic missiles. We would like the Panel to investigate that launch and the space and ballistic programme Iran has developed. The independent Panel of Experts created pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) last year plays a key role in ensuring that the measures adopted by the Council are implemented and remain effective, even as Iran increases its efforts to violate them. In a very short time the Panel has done an excellent job, and I would like to express our appreciation for its professionalism. We fully endorse the recommendations of its final report. The Panel’s task, however, is far from over, and we welcome the renewal of its mandate for another year. This sends an extra signal to Iran from the international community that it must fully abide by its obligations under the Council’s resolutions. For its part, the Committee must also shoulder its share of the responsibilities. We hope that the Panel’s recommendations will be followed up and that the Committee will adopt the necessary measures, particularly with respect to updating the lists of assets, individuals and entities, pursuant to its mandate from the Council. This particularly applies to individuals and entities involved in cases of violation. It would be unthinkable for the Committee not to proceed with their designation. We also trust that the Panel’s final report will soon be published as an official Security Council document, in accordance with the standing practice of the sanctions Committee, because transparency is essential in order to keep all United Nations Member States informed and improve implementation of the sanctions. The most recent report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Security Council, on 24 May, increases our concerns. It shows that Iran continues to refuse to respect its international obligations. The report is especially detailed on serious issues linked to the possible military dimension of the Iranian programme, involving in particular the development of a nuclear payload for a ballistic missile. The Agency is more concerned than ever about the possibility of secret activities being or having been conducted in this area in Iran. The Director General emphasizes seven issues in particular where the Agency is still awaiting explanations from Iran — for example, design work involving replacing the conventional payload in the warhead of the Shahab-3 missile with a spherical one. This, on top of the Iranian ballistic and space programme, is extremely worrying, and we trust that the Director General of the IAEA will continue investigations in this area and that Iran will respond to all the questions. Iran has stated that its nuclear programme is civilian, though for nine years it has not given the IAEA any guarantees that its nuclear activities have only peaceful purposes. In this regard, we regret, along with our partners in the group of six States, that Iran has not seriously considered our offers of cooperation or our specific proposals aimed at building confidence and facilitating the start of dialogue; on the contrary, it has laid out conditions that run counter to Security Council resolutions and are unacceptable, as the six States recalled recently in Vienna. The Iranians are heading down a dead-end street involving violation of international obligations, isolation and repression, at a time when the youth of the Middle East aspire to freedom. The door to negotiations remains open, but it is up to Iran to show us, by its actions, that it wishes to negotiate in good faith and that it can be considered a serious actor in the international community. As the Heads of State and Government of the G-8 indicated in Deauville at the end of May, we shall determine, on the basis of Iran’s conduct, whether or not we need to take additional measures pursuant to the dual-track approach.

