Vienna, Austria - Senior negotiators for Iran and the European Union reported
progress Saturday at talks meant to find common ground for resolving Tehran's
defiance of a UN demand that the Islamic republic freeze uranium enrichment or
risk sanctions.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani
talks to the press after the meeting with European Union foreign policy
chief Javier Solana at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Saturday,
September 9, 2006. Solana and Larijani met in Vienna in a crucial effort
to kick-start negotiations hampered by Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium
enrichment. [AP Photo] |
In an encouraging sign, the two sides agreed to hold further discussions
Sunday.
"We had some good and constructive talks and we have made some progress in
some areas, and we shall continue ... tomorrow," chief Iranian nuclear
negotiator Ali Larijani said, speaking through an interpreter.
Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy
chief, confirmed that more talks would be held Sunday. "The feedback from the
table is that the talks have been constructive and positive," she said.
The discussions have been billed as possibly the last chance for Iran to
avoid sanctions for rejecting the UN Security Council's demand that it suspend
its uranium enrichment processes, which can be misused to make nuclear bombs.
Being held at the Austrian chancellor's office, the talks are looking for a
basis to open negotiations between Iran and six world powers that have offered a
package of economic and diplomatic incentives meant to persuade Tehran to limit
its nuclear program.
The five permanent Security Council members, the United States, China,
Britain, France and Russia, along with Germany have demanded that Iran halt
enrichment as a condition for the talks, but the Iranians have steadfastly
refused to do so.
With the two side seemingly so far apart, hopes for success had been slim for
the mission by Solana, who is formally authorized by the six powers to carry
their message and listen to the Iranians, without actually negotiating.
Still, positions appeared to have shifted slightly.
European officials who insisted on anonymity suggested that at least some of
the six nations were at least ready to listen if Iran committed itself to an
enrichment freeze soon after the start of negotiations instead of doing so as a
condition for such talks.
The officials declined to provide details. But such a readiness would deal a
blow to US-led attempts to hold fast to the demand that Iran freeze enrichment
before any talks commence, or face the prospect of Security Council sanctions.
One of the officials said Solana discussed the issue with US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice before going into the meeting but declined to offer
details.
As late as Friday, US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said Washington
expected the Security Council to start discussing a draft on sanctions as early
as next week unless Tehran reversed course and agreed to freeze enrichment.
But there might be opposition to that within the council. Russia and China
have resisted a quick move to sanctions while agreeing to them as the
ultimate punishment.
And French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy on Thursday appeared to
suggest the demand on freezing enrichment first and talking later was
negotiable. "The question is to know at what moment this suspension takes place
compared to negotiations," he said.
He later appeared to reverse himself, saying in separate comments that
suspension "is an absolute prerequisite for restoring trust and resuming
negotiations."
A European diplomat said the mixed signals seemed to reflect that a sizable
number of countries within the 24-member EU oppose a quick move to sanctions,
even though Britain, France and Germany formally represent the bloc within the
six-nation negotiating group.
China, meanwhile, repeated on Saturday its stance that patience was needed in
dealing with Iran.
During a meeting with EU leaders in Finland, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged
Tehran "to make constructive steps" toward ending the standoff, but added: "Our
purpose is that the nuclear issue of Iran will be settled peacefully."
Burns had dismissed suggestions of cracks in the six-power coalition on when
Iran should commit to enrichment Friday, a day after those six countries ended
confidential discussions on Iran in Berlin.
Outlining the US view of the timetable on Iran, Burns said the six nations
would consult further by phone Monday and hoped to present a unified approach on
sanctions to their foreign ministers by the time the UN General Assembly opens
Tuesday.
"The American view is that following these discussions on Monday and perhaps
some others early next week, we should move this to the Security Council and
draft a resolution" on sanctions, he said.
Iran says it wants to develop an enrichment program to produce fuel for
nuclear reactors that generate electricity. But there are growing concerns it
seeks enrichment technology to make weapons-grade uranium for the core of
warheads.
The six powers agreed on a package of economic and political rewards in June
to be offered to Tehran, but only if it stops enrichment before the start of
negotiations aimed at a long-term enrichment moratorium.
But the international alliance also warned of punishments, including UN
sanctions, if Tehran did not halt enrichment, something Iran refused to do by
the Aug. 31 deadline set by the Security Council.
