"(The EU) calls on Iranian authorities to cooperate fully with the (U.N. nuclear watchdog) IAEA, suspend all enrichment -related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," said a draft declaration obtained by Reuters and destined for an EU foreign ministers' meeting on Monday.
But Tehran said on Thursday its nuclear research and development program, which has already succeeded in producing low-enriched uranium suitable for power plants, would not be halted in return for any Western sweeteners.
The draft statement gave no details of that package but said: "The EU would be prepared to support Iran's development of a safe, sustainable and proliferation-proof civilian nuclear program if international concerns were fully addressed and confidence in Iran's intentions established."
Implicit in that formula is that Iran would import enriched uranium rather than produce its own, thus minimizing the risk it could produce highly-enriched bomb-grade fuel.
The EU package would expand on an offer made last August which Iran rejected. The new version is likely to contain a mix of assistance to Iran's civil nuclear program, freer trade with Europe and political incentives, diplomats say.
Meanwhile, the scandal-worn Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan as usual is attempting to pass the buck and maintain the UN's long tradition of deflecting responsibility by insisting that
"the United States come to the table and join the European countries and Iran to find a solution"U.S. Ambassador John Bolton attempted to set Annan's assertion straight by responding
"This is not a bilateral issue between the U.S. and Iran. It is an issue between Iran and the world...we see no point in direct negotiations."
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