"The key United Nations Security Council members should seek a negotiated settlement with Iran over its nuclear program," Fu Mengzi, director of American Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations told China Daily.

Envoys from six countries Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the United States are debating a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Teheran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.

They were still at odds over the scope of sanctions after concluding two rounds of talks on Tuesday.

The draft, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, would slap a ban on imports and exports of materials and technology relating to uranium enrichment, reprocessing and heavy-water reactors, as well as ballistic missile delivery systems.

According to Fu, the resolution is a reaction to Iran's failure to comply with an August 31 UN deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, which can produce fuel for nuclear power plants or for bombs.

The US and some European countries suspect Teheran's ultimate goal is the production of nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian program, but Iran insists that it is pursuing nuclear power for peaceful means.

Washington wants to complete a resolution this week, but Russia is more concerned about the content than the timing.

"The draft resolution, revised earlier this month, takes into account some of Russia's approaches to breaking the deadlock over the issue," said Fu, "but Russia opposed a travel ban and asset freeze on key companies and individuals allegedly involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs named on a UN list."

Despite Russia's objection, Britain, France and Germany have distributed the measure to the council so the 15 members could prepare for a vote. But no vote has been set yet because of differences.

"There is a dearth of confidence between the main parties concerned, leaving the settlement of the issue hanging in the air," Yin Gang, a research professor at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told China Daily.

All the measures the Security Council adopts should serve the purpose of diplomatic efforts, said Yin.

Dialogue and negotiations are the only way out. Experts said the key parties should proceed cautiously, using any methods possible to reach a negotiated settlement for the sake of the region.

(China Daily December 21, 2006)