PolitInfo.com - EU: Time Running Out for Iran to Suspend Nuclear Program


	Topics Archive Related Sections: Headline News Top Stories Current Events

You are here:
PolitInfo.com > News & Articles >

EU: Time Running Out for Iran to Suspend Nuclear Program

Sep 1, 2005 Newport, Wales

The European Union says the nuclear standoff with Iran could end up before the United Nations Security Council, if Tehran continues uranium enrichment. The issue arose at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Britain Thursday.

EU officials say time is running out for Iran to suspend its nuclear program as momentum builds to refer the dispute to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of Britain, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said his counterparts meeting in Wales express their regret that Iran has rejected economic and political incentives in exchange for giving up enrichment of uranium that could be used to make an atomic weapon.

"All member states express deep concern at Iran's resumption of uranium conversion, which is in violation of successive IAEA resolutions," he said. "The European Union very much hopes that Iran will reconsider its position."

He said Iran is undermining confidence, and that the International Atomic Energy Agency could refer the matter to the Security Council later this month, if there is no response from Tehran.

Iranian officials say their nuclear program is solely for peaceful civilian power needs, and they have vowed not to give it up.

Another issue on the EU agenda is the opening of negotiations with Turkey on Ankara's membership in the 25-nation bloc, talks that are due to begin on October 3.

Mr. Straw says he is reasonably sure the negotiations will begin on time, despite Turkey's refusal to recognize the government in Cyprus, which joined the EU last year. He does not rule out another EU foreign ministers' meeting toward the end of September, if the deadlock is not broken.

In a separate development, the EU ministers extended their condolences to Iraq, over the stampede said to have killed hundreds on Wednesday, and to the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

This article uses material from VOA.

Related Articles:

Europeans Hold Nuclear Talks with Iranian President at UN
Key European Union foreign ministers met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the United Nations in New York Thursday in a new bid to resolve the political impasse over Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian President Condemns Interventionism, Downplays Nuclear Issue
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad condemned what he said were interventionist policies by world powers Wednesday in a U.N. General Assembly address that offered no proposals for ending the impasse over his country's nuclear program.
France Indicates Iran Could be Referred for U.N. Sanctions
France has indicated it would support referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions, if Tehran fails to meet its obligations for nuclear non-proliferation.
Iran Prepared to Ease Concerns Over Nuclear Program
Iran has reiterated its determination to develop nuclear technology for peaceful uses, saying it is prepared to remove international concerns over its nuclear program.
Report: Iran Still Years Away from Nuclear Weapons
A leading independent policy analysis group in London says Iran faces technical difficulties in producing nuclear weapons, which could take up to 10 to 15 years to overcome.
Focus: Is There An Anti-Homosexual Campaign in Iran?
The execution of two Iranian males in July and current allegations that two more Iranian men are on death row because they are gay has led to allegations of an anti-homosexual campaign in Iran.
IAEA Urges Iran to Answer Questions about Nuclear Program
The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has produced a gas needed for uranium enrichment.
EU: No Military Attack Planned Against Iran
The European Union says there is no plan to attack Iran and that the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program must be resolved diplomatically.
EU: Time Running Out for Iran to Suspend Nuclear Program
The European Union says the nuclear standoff with Iran could end up before the United Nations Security Council, if Tehran continues uranium enrichment.
French President Urges Iran to Reconsider EU Nuclear Offer
French President Jacques Chirac has urged Iran to reconsider a European offer of incentives in return for Tehran's suspension of parts of its controversial nuclear program.