EU warns Iran against its nuclear project
EUObserver: Europe has called on Iran to step back from its plan to resume the country's nuclear programme, but the Iranian leader says Tehran will not back down even if faced with international sanctions.
Britain and France have joined the US, Russia and China, their partners in the five-strong club of the UN's permanent Security Council members and delivered on Monday (9 January) diplomatic objections to Iran’s mission in Vienna.
They urged Tehran to step back from its threat to restart the nuclear research programme which, after a two-year suspension, could also involve the enrichment of uranium.
While Iran claims it needs the project to boost a peaceful production of energy, a growing number of international players fear it could be used for developing nuclear weapons.
But Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei argues that his country will not bow down to pressure, hinting that even UN sanctions would not deter the will of the people.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will not give up its undeniable rights to peaceful nuclear technology, which has been achieved by the talented youth of the country," Khamenei said to thousands gathered in the religious city of Qom, the AFP agency reported.
What exactly is to be resumed
All eyes are now set on the concrete activities to be resumed within the Iranian nuclear project, as they will influence the reaction of the international forum.
The foreign ministers from France, the UK and Germany, the trio representing the whole EU in the talks with Iran that started in 2003, might meet this week to agree on further common action, FT Europe reported.
German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday that Iran would "face consequences" if it removed UN seals on nuclear installations.
The EU might consequently cancel the meeting with the Iranian officials scheduled on 18 January, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, could trigger an initiative to refer Tehran to the Security Council.
"We are at a stage where what is happening this week could turn into a major crisis," the IAEA director-general Mohamed El Baradei said in a BBC programme last night, adding "My own patience as head of the agency is running out."
Meanwhile, Russia is carrying on in its own negotiations with Iran, concerning its offer to enrich Iranian nuclear fuel on Russian territory, a compromise in principle supported also by the EU and US.
According to diplomats, the Europeans are reluctant to move on with the UN sanctions against Tehran without Moscow's support.
Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, the current EU president, said on Monday that while he was "very concerned" about the recent developments, the time for international sanctions "has not yet arrived".
Britain and France have joined the US, Russia and China, their partners in the five-strong club of the UN's permanent Security Council members and delivered on Monday (9 January) diplomatic objections to Iran’s mission in Vienna.
They urged Tehran to step back from its threat to restart the nuclear research programme which, after a two-year suspension, could also involve the enrichment of uranium.
While Iran claims it needs the project to boost a peaceful production of energy, a growing number of international players fear it could be used for developing nuclear weapons.
But Iran's religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei argues that his country will not bow down to pressure, hinting that even UN sanctions would not deter the will of the people.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will not give up its undeniable rights to peaceful nuclear technology, which has been achieved by the talented youth of the country," Khamenei said to thousands gathered in the religious city of Qom, the AFP agency reported.
What exactly is to be resumed
All eyes are now set on the concrete activities to be resumed within the Iranian nuclear project, as they will influence the reaction of the international forum.
The foreign ministers from France, the UK and Germany, the trio representing the whole EU in the talks with Iran that started in 2003, might meet this week to agree on further common action, FT Europe reported.
German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Monday that Iran would "face consequences" if it removed UN seals on nuclear installations.
The EU might consequently cancel the meeting with the Iranian officials scheduled on 18 January, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, could trigger an initiative to refer Tehran to the Security Council.
"We are at a stage where what is happening this week could turn into a major crisis," the IAEA director-general Mohamed El Baradei said in a BBC programme last night, adding "My own patience as head of the agency is running out."
Meanwhile, Russia is carrying on in its own negotiations with Iran, concerning its offer to enrich Iranian nuclear fuel on Russian territory, a compromise in principle supported also by the EU and US.
According to diplomats, the Europeans are reluctant to move on with the UN sanctions against Tehran without Moscow's support.
Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, the current EU president, said on Monday that while he was "very concerned" about the recent developments, the time for international sanctions "has not yet arrived".
posted by Marko at 1/10/2006 08:48:00 AM
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