Bush Urges Iran To Abandon Nuclear Ambitions

U.S. President George W. Bush (file photo) (epa) May 4, 2006 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has demanded that Iran give up nuclear weapons ambitions "for the sake of world peace."

Bush made the comment yesterday following talks at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Bush and Merkel said it was important for the international community to stay united in the drive to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Their meeting came as Britain and France, backed by the United States, introduced a UN Security Council resolution demanding Iran suspend uranium enrichment that the West suspects is part of a secret nuclear weapons program.

China's UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said the current draft "will not produce good results."

Russia's new UN Ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said he hoped for a vote before foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany meet in New York on May 8 and 9. He also reiterated his country's opposition to sanctions.

(Reuters)