Security Council A

Welcome to SUNS 2008!

COMMITTEE: The Security Council

TOPIC: Iran’s nuclear program

DIRECTOR: Saidde Garcia (English), Daniel Rodriguez (Spanish)

WORDS YOU HAVE
2KNOW

Heavy water reactor: use heavy water as a neutron moderator. Heavy water is deuterium oxide. The reactors are used in nuclear power plants to produce nuclear power from nuclear fuel.
Nuclear Proliferation: the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information.
Uranium Enrichment: is process that increases the proportion of the uranium-235 isotope in relation to uranium-238 in natural uranium. The uranium enrichment process was first developed in the 1940s.

WHERE, WHEN, WHY AND HOW DID THE PROBLEM BEGIN?

Iran’s nuclear program begins back in the 1950s.
How? It all started as a part of the Atoms for Peace program with help of the US. Iran’s nuclear program was made for peaceful purposes, but despite this some sources claimed Iran wanted to build a nuclear weapon.

In March 1974, the Shah envisioned a time when the world's oil supply would run out, and declared, "Petroleum is a noble material, much too valuable to burn... We envision producing, as soon as possible, 23 000 megawatts of electricity using nuclear plants. The Bushehr 1 plant was expected to be operational in March 2008 and delivering its maximum capacity to the nation's power grid by March 2009.

After the Iranian revolution, 1979, after every nuclear action was suspended Iran informed the IAEA they would resume their program. In 1983 the IAEA even planned to provide assistance to Iran under its Technical Assistance Program to produce enriched uranium. However, the IAEA was forced to terminate the program under U.S. pressure.
In 1984 there was a proposal to resume the work but this was denied while the Iran-Iraq war continued.

In 1990, Iran began to look for new partners for its nuclear program; however, few candidates existed.

Argentina, with a National Atomic Energy Commission since 1950, had completed its first nuclear reactor, Atucha I in 1974 and Embalse in 1984. The first Iranian-Argentine agreement involved help in converting a nuclear reactor in Tehran, The second and third agreements were for technical assistance, including components, for the building of pilot plants for uranium-dioxide conversion and fuel fabrication. Under US pressure, assistance was reduced, but not completely terminated.

In the beginnings of the 1990’s Russia formed an organization with Iran called Persepolis, this program provided Iran of Russian experts and technical information.

In 1992, Iran invited the IAEA to the country to visit all facilities. Director General Blix reported that all activities observed were consistent with the peaceful use of atomic energy.

In 1995, Iran signed a contract with Russia to resume work on the partially-complete Bushehr plant.

The most controversial part of this problem began in 2002, when the National Council of Resistance on Iran (Iran exiled group), revealed information about two more nuclear plants Iran was building, plants the IAEA wasn’t aware of.

Fall of 2002, the IAEA investigates Iran nuclear plants in Natanz and Arak, in February; they went and visited the facilities.

In September 2003 The IAEA board created its first resolution, which called on Tehran to cooperate more with the investigation and to suspend its uranium enrichment activities. In November 2004 Iran agreed on a more detailed arrangement to suspend its activity.

Iran resumed uranium conversion in August 2005 under the leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran announced in January 2006 that it would resume research and development on its centrifuges at Natanz.

Iran still affirms that its program is for no other than peaceful purposes. In 2008 Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’I stated in a speech on June 3 that “based on religious and Islamic beliefs as well as based on logic and wisdom Nuclear weapons have no benefit but high costs to manufacture. Nuclear weapons do not bring power to a nation because they are not useful. Nuclear weapons cannot be used.”

Despite Iran’s affirmations, the US and other governments fear Iran’s possibilities of building a nuclear weapon and argue that Iran must be pursuing, at a minimum, the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

. . .

A TRIP THOUGH IRAN’S NUCLEAR PLANT…

Arak

Where?: It is located at the Qatran Workshop near the Qara-Chai river in the Khondaub region, in Central Iran, 150 miles south of Tehran.
What?: it is a heavy water production plant. this plant produces (distills, most likely) heavy water from regular water. An enrichment plant raises the amount of uranium from its natural abundance of 0.7% to reactor grade (about 3%) or weapons grade (greater than 90%).
When?: its construction work began in 1998 and was inaugurated in 2006.
Why?: A reactor grade brings the uranium and heavy water together to produce a controlled nuclear chain reaction, which can be used to produce power and plutonium. It is mainly involved in the production of radioisotopes for medical and agricultural purpose.