I would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing and for his leadership of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). Today’s briefing follows the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. On 24 May, the Director General of the IAEA reported that Iran was not implementing a number of its legally binding obligations: suspension of enrichment- and heavy- water-related activities and clarification of the remaining outstanding issues that have given rise to concerns, particularly about the possible military dimensions of its nuclear programme. We are particularly concerned about the possible military dimensions. In its report, the IAEA said that the Agency had received further information about undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving Iranian military organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile. We urge Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA to clarify the outstanding issues and provide additional information, as well as to grant access to the relevant locations, equipment, documentation and persons, as requested by the IAEA. In addition, Iran continues to enrich uranium to nearly 20 per cent at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. At the same time, it continues to refuse to provide the Agency with information on the chronology and purpose of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant under construction near Qom. Furthermore, Iran had informed the Agency that it planned to begin feeding nuclear material into cascades by this summer. Instead of building confidence within the international community, Iran is moving in exactly the opposite direction. The most recent reports on satellite launches by Iran underline once more that Iran refuses to abide by the Council’s resolutions. The dual-track strategy offers two ways forward. We continue to be ready to engage Iran in meaningful negotiations about its nuclear programme. This would be our preferred choice. Unfortunately, given Iran’s unwillingness to talk about its nuclear programme, and against the background of Iran’s setting unacceptable preconditions for talks, we have no choice other than following up on the pressure track to move Iran back to the negotiation table. Germany fully supports the proper implementation of what the Council decided on, using four rounds of sanctions. On 9 June, the Council adopted resolution 1984 (2011) and extended the mandate of the Iran Panel of Experts. Germany welcomes the renewal of the mandate, and I would like to express our full appreciation for the Panel’s excellent work. We are convinced that the eight highly qualified experts have set the right priorities by carefully examining the many cases of violations and by reporting thoroughly on those accidents. We also support the Panel’s outreach activities and ask them to continue their work in that vein. On 7 May the Panel provided us with a comprehensive final report. Germany fully supports this useful report. The detailed analysis it contains, plus the valuable practical recommendations, provides very good guidance to Member States. My delegation is disappointed that the report has yet to be published and distributed to the broader United Nations membership. For the sake of the transparency of the Council’s work, my delegation has formally requested the publication of the final report in accordance with the standing procedure of publishing the final reports of expert groups. Let me highlight three messages that the report is sending. First, a number of recommendations focus on updating designations. Germany believes that the complex package deal that we achieved in resolution 1929 (2010) has to be adapted to the constantly changing environment in Iran. The current designation list includes the names of people who are no longer in official positions with the Iran Revolutionary Guards, for example, and new people are occupying those posts. In order to keep pace with developments on the ground, we should add designations accordingly. Secondly, the report recommends that we designate specific and well-known sanctions violators. I would like to recall that resolution 1929 (2010), in paragraph 26, recalls that the Iran Sanctions Committee may designate individuals and entities who are assisting in violating sanctions provisions or in evading existing measures. Thirdly, let me point out the many cases of weapons exports from Iran to other countries, in particular Syria. We call on all Member States to carefully implement the weapons embargo. Weapon deliveries to volatile regions in the Middle East and elsewhere come with strong destabilizing effects. Germany would like to ask the Panel of Experts to prepare an assessment of the patterns of the many weapon export violation cases in order to better understand and prevent them in the future. As the E3+3 pointed out in a joint statement at the latest Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, on 8 June, we have attempted to engage Iran in a constructive dialogue on the basis of reciprocity and a step-by-step approach that might lead to a solution to the confidence crisis that exists with respect to Iran’s nuclear programme. We reaffirm our unity of purpose and collective determination through direct diplomacy. We call on Iran to respond in a positive and constructive spirit.

I, too, would like to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for the 90-day report on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), as well as for his leadership of the Committee. I also want to convey my appreciation to the Panel of Experts for the final report presented to the Council in May, which includes concrete and useful recommendations aimed at further improving the efficiency of the regime and at assisting Member States in implementing the necessary measures to that end, in accordance with the relevant resolutions. Both reports have been crucial in shedding light on some of the apparent patterns of violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions, namely, paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007), which enforces a ban on the export and procurement by Iran of any arms and related material. I must say in that regard that Portugal is convinced of the usefulness and urgency of making the final report public, including by posting it on the Committee’s website. It is important, in our view, to make available to other Member States the concrete contents of the report. This should be done as a measure of transparency and accountability with regard to the activities that are being undertaken by the Committee, but also as a way to raise awareness among the wider international community and ensure broader understanding of the goals that are being pursued. My second point relates to what my delegation stated the last time that the Council held consultations on Iran, that is, that the work of the 1737 Committee takes on its full significance within the two-track strategy that has been followed. We cannot lose sight of the diplomatic dimension of the process, and we reiterate the call on Iran to fully engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at resolving the pending issues relating to the nature of its nuclear activities, in particular the new uranium enrichment facilities, as well as all heavy-water-related projects. That is why we have to continue to be vigilant. The Council can count on Portugal’s continued support for the work of the 1737 Committee.

South Africa thanks the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Néstor Osorio of Colombia, for his 90-day report on the activities of the Committee, and we pledge our full support. We also welcome the recent extension of the mandate, through resolution 1984 (2011), of the Panel of Experts of the Committee. The work of the Committee is an important part of the wider disarmament and non-proliferation goals that South Africa adheres to. We have often stated our concern that the existence of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, continues to pose a threat to the future of humanity. In that regard, we have also often stated that disarmament and non-proliferation are interlinked and must be pursued in conjunction with one another. South Africa continues to closely follow developments concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, and attaches great importance to the important role played by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with regard to Iran’s implementation of its safeguards agreement, and the Agency’s continuous verification of Iran’s declared nuclear material. South Africa believes that the IAEA needs to be continuously equipped with the appropriate tools to, first, provide international confidence that declared nuclear material is fully accounted for; secondly, that the IAEA is able to verify that nuclear capabilities are being used for peaceful purposes only and; thirdly, to provide assurances regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear materials and activities. We remain concerned about the lack of progress with regard to Iran’s compliance with the relevant IAEA and Security Council decisions — which are mandatory decisions — and we will continue to encourage Iran to continue its cooperation with the Agency and clarify the outstanding issues in order to restore confidence in Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme. We believe that it is important that Iran take the steps required to build confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme. Once the IAEA verification activities in Iran have placed the international community on the right path to finally resolve the outstanding issues, it is important that this process should be fully supported. South Africa encourages the peaceful resolution of the matter surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. We encourage further discussions, through cooperation, in order to promote mutual confidence in a sustainable long-term solution, with a view to facilitating the work of the IAEA on Iran’s nuclear programme. We therefore encourage all parties concerned to avoid any actions that could derail progress towards finding a sustainable solution to the matter. We also support the view that continued dialogue will and can contribute to a peaceful resolution to the issues at hand. South Africa strongly calls on all parties to resume constructive dialogue in that regard.

