IRAN: British, French and German Foreign ministers headed to Iran yesterday with a proposal aimed at persuading Tehran to dispel fears that its nuclear programme is part of a secret bid to make atomic bombs.
"Resolving the doubts surrounding Iran's nuclear programme is of grave concern to the European Union and wider international community," said British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw in a statement.
Diplomats said the key issue in today's talks would be whether Iran insisted on continuing its plans to master the entire nuclear fuel cycle, including enriching uranium. "This is where the toughest discussions are likely to focus," one diplomat said.
The EU ministers will meet President Mohammad Khatami, Foreign Minister Mr Kamal Kharrazi and Supreme National Security Council chief Dr Hassan Rohani, diplomats said.
A senior Iranian official hinted for the first time on Sunday that Tehran could mothball uranium enrichment facilities it began building in 1985. Some Western powers fear they could be used to produce weapons-grade uranium.
Asked by reporters if Iran was prepared to stop enriching uranium, President Khatami said: "We will do whatever is necessary to solve the problems."
He was speaking less than two weeks before expiry of an October 31st UN deadline for Tehran to disprove US-led allegations it is conducting a covert nuclear arms programme.
UN inspectors have found arms-grade enriched uranium at two Iranian facilities this year, but Iran blames this on contamination from machinery it bought on the black market. Low-grade enriched uranium is used as fuel in atomic reactors but highly enriched uranium can be used to make atomic weapons.
Diplomats said the EU ministers would demand that Iran co-operate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accept tougher UN inspections and halt uranium enrichment.
In return, the ministers would offer to recognise Iran's right to a civilian nuclear energy programme, give some technical assistance and guarantee Iran's access to imported fuel for nuclear power plants.
"It [the EU ministers' proposal\] would sugar the bitter pill that Iran would have to swallow," one diplomat said.
"Of course, if they fail to reach an agreement it would send a powerful message that Iran is not co-operating to the next IAEA board meeting," which is on November 20th.
IAEA chief Dr Mohamed ElBaradei has warned that Iran's case may go to the UN Security Council if he is unable to verify by November that Iran has no intention of building nuclear arms.
Dr ElBaradei was given assurances during a visit to Tehran last week that Iran would answer all of the IAEA's outstanding questions and was willing to accept tighter inspections.
A breakthrough would be a major coup for the three EU powers, whose opinions on the US-led war in Iraq differed markedly. It was not clear whether their initiative was backed by Washington, which has tended to frown on any deal-making with Iran's clerical leaders.