November 2, 2007 LPAC--Representing the United States at the Six-nation talks at London on November 2, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, blamed Russia and China, major trading partners with Iran, for effectively blocking moves at the United Nations towards a third sanctions resolution for six months. The United States imposed economic sanctions last week and has not ruled out military action against Iran. Britain has also said it will push for a third round of U.N. sanctions.

The London meeting involved officials from five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- plus Germany. The objective of the talks was to continue with the push by the US and Britain to discuss imposing a third round of sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to stop enriching uranium. The London meeting took place at a time when Iran is having discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its nuclear program.

It was evident in London that with the exception of the United States and Britain, others were keen on first hearing how Iran's talks with the IAEA are progressing after Tehran agreed to answer questions about its past nuclear work.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 1, upon Saudi King Abdullah's return from United Kingdom, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said every effort will be made to avert a military confrontation between United States and Iran. "We have proposed a solution, which is to create a consortium for all users of enriched uranium in the Middle East," Foreign Minister al-Faisal told the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).

Indicating that Iran is considering the proposal, Prince Saud said he envisages building a plant in a neutral country. "We believe it should be in a neutral country -- Switzerland, for instance," said Prince Saud.