Russian Uranium Proposal “Not Sufficient” - Iran

MosNews
Jan. 27, 2006

A Russian proposal to carry out sensitive nuclear fuel work outside Iran to allay fears Tehran is seeking the bomb is “not sufficient” for the Iranians, a top nuclear negotiator said.

“The Russian proposal is not sufficient for Iran’s nuclear energy needs,” Ali Larijani was quoted by AFP as saying to reporters on his arrival back from China.

But the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council did add that “one can not say that it is a negative proposal” - and said talks with Moscow would continue.

“The Russian proposal has certain capabilities, but this capability is not sufficient for Iran’s nuclear technology,” he said. “We had a round of talks over it and we will do the next round.”

Moscow’s idea to enrich uranium outside Iran is seen as a way out of a growing crisis over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and has been backed as a possible solution by China, the United States and European Union.

Iran says it only wants to make nuclear fuel, although the ultra-sensitive process of enriching uranium can be diverted to making weapons

Iran first appeared cool over the Russian idea, then implicitly rejected it and then embraced it. Some Western diplomats have accused Iranians of trying to buy time and avoid being referred to the UN Security Council.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation board is to hold an emergency meeting on Iran on Feb. 2.

But Iran insists it has the right to conduct fuel cycle work as a signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), denies seeking weapons and has steadily been backing away from a voluntary suspension of fuel cycle work agreed to by its former more moderate nuclear negotiators.

On Jan. 10 Iran resumed enrichment research, prompting a new U.S. and EU push for Iran’s case to be sent the Security Council.

But Larijani warned that “any sort of haste and irrational behavior would lead to unfavorable circumstances in the region.”

Iran has threatened to resume industrial scale enrichment and limit IAEA inspections if the issue is sent to New York.

The EU has been negotiating with Iran for more than two years in the hope of convincing the country to voluntary limit its nuclear activities. A previous offer of trade and other incentives has already been rejected by Tehran.