U.S. continues efforts on U.N. resolution on Iraq, supports Saudi efforts against terrorism, urges Iran to end its nuclear program

"IMPORTANT PROGRESS" ON U.N. IRAQ RESOLUTION

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters June 2 that the United States is making "important progress" in getting the U.N. Security Council to pass a new resolution on Iraq.

According to news reports, the United States and the United Kingdom presented amendments June 1 to the Security Council draft resolution calling for the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. The amendments clarify the United Nations' role and the duration of the multinational force in Iraq following the June 30 transfer of sovereignty.

McClellan said that the United States has been involved in extensive consultations and wants to work with other countries to address issues raised about the resolution draft.

"So we're moving forward with some new language that would make it even more clear that the occupation ends come June 30th, and that the new interim Iraqi government will have full sovereignty," the press secretary said.

"It also makes clear, on the security front, that the Iraqis will continue to play an even greater role for their own security, and that they will be the ones who will eventually assume full responsibility for the security and stability of Iraq," McClellan said.

McClellan characterized the work on the resolution as "one of the next steps in the president's plan for building a free and peaceful Iraq that he outlined at the Army War College."

In his March 25 speech at the war college, President Bush detailed his five-step plan to achieve a free, self-governing Iraq. His plan included the transfer of sovereignty to an Iraqi government on June 30; help to establish the security and stability in Iraq that democracy requires; continue rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure; encourage greater international support; and move toward free, national elections.

SAUDI EFFORTS AGAINST TERRORISM WELCOMED

"I think you've seen strong steps taken by the Saudi Arabian government to crack down on terrorists," the press secretary told reporters. "They took strong action to address the situation over the weekend, and Saudi Arabia is someone we're working very closely with in the global war on terrorism."

According to news reports, Saudi commandos and security forces ended a 25-hour shooting rampage and hostage siege May 30 in Khobar in which 22 people -- mostly foreigners working in the oil industry -- were killed.

"I think earlier today they [the Saudis] had an announcement talking about some of the steps they're taking to crack down on terrorist financing, too, and we welcome those steps," McClellan said.

Adel al-Jubeir, foreign affairs adviser to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, announced June 2 that, in an effort to crack down on financing of terrorist groups, the Saudi government was dissolving an Islamic charity and creating a commission to manage private charitable work abroad.

According to media reports, al-Jubeir said the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation and other private groups would be dissolved or have their international operations and assets folded into the new Saudi National Commission for Charitable Work Abroad.

The U.S. Treasury announced simultaneously that five additional branches of Al-Haramain, which has been the target of sanctions in the past, would be placed on a terrorism blacklist because of "financial, material and logistical support they provided to the al-Qaeda network and other terrorist organizations."

IRAN URGED TO END NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Asked about the U.S. relationship with Iran, the press secretary said, "Our focus is on getting Iran to end its nuclear program, and we are continuing to work with the international community to urge Iran to take to end its nuclear programs."

According to news reports, the latest report on Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed Tehran was trying to cover up a military atomic bomb program.

Kenneth Brill, U.S. ambassador to the Vienna-based IAEA, told reporters June 2 that Iran's refusal to fully cooperate with the agency "fits a long-term pattern of denial and deception that can only be designed to mask Iran's military nuclear program."

"There's no reason they need to have a nuclear program with all their vast oil and gas resources," McClellan said.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)