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Reporter: Ambassador, the French Foreign Minster this morning said that any sort of resolution on Iran, that it wouldn't be possible to do it until after Al-Baredei finishes his work in December because the Russians have indicated it's, that they would not accept it. Can you give us as any indication whether as your understanding whether the Council will have to put off action until after Al-Baredei returns?

Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, um, it is our view that what Mr. Al-Baredei has done in a technical agreement with regard to questions, past questions that have remained unanswered and for the inspections to be allowed in a way that the inspectors can do their job needs to go forward, needs to be implemented. But that cannot be used as a shield to protect Iran from its violation, lack of cooperation, lack of implementation of the demands of the Security Council with regard to the enrichment of uranium Iran has been asked to suspend twice. Therefore, we believe it is important that we go forward, since Iran is not in compliance, to increase the pressure to additional sanctions through the Security Council as well as outside the Security Council to increase Iran's incentive to do so. Now there is a difference of view in the discussions that have taken place so far. There will be a meeting tomorrow, the Secretary of State of the United States will participate and with our counterparts and we'll see what happens. It is the view of the Untied States, strongly felt, that we need to move forward with regard to additional sanctions pressure, to the Security Council with regards to the enrichment part. And, this is...

Reporter: Mr. Ambassador...

Ambassador Khalilzad: One more point, please. We have to recognize, at least this is our view, that the Iranian nuclear issue, the Iranian ability to master the enrichment of nuclear, to master the enrichment technology to be able to produce fuel, that the level of enrichment that can be used for weapons is a threat to international peace and stability, it is one of the most important, perhaps one of the defining issues of our time, and we need to take appropriate measures diplomatically in a united fashion so that we increase the chances of being successful diplomatically. And those who do not cooperate on the diplomacy of this, with regards to pressure on Iran, sanctions on Iran, bear some responsibility, should diplomacy, God forbid, fail. So we will make our case strongly, and clearly, to our colleagues in the coming days.

Reporter: Ambassador, you have also said...What is your reaction...Um...Ambassador, what is...

Ambassador Khalilzad: I can only hear one person at a time, this is my limitation.

Reporter: So stay on Iran, for example. You have said that you would also like to have action pretty quickly. You've said the next few weeks are critical. Give us a little idea here. How soon might we see a text? How soon might we see negotiations begin here in New York on a serious, like E3+3 meetings? And what is your target date for an actual vote?

Ambassador Khalilzad: The Secretary of State will have meetings tomorrow. It will not be prudent for me to be very detailed with regard to that at this time. It will be good to discuss that after tomorrow's meeting.

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