We would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing on the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) during the past 90 days. We note that the 1737 Committee has done very effective work in that period, which we highly appreciate. The role of the Panel of Experts is essential for the full implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). We therefore welcome the adoption of resolution 1984 (2011), which extends the Panel’s mandate for another year. We also welcome a number of practical recommendations contained in the final report of the Panel of Experts aimed at improving the implementation of sanctions provisions and at assisting Member States in meeting their obligations under those provisions. According to the latest report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the international community has still not received a clear and unequivocal answer from Iran regarding the purpose and nature of its nuclear programme. Therefore, we reiterate our call upon Iran to comply with all resolutions of the Security Council and implement the additional protocol, as well as all measures requested by the IAEA. It is imperative to restore mutual confidence and be certain that Iran’s nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes. In conclusion, Bosnia and Herzegovina still believes that the diplomatic and negotiation-driven approach with Iran, based on both good political will and responsible judgment, can redress the current situation. With this in mind, we call for additional serious efforts by the parties directly involved and sincerely hope that they will demonstrate the political will to move the process forward.

I join others in thanking Ambassador Néstor Osorio for his succinct briefing on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We appreciate the valuable work done by the Committee during the reporting period. In particular, we note the efforts made to raise awareness of the obligations of Member States pursuant to Security Council resolutions on Iran. We assure the Committee of our strong support for its activities in furtherance of its mandate. Nigeria appreciates the role and valuable contributions of the Panel of Experts to the work of the Committee. In this connection, we welcome its outreach activities as well as the final report on its work. It is essential that the Panel’s report be published, to keep the wider United Nations membership informed of the activities of the Committee. Nigeria reiterates its commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We regard the NPT as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. Given that no country is immune to the dangers posed by nuclear weapons to our common security, it is essential that we all remain committed to the globally agreed ideals contained in the NPT and other relevant instruments. We recognize the right of any party to pursue a peaceful nuclear programme. This must be pursued, however, within the ambit of the NPT and other relevant international instruments. We are therefore concerned about the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which indicates that Iran has continued its nuclear enrichment programme and has not fully implemented its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, including the additional protocols. These actions are unhelpful, as they continue to fuel doubts about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. Iran has an important obligation to dispel those doubts. It can build trust and restore the confidence of the international community in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme by responding positively to all the calls made on the country by the Council and by the IAEA Board of Governors. It should further commit to the early resumption of dialogue with the five permanent members (P5) of the Council and meaningfully participate in the talks. Nigeria remains convinced of the importance of political and diplomatic efforts in finding a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Notwithstanding the misgivings of the past meetings between the P5+1 and Iran, we hold the view that further impetus should be given to the political settlement of the dispute.

