Iran threatens to resume sensitive nuclear work
World News Article | Reuters.co.uk: "Iran threatens to resume sensitive nuclear work
Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:09 PM BST
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By Paul Hughes
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran warned the European Union on Tuesday it would resume sensitive nuclear activities shortly if the EU failed to recognise its right to carry out such work.
The warning, delivered by Iran's top nuclear negotiator, set up another tense showdown between the Islamic state and EU ahead of key talks expected to take place next month.
At that meeting EU negotiators are due to present a proposal on the long-term future of Iran's atomic programme. Iran, which denies seeking nuclear arms, has frozen sensitive nuclear work, like uranium enrichment, while the talks go on.
"If Iran's rights are not observed in the new European proposal ... we will resume activities at the Uraium Conversion Facility," said Hassan Rohani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran threatened to resume work at the Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan -- where raw uranium is processed -- earlier this year. But crisis talks in Geneva in May secured a two-month breathing space for the EU to come up with its proposal.
EU officials, who want Iran to scrap all nuclear fuel work in return for economic and other incentives, have warned any resumption would probably see Iran's case referred to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions on Tehran.
But Iranian negotiators, as is often the case ahead of key Iran-EU nuclear talks, adopted a tough stance.
"We have stressed to the Europeans that their proposal should address Iran's right to (nuclear) fuel production," Rohani told state television.
DELIVER PROMISES
Iranian officials said preliminary meetings between the two sides would begin on July 18 but the EU proposal would not be delivered until August.
"If the (EU) proposal considers Iran's legitimate and legal right to enrich uranium, we will continue the process (of talks), otherwise we won't accept the proposal," senior Iranian negotiator Hossein Mousavian was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
"I believe we are very close to ending the suspension (of enrichment activities). It is time for the Europeans to deliver their promises," the Kayhan daily quoted him as saying.
European diplomats have expressed concern that Iran will adopt a tougher stance on its nuclear programme once hardline president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes office on August 4.
Asked whether his foreign policy, in particular regarding the nuclear negotiations, would differ from outgoing reformist President Mohammad Khatami, Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday:
"Definitely the new government will adopt new measures which will be announced later." He did not elaborate.
During last month's election campaign the former Revolutionary Guardsman criticised Iranian diplomats for taking a timid stance in the EU nuclear negotiations.
Officials have insisted Ahmadinejad would not alter Iran's approach to the nuclear issue.
"Our macro policies are outlined by the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and the government is obliged to implement them," Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told ambassadors in Tehran on Tuesday."
Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:09 PM BST
Printer Friendly | Email Article | RSS
By Paul Hughes
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran warned the European Union on Tuesday it would resume sensitive nuclear activities shortly if the EU failed to recognise its right to carry out such work.
The warning, delivered by Iran's top nuclear negotiator, set up another tense showdown between the Islamic state and EU ahead of key talks expected to take place next month.
At that meeting EU negotiators are due to present a proposal on the long-term future of Iran's atomic programme. Iran, which denies seeking nuclear arms, has frozen sensitive nuclear work, like uranium enrichment, while the talks go on.
"If Iran's rights are not observed in the new European proposal ... we will resume activities at the Uraium Conversion Facility," said Hassan Rohani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran threatened to resume work at the Uranium Conversion Facility in Isfahan -- where raw uranium is processed -- earlier this year. But crisis talks in Geneva in May secured a two-month breathing space for the EU to come up with its proposal.
EU officials, who want Iran to scrap all nuclear fuel work in return for economic and other incentives, have warned any resumption would probably see Iran's case referred to the U.N. Security Council, which could impose sanctions on Tehran.
But Iranian negotiators, as is often the case ahead of key Iran-EU nuclear talks, adopted a tough stance.
"We have stressed to the Europeans that their proposal should address Iran's right to (nuclear) fuel production," Rohani told state television.
DELIVER PROMISES
Iranian officials said preliminary meetings between the two sides would begin on July 18 but the EU proposal would not be delivered until August.
"If the (EU) proposal considers Iran's legitimate and legal right to enrich uranium, we will continue the process (of talks), otherwise we won't accept the proposal," senior Iranian negotiator Hossein Mousavian was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
"I believe we are very close to ending the suspension (of enrichment activities). It is time for the Europeans to deliver their promises," the Kayhan daily quoted him as saying.
European diplomats have expressed concern that Iran will adopt a tougher stance on its nuclear programme once hardline president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes office on August 4.
Asked whether his foreign policy, in particular regarding the nuclear negotiations, would differ from outgoing reformist President Mohammad Khatami, Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday:
"Definitely the new government will adopt new measures which will be announced later." He did not elaborate.
During last month's election campaign the former Revolutionary Guardsman criticised Iranian diplomats for taking a timid stance in the EU nuclear negotiations.
Officials have insisted Ahmadinejad would not alter Iran's approach to the nuclear issue.
"Our macro policies are outlined by the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and the government is obliged to implement them," Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told ambassadors in Tehran on Tuesday."
posted by Greta Jane at Tuesday, July 12, 2005
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