NUCLEAR: CHINA AND RUSSIA IN TEHRAN FOR TALKS

Tehran, 24 Feb. (AKI) - Top Russian and Chinese officials travelled to Tehran on Friday to persuade Iran to accept a compromise proposal over its nuclear programme in an effort to avoid UN sanctions. Sergei Kiriyenko, head of the Russian atomic energy agency Rosatom, and Chinese deputy foreign minister Lu Guozeng arrived in the capital for three days of talks. Time is running out for Iran to avoid referral to the United Nations Security Council at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on 6 March.

Kirienko stressed upon his arrival in Tehran that the Russion proposal to enrich uranium for Iran on its soil "could satisfy Iranian needs and allay the fears of international public opinion."

Mehdi Mostafavi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, described as "very positive" China's involvement in the talks. China has called on Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment. But it has also repeatedly appealed for a diplomatic solution and rejected sanctions.

"Given the current situation, we don't intend to negotiate with Europe anymore, while we are totally open to China, Russia and non-aligned countries," he added.

Iran recently announced it was restarting uranium enrichment work, but insists it is interested solely in civilian nuclear power. The United States and the European Union believe Iran's programme is aimed at developing atomic weapons.