Bushehr

Where?: 17 kilometers south of the city of Bushehr (also known as Bushire), between the fishing villages of Halileh and Bandargeh along the Persian Gulf.
What?: it is a Russian-Iranian project made to produce nuclear energy. The reactor is under full IAEA safeguards. The facility was the idea of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Why?: the main intention of this plant was to 23 000 megawatts of electricity using nuclear plants.

*photo... www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-12/2007-12-19-voa39.cfm?CFID=36281205&CFTOKEN=62063657

Natanz

Where?: 40km SEof Kashan and 150km north of Isfahan (Esfahan)

What?: it is a hardened Fuel Enrichment Plant. It holds a pilot plant and commercial enrichment plant .Both of these use gas centrifuge technology to enrich uranium.
Why?: it’s primary function is Uranium enrichment

VERY IMPORTANT!

Actually there are 16 nuclear plants in Iran but these are the most important 3.

…

Now, what have we, The Security Council, done?

Resolution 1696
this resolution was adopted in 31 July 2006. It was proposed by China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was passed with 14 votes in favor to 1 against (Qatar). This resolution demanded Iran to stop its nuclear program, it was said that if Iran did not do so the country will face the possibility of economic and diplomatic sanctions.

Resolution 1737
this resolution was adopted in 23 December 2006. It was sponsored by France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The resolution Imposed sanctions against Iran for failing to stop its uranium enrichment program following resolution 1696. These sanctions blocked the import or export of sensitive nuclear material and equipment and freezing the financial assets of persons or entities. Iran responded by condemning the resolution and criticizing the Security Council.

Resolution 1747
It was adopted later in December of 2006 also. It was submitted by France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The resolution applies sanctions over Iran by banning the country’s arms exports and freezing the assets and restricting the travel of additional individuals engaged in the country’s nuclear activities. Also requested a report within 60 days from the IAEA Director General on whether Iran had established such full and sustained suspension.

What does your country think?

IRAN

Iran is willing to accept the sanctions the IAEA applies; they have stated they will NOT quit their nuclear program. Iran would continue with his uranium enrichment program. Iran states that its program’s purpose is a hundred percent peaceful despite the US and EU3 countries affirmations which assure the contrary.

ISRAEL

Israel definitely believes Iran should not, by any circumstances, have any nuclear power capability. Israel does not believes at all Iran could possibly use its program for peaceful purposes. Israel believes Iran should get serious sanctions and has stated that ISRAEL will almost surely attack Iran’s nuclear sites to cause at least a significant delay in the Iranian production schedule, if not complete destruction, of that country’s nuclear program. Israel believes this is the only way to stop Iran’s conflict which will surely lead to a nuclear war. Israel is being threatened almost daily by Iran’s leaders and this pushes Israel to believe that Iran having a bomb means Israel’s destruction. Israel believes that their attack will persuade the Iranians to quit their nuclear program, or at least persuade the Western powers to significantly increase pressure on Iran.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States believes Iran’s nuclear program has another goal, one which is not a peaceful one. It believes that letting Iran become a nuclear power would be “exceedingly grave”. The US believes Iran having nuclear power would be a terrorist threat to the world. The US’s opinion, along with UK’s has put pressure on the IAEA to put pressure on Iran by applying sanctions. This causes a lot of controversy between nations. United states of America bases its idea of Iran being a terrorist threat in the statement made by its president, “Israel should be erased from the map!”, the President of the United States stated they will not let the US ally alone and they would fight Iran back to stop them from harming Israel.

RUSSIA

Russia has stated that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable; however, Russia also believes Iran has the right to nuclear power as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The problem Russian diplomats are facing is how to put together these 2 ideas and negotiate. Russian analysts suggest that Iran needs at least five years to become a weaponized state, which will give some time to handle the issue, still decisions took by the USA and EU3 countries, even Iran itself have pushed the issue to far and now there’s not as much time.

CHINA

China opposes the application of sanctions or threat of sanctions to solve the problem in Iran. It was suggested that China is at least as focused on preventing strong-arm measures against Iran as it is on the possibility that the country could produce nuclear bombs one day. China said Iran has the right to use nuclear power peacefully and that right "should be respected" as long as Iran abides by all relevant regulations. China implies that it does not view Iran as having violated the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty and sees no immediate cause for action. China and Iran agree in their way of thinking.

