Iran said ready to suspend some activities

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 9/7/04 | Goerge Jahn - AP

[NormsRevenge]

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran has agreed in principle to temporarily stop some suspect activities that its critics allege are meant to make nuclear weapons, as it seeks to blunt censure at an upcoming U.N. meeting, diplomats said Tuesday.

The diplomats, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the Islamic Republic tentatively agreed to re-impose a freeze on making, testing and assembling centrifuges used to enrich uranium.

Uranium, enriched to high levels, can be used to make nuclear warheads. At lower levels, it can generate power, which Iran asserts is the only activity it is interested in.

Iran last year agreed to freeze enrichment activities but has since resumed testing, assembling and making centrifuges. It last week confirmed a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency that it planned to convert more than 40 tons of raw uranium into uranium hexafluoride, the feed stock for enrichment.

One of the diplomats said the Iranian offer was made by Hassan Rowhani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, to Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

"Rowhani called ElBaradei to tell him that Iran is ready for a (new) freeze," said the diplomat.

Rowhani has been lobbying European nations in recent days ahead of the start Monday of an IAEA board of governors meeting that will focus on Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. officials are spearheading an effort at the IAEA board meeting to have Iran declared in violation of its treaty obligations, a move that could force the U.N. Security Council to take action against Iran.

Another western diplomat told the AP no dates or other specifics had been set by the Iranians and ElBaradei and talks continued on how to verify any renewed suspension.

Both diplomats said the renewed suspension pledge did not extend to the production of uranium hexafluoride as far as they knew.

Experts estimate that the 40 tons of uranium hexafluoride could yield more than 200 pounds of weapons-grade highly enriched uranium - hypothetically enough to make five crude nuclear weapons.

The issue of enrichment is extremely sensitive as the international community tries to determine whether Iran is using its nuclear program for peaceful purposes or trying to make weapons.

Iran agreed to suspend its enrichment program last year to try to build international trust. But that commitment eroded over the subsequent months, and Iran confirmed in July that it had resumed building nuclear centrifuges.

A third diplomat familiar with the IAEA said he was expecting a deal to be reached before Monday, when the board meeting opens.

[marvlus]

Yeah right. They're going to probably pull an Al-Sadr.

[NormsRevenge]

AFP - Iran about to renounce efforts to enrich uranium

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Iran has agreed in principle to renew a freeze of some sensitive nuclear activities in a move apparently aimed at easing pressure ahead of a U.N. nuclear watchdog meeting next week, diplomats said September 7, 2004. Details of the deal were not immediately clear and have yet to be finalized. However, two diplomats said it would include halting production, testing and assembly of centrifuges. This March 11, 2003 file photo shows workmen walking away from the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power reactor in southwestern Iran. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

A nuclear research reactor at the Iran Atomic Energy Organization's headquarters is seen in Tehran, Iran, in this June 21, 2003, file photo. Israeli officials on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, categorically denied allegations that Israel spied against the United States to get information about Iran, despite acknowledging deep concerns about Tehran's nuclear ambitions. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

[NormsRevenge]

Iran on August 22, 2004 announced a further substantial delay in the long overdue project to complete its first nuclear power plant, part of a program which Washington says could be used to make atomic arms. But the delay to the Bushehr reactor in southwestern Iran, seen in this undated handout photo, now due to come onstream in October 2006, will do little to allay international concerns about Iran's atomic ambitions which focus more on its uranium enrichment efforts. Photo by Reuters (Handout)

[NormsRevenge]

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[NormsRevenge]

Reuters - Iran Nears Deal on Renewed Nuclear Freeze

[dfwgator]

I hope this is because Putin finally got the message, and alerted the Iranians to this fact.