UNÂ’s Ban worried about IranÂ’s nuclear progress
ROME, ITALY - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is worried about Iran's nuclear program but hopes a stand-off with the international community can be resolved through dialogue, he said in comments published in Italy.
The West believes Iran is seeking to build an atomic bomb while Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. It recently appointed a new negotiator widely seen as taking a tough line in international talks intended to head off an intensification of existing U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Asked whether he was concerned about Iran's nuclear program, he told the newspaper La Stampa: "Yes, I'm very worried about Iran's nuclear progress.
"I hope that, even with the change in negotiators, things can move forward; it is important to continue negotiating with Iran."
Ban said he had met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad briefly during the recent U.N. General Assembly, and was prepared to meet him privately if necessary.
"I have said with great urgency on many occasions that the differences can be resolved through peace, through dialogue; a war or military action is not desirable in any way," Ban said.
The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran, partly over its nuclear program, and has refused to rule out military action.
Political directors from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain - and Germany are expected to meet in Europe to discuss imposing a third round of U.N. sanctions.
Related News

Alberta is a powerhouse for both green energy and fossil fuels
CALGARY - By Chris Varcoe, Calgary Herald
A few things are abundantly clear about the state of renewable energy in Alberta today.
First, the demise of Alberta’s Renewable Electricity Program (REP) under the UCP government isn’t going to see new projects come to a screeching halt.
In fact, new developments are already going ahead.
And industry experts believe private-sector companies that increasingly want to purchase wind or solar power are going to become a driving force behind even more projects in Alberta.
BluEarth Renewables CEO Grant Arnold, who spoke Wednesday at the Canadian Wind Energy Association conference, pointed out the sector is poised to keep…