FRANCE

France was one of the countries which decided to take the Iran situation to the Security Council. France now along with the E3/EU supports the US decision to pressure Iran to stop its uranium enrichment program. France AGREES in application of sanctions and has been sponsor to the resolutions which involve sanctioning Iran. France argument is that France believes Iran could use, some day, this power to produce weapons. France is asking Iran to cease definitely their program and leave its plan of building a heavy water reactor.

The UK

The United Kingdom agrees on implementing sanctions to Iran. The UK supports the US completely and believes they should pressure Iran with more threats. The UK along with the rest of the E3+3 offered Iran in 2006 a proposal of suspending its enrichment program temporarily and then manages to do a treatment. The UK, as the US, fears Iran could reach a fuel level and then take it to a weapon level.

BELGIUM

Belgium, along with all the other members of the Security Council, supports a series of sanctions against Iran to put pressure. Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht has said Iran plays a 'quite constructive and significant' role in the Middle East region. De Gucht also called for diplomacy in settling disputes over Iran's nuclear program. Karel also expressed Belgium’s interest to extend the cooperation between both countries. Belgium people does not agree with the implement of sanctions, but it is neither pro-Iranian.

BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso voted in favor of preventing Middle East Nuclear Proliferation.

COSTA RICA
Jorge Urtina Ortega stated that the strategic approach to preventing proliferation was based on the willingness of States that lacked nuclear weapons not to acquire them, and the decision of the nuclear-weapon States to gradually reduce their arsenals. His country respected the right of every State to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but considered that right to be contingent on the fulfillment of all international obligations on the matter. The right to enrich uranium was a legitimate activity if its scope and objectives were subjected to complete international supervision through absolutely transparent processes. “We believe this is still not the case of the Iranian nuclear program, and for this reason, we are obligated to support the resolution that we are voting on today,” (1803)

CROATIA
This country which is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the IAEA Board established that every State had the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, but it was also important to abide by international obligations. Croatia believes Iran’s failure was to provide a response which lead to questions about the peaceful nature of its program. Croatia has voted in favor of the resolution 1747. Its Government agrees to continue with all diplomatic efforts to resolve the issues.

INDONESIA
Indonesia voted abstention in the resolution 1747. Indonesia’s representative, explaining his abstention, said: “Essentially, we are not convinced whether more sanctions, however incremental, well targeted and reversible, would move us forward in resolving the question of Iran’s nuclear program.” The country wants to find a peaceful solution to any question related to nuclear non-proliferation. Indonesia had full confidence in IAEA’s credibility and had been guided by its latest report in determining the right course of action. It believes the lack of confidence and trust was at the heart of the matter.

PANAMA
regretted that once again, sanctions had to be imposed on Iran. Panama believes that as a State to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran must adhere to restrictions related to development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, but had the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes only, including enrichment. Of course following the obligations such as the open and transparent inspection by IAEA. Panama had voted in favor of implementing sanctions, but hoped that the situation could be solved promptly.

SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa did not wish to see a nuclear-weaponized Iran or to deny them the right to exploit the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Nor did South Africa want to see a war break out over the nuclear program in Iran. Additionally, the suspension of enrichment activities should not become a goal in itself. The Council should assure Iran that the call for suspension was not a smokescreen for any indefinite suspension or termination. He said it was also important to terminate the sanctions once IAEA had addressed the remaining issues. South Africa voted in favor of implementing sanctions.

LIBYA
this country takes great consideration to nuclear non-proliferation and it was not continuing in its program. The only guarantee of the non-use of weapons of mass destruction was their elimination. Libya favored nuclear-weapon-free zones throughout the world, including the Middle East. Libya supports the resolution 1747.

VIETNAM
Vietnam had proposed changes to the draft resolution 1747 to the effect that Iran’s cooperation with IAEA and other progress, as well as the authority and role of the Agency as the body mandated to resolve the non-proliferation issues within the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s framework would be more adequately reflected. Viet Nam is in favor of implementing sanctions.

QUESTIONS!!!

2ask

¿is your country against Iran’s nuclear proliferation?

¿is your country aware of the danger it implies Iran being a weaponized country?

¿has your country considered the option of Iran producing weapons? If so, ¿does your country fear it’s true?

¿Is your country part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?

¿does your country agree with applying sanctions?

¿if so, what kind of sanctions does your country believe should be applied?

Bibliography… this means good places to START your research

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/nuke.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Iran

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RL34544.pdf

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jul/30/iran.julianborger

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/arak.htm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8792.doc.htm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8928.doc.htm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc8980.doc.htm

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/12/a-sudden-switch.html