Statements in the Security Council

Statements in the Security Council in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On March 22, 2011, Ambassador Rosemary A. DiCarlo, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the Security Council at a briefing on Iran and Resolution 1737. Her remarks, excerpted below, are available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/158818.htm. It has now been more than nine months since this Council adopted its sixth resolution on Iran—and its fourth to impose sanctions—in response to Iran's continued refusal to comply with its international nuclear obligations. Unfortunately, once again, when it comes to Iran's actions, little has changed since we met three months ago. Let me make three key points.

First, the IAEA Director General continues to report Iran's ongoing violation of its NPT, Security Council, and IAEA safeguards obligations. Most troubling, the Director General has stated that Iran has once again refused to discuss the possible military dimensions to its nuclear program, including credible reports of Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear warhead—an issue Iran incorrectly asserts is “closed.”

The report details Iran's many ongoing failures to cooperate with the Agency's investigation and Iran's violations of its international nuclear obligations, including its failure to suspend enrichment-related activities and its work on heavy-water-related projects. After a careful presentation of the facts, the Director General concludes that the Agency is unable “to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran,” and therefore is unable “to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.” This conclusion is cause for grave concern for this Council and for the international community at large.

Developments

Second, Mr. President, it is absolutely critical that all member states continue to take the necessary steps to fully and robustly implement Security Council resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1929. This includes taking the necessary steps domestically to ensure effective implementation. It also includes submitting national-implementation reports and cooperating fully with the 1737 Committee and the Panel of Experts. In this regard, we welcome Nigeria's excellent example of enforcing these measures, including its recent seizure of an Iranian shipment of arms and related materiel and its cooperation with the Committee and Panel in investigating this violation. Recent press reports of other potential violations, such as the Iranian weapons seized on the M/V Victoria, underline the continuing need for a high level of vigilance on the part of all Member States.

In addition to the important role played by member states, the 1737 Committee and the Panel of Experts are critical to better implementation and enforcement of the Iran sanctions regime. The United States thanks the Panel for its efforts in the few months that it has been operational. This group has started strong. We have been impressed by its hard work. The 1737 Committee should be prepared to act quickly to implement recommendations from the Panel—and take additional steps in line with its program of work to tighten sanctions enforcement.

A few weeks ago, my government hosted the Panel in Washington for a series of consultations. We encourage other member states to take similar steps and do what they can to fully support the Panel's efforts.

Finally, let me reiterate my government's commitment to a diplomatic solution. We met with Iran a little more than a month ago with the sincere intent of starting a process of meaningful and constructive engagement between the P5+1 and Iran. The P5+1 came to the meeting without preconditions—and with specific, practical proposals aimed at building confidence. We made every effort to secure agreement. We had hoped to have a detailed, constructive discussion about those ideas, but instead, Iran presented unacceptable preconditions. Iran's performance in Istanbul was deeply disappointing. We now look to Iran to show the international community that it has decided to address the international community's serious concerns about Iran's troubling nuclear activities.

Details

Our goal remains to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We remain committed to working closely with the U.S. partners in this Council and the international community toward that goal.

Ambassador DiCarlo spoke again on the implementation of Resolution 1737 (2006) at a Security Council briefing on December 21, 2011. Her remarks, excerpted below, are available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/158818.htm.

Since we last met, the IAEA Director General has released a damning report on the status of Iran's implementation of its NPT Safeguards Agreement and its response to United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iran. The report concluded that Iran remains in noncompliance with its international nuclear obligations—and added to the mountain of evidence that Iran is misleading international community about its nuclear activities and its nuclear intentions.

Of even greater concern, this report addressed the question at the heart of the international community's concerns: has Iran carried out, and is it still carrying out, activities related to the development of a nuclear weapon? The report is clear: the IAEA's information indicates that Iran has carried out activities that are—and I quote—”relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.” The report further states “that prior to the end of 2003, these activities took place under a structured program, and that some activities may still be ongoing.”

More about the Issue

The decision by the IAEA Board of Governors last month to censure Iran demonstrated yet again the overwhelming view of the international community that Iran's illicit nuclear activities are unacceptable.

The Council therefore must redouble its efforts to implement the sanctions already imposed. Full implementation of these measures will show Iran there is a price to be paid for its deception. Full implementation can also slow down Iran's nuclear progress, buying us more time to resolve this crisis through diplomatic means.

The 1737 Committee and Panel of Experts are key to this effort. These bodies must continue effectively—and robustly—to implement their mandates and programs of work. The Committee must reinvigorate its efforts to implement the Panel's recommendations, including to publish further detailed Implementation Assistance Notices to help Member States meet their obligations. The Panel must continue to investigate sanctions violations and promote international awareness of the measures we have imposed.

The United States would like to express appreciation for the Panel's recent work, including its Midterm Report and its recent report on Iran's space-launch activity, which involved both projects related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and launches using ballistic missile technology in violation of resolution 1929 (2010). The Committee should review these reports carefully and take action in response. The Committee must also do more to respond to sanctions violations and sanctions violators, such as by designating violators for targeted sanctions. Resolution 1929 (2010) directed the Committee to respond effectively to these violations; Resolutions 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010) also decided that the Committee may designate additional individuals and entities that have assisted in evasion of sanctions or violations of Security Council resolutions. New designations of such individuals and entities would send a powerful signal of the Committee's commitment to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Mr. President, sanctions are only a means to an end. the U.S. ultimate goal is to ensure that Iran enters into full compliance with all its international nuclear obligations and takes the steps necessary to resolve outstanding questions. In the face of Iran's deception and intransigence, the international community must speak with one voice, making clear that Iranian actions jeopardize international peace and security and will only further isolate the regime.