China Hides Intentions Behind UN

By Stanford Matthews
Blog @ MoreWhat.com

There is reason to believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin longs for the days when they were an undisputed superpower. The recent strain with President Bush over missile defense in Europe and the former Soviet Bloc may just be another symptom that relations between the two countries are not well. Ending up on opposite sides of most arguments at the UN at least signal vastly different international objectives. But that may pale in comparison to the maneuvering of China and their use of the UN and 'diplomatic' efforts in regard to the hostile positions of Iran.

China urges diplomacy on Iran standoff

By EDITH M. LEDERER, AP
Tue Jul 3, 6:49 PM ET

UNITED NATIONS - China called Tuesday for stepped up diplomacy rather than new sanctions to try to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and rein in its nuclear program.

U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya spoke after the United States started discussions on a third round of tougher sanctions against Iran for refusing to freeze enrichment and China's opposition signaled a tough fight ahead in the Security Council for Washington and its European allies.

Well of course China prefers meaningless negotiations with a country quite comfortable ignoring demands from the international community that they cease their nuclear ambitions and agree to oversight by outside sources. The concern over China's thirst for oil as well as major economic expansion with nearly the same disregard of complaints as that shown by Iran are well founded. China as well as India are feverishly working out energy arrangements with Iran. Iran is in no position to ignore these overtures as their infrastructure and other internal problems are straining their economy and social stability. Just the kind of stress that has preceded other world conflicts resulting in war.

This pattern did not just develop. Here's a little reference on the subject from several years ago.

China and India wrestling for Iran's oil

Last Updated(Beijing Time):2004-11-22 09:12

As the fight between China and Japan and that between China and Vietnam for petroleum is still pending, India, a future big oil consumer, is competing with China for oil supply from the Middle East, especially Iran, which is beyond the control of the U.S.

And the opinions on the topic are showing no significant change while answers to solve these problems are long in coming. Perhaps some of the world's usual suspects for conflict and tension should understand they are not the only game in town.

Developing Asian nations pose an even greater challenge for U.S. efforts to isolate Iran. Both the China National Petroleum Corporation and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation recently announced plans to develop major liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, respectively in South Pars and in North Pars. China's other major oil company, Sinopec, hopes to develop the Yadavaran oil field, which is expected to produce 300,000 barrels a day by 2010.

The most concerning news comes out of India, a country that is actually helping Iran alleviate its gasoline problem. It not only supplies some 15 percent of Iran's gasoline imports, but an Indian business conglomerate, the Essar group, is negotiating the construction of a 300,000 barrel per day refinery in southern Iran. Two years ago, New Delhi also signed a $40 billion LNG deal with Iran. India's domestic natural gas supply meets barely half its demand. Iran, which is geographically close to India, is a natural supplier. Tehran, which now wants to become India's exclusive natural gas supplier, is pushing for the construction of a $7 billion gas pipeline deal that would connect the two countries via Pakistan. This would make one billion Indians dependent upon one of the world's most radical regimes.

(source)

Other nations in world beyond Iran, India and China may find opposing the US and its efforts in foreign affairs are not really in their own best interests. If they believe the US is difficult to deal with they may be sorely surprised at the new found arrogance of the three just mentioned. It seems most reports go out of their way to ignore these particular implications.