I would like to thank Ambassador Osorio for his 90-day report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We very much appreciate the work of the Committee and reiterate our readiness to continue to cooperate with it. Allow me to make the following observations. Resolution 1929 (2010) and all other related resolutions confirmed the right of all parties to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The resolution also affirms the importance of political and diplomatic efforts for seeking negotiated solutions to this issue. We therefore call for the relaunching of negotiations and a return to dialogue, which is the best way to find a comprehensive solution that will open a new chapter on cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Lebanon was one of the first countries to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We are a party to all essential international instruments against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We also fulfil our obligations in that regard. Lebanon hopes to see the dream of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the Middle East become reality. In that regard, we reiterate the importance of the Final Document of the 2010 NPT Review Conference (NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. I)), which called upon Israel to accede to the NPT, as it is the only country in the Middle East that has not yet done so, and to submit its nuclear facilities to the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreement regime.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Colombia for his briefing on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I assure the Council that my delegation will continue to do its utmost to support the work of the Committee. Last year, following its adoption by the Council, the provisions of resolution 1929 (2010) were incorporated into Brazilian domestic legislation. They are now in force in Brazil. The Panel of Experts was created to carry out a number of tasks under the direction of the Committee. We expect that the work of the Panel will strictly conform to its mandate, as clearly defined in resolution 1929 (2010). We took note of the Panel’s final report and its recommendations. It is our understanding that the conclusions and recommendations of the Panel must be fact-based and, as a rule, be firmly grounded on credible evidence. We agree with the Experts that the challenge for Member States is to ensure the full implementation of the targeted sanctions, while at the same time enabling legitimate trade and other activities not covered by sanctions to continue unhindered. I wish to take this opportunity to confirm the Brazilian invitation for the Panel of Experts to visit Brazil during the second half of this year. From a broader perspective, as regards negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, we regret that the continued lack of mutual trust has blocked progress on the talks. The prompt resumption of dialogue would be beneficial to addressing the concerns of the international community in order to clarify outstanding questions and ensure that the Iranian nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

I would like to join other colleagues in thanking Ambassador Néstor Osorio for presenting the 90-day report of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We appreciate the work of the Committee under Ambassador Osorio’s stewardship. We also take note of the Panel of Experts report that is under the consideration of the 1737 Committee. As a country that abides by its obligations under international treaties and has strong credentials on non-proliferation, India has taken a consistent stand on the Iran nuclear issue. We support the right of all States, including Iran, to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The exercise of that right should, however, be consistent with States’ international obligations. We believe that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a central role in the resolution of technical issues concerning the Iranian nuclear programme. Iran should cooperate fully with the IAEA to restore international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. We support the intensification of efforts to address the Iranian nuclear issue by peaceful means, through dialogue and negotiation. We call upon all States to fully implement the resolutions that the Council has adopted. Every effort should be made to ensure that the legitimate trade and economic activities of Iran and other countries do not suffer while implementing the measures sanctioned by the relevant resolutions. Earlier this month the mandate of the Panel of Experts was extended for another year. We support the Panel’s work to assist the 1737 Committee in a fair and transparent manner. As with any other panel, we expect the Panel’s work to be in accordance with its mandate. For our part, we will continue to engage with the other members of the Committee to enable its work to be done effectively and efficiently.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Gabon. Gabon would like to reaffirm its commitment to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, of which the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is the cornerstone. On 22 March, my delegation expressed deep concern (see S/PV.6502) about the cases of sanctions violations by Iran, in particular of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007). We called on the Iranian authorities to respect the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, to comply with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and to return to the negotiating table with the E3+3. We also noted that re-establishing confidence between Iran and the rest of the international community in that regard was at stake. Today, like my colleagues, I would like to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for presenting his report. My delegation welcomes the in-depth consideration by the Committee’s members of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Panel of Experts submitted to the Committee and to the Council on 7 May, in accordance with paragraph 29 of resolution 1929 (2010). Likewise, we welcome the work done by the Panel of Experts, whose preparation of notices should facilitate the implementation of some of their recommendations on nuclear activities, ballistic missiles, conventional weapons and their means of delivery, export controls, maritime and other transport, and financial and trade restrictions. In that regard, my delegation urges the Committee to consider all possible steps to enable the full implementation of the recommendations, and to continue the consultations undertaken on its programme of work during country visits in order to gather the necessary information for it to carry out its mandate. In conclusion, Gabon continues to be concerned about the violations and ongoing uranium-enrichment activities by Iran. We continue to call on the Iranian authorities to comply with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and to return to the negotiating table with the E3+3. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to Ambassador Osorio.

I would just like to say a very few words to thank all the representatives who made statements for their kind words and for the support that they have given to the Committee in the work it is doing. I should also like to mention the importance of the work being done by the members of the Committee, with the support of the Secretariat and the invaluable support of the Panel of Experts. It is clear that there have been violations and attempted violations. The Committee has thoroughly studied each of the notifications in the report of the members of the Panel. I will do everything in my power under my good offices as Chair to ensure that the report presented is distributed as soon as possible and that, in that way, the principle of transparency with regard to the work of such an important Committee on an issue as serious as this can be made public.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.