Threatened with UN sanctions, Iran bows to demands for nuclear suspension
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran agreed to suspend "nearly all" of its uranium enrichment-related activities as part of a deal with Britain, France and Germany in a step that eases the threat of possible UN sanctions over its controversial nuclear programme.
"We have agreed to suspend nearly all activities related to enrichment," top national security official and nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani said after late-night talks with the ambassadors of the three European Union states.
"What we have accepted virtually corresponds with what was demanded of us in the resolution" adopted in September by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rowhani said.
Diplomats at the IAEA in Vienna confirmed the UN`s nuclear watchdog had received an official letter from Iran confirming the suspension.
A close aide to Rowhani, Hossein Moussavian, said the suspension would remain in force while Iran and the European Union negotiated a long-term cooperation accord. He said these negotiations would start on December 15.
"The suspension is valid for the duration of the negotiations," he told reporters. "This is the beginning of the normalisation of Iran`s dossier at the IAEA."
He said Iran had bowed to demands that it suspend not only enrichment itself, but also activities related to it -- converting raw uranium into the feed gas for enrichment at a uranium conversion facility in Isfahan and making centrifuges used to enrich.
The EU`s "Big Three" have been engaged in tough negotiations with Iran since October in a bid to convince the Islamic republic`s clerical regime to stay in line with demands from the IAEA as it presses on with a two-year-old investigation.
While Iran insists it only wants to make fuel for a nuclear reactor to generate electricity, there are fears that once the fuel cycle has been mastered the Islamic republic could choose to enrich its uranium to weapons-grade levels.
The UN watchdog has uncovered some activities deemed suspicious, but has not uncovered a "smoking gun" that proves Iran is seeking weapons of mass destruction.
The IAEA has been waiting for Iran`s response to be able to incorporate it in a report to members ahead of a November 25 session of the agency`s 35-nation board of governors.
The meeting will decide on US-led calls for Iran to be referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions. Both the United States and Israel charge that Iran`s bid to generate atomic energy is merely a cover for a covert weapons drive.
But many states, including veto-wielding Security Council members China and Russia, have been resisting sending the dossier to New York -- fearing such a step would merely spark an Iranian pull-out from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and an end to inspections.
Top Iranian officials have threatened to halt tough inspections if the dossier was sent to New York.
And with the crises in Iraq and between Israel and the Palestinians raging on, few diplomats have shown the appetite for yet another confrontation in the Middle East.
But nevertheless, Britain, France and Germany had warned they would back the US hard line if Iran fails to tell the IAEA that it agrees to a full suspension.
The carrots the EU are said to be offering Iran are civilian nuclear technology, including access to nuclear fuel and a light-water research reactor, increased trade and help with Tehran`s regional security concerns.
Iran has consistently refused to halt its fuel cycle work, saying such activities for peaceful purposes are the right of any signatory of the NPT.
11/14/2004 - 19:28 GMT - AFP
