Wednesday, March 15 2006 14:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

UN: In an effort to increase pressure on Iran, Britain and France, backed by the US, circulated to ten non-permanent members a proposed tough statement they would like the UN Security Council to issue on Tehran nuclear issue even as they were still trying to persuade the two veto wielding members, Russia and China, to support their plan.

Generally, the five permanent members go to the remaining ten only after they have come to an agreement among themselves. But Britain and France decided to circulate the proposed statement to the ten in the hope they would find an overwhelming support among them and that would increase the pressure on Russia and China to fall in line.

Britain, France and the United States want the UNSC to call on Iran to end its uranium enrichment programme which they suspect is aimed at making nuclear weapons. Tehran strongly denies that and contends its aim is to produce fuel for its nuclear power plants.

Diplomats said the draft also demands that a quick report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iranian compliance with the Council demand which implies that it could consider action if the IAEA presents adverse findings.