Europe hard on Iran nukes

VIENNA – Iran pressed the United Nations not to punish it for keeping nuclear secrets but diplomats at the UN atomic energy watchdog in Vienna proposed a new draft resolution yesterday that retained a sharp rebuke to Tehran.

In a letter to the leaders of Britain, Germany and France, Iranian president Mohammad Khatami accused Europe’s three big powers of working with Tehran’s arch-foe, Washington, to pile pressure on the Islamic Republic, which, the United States says, is trying to develop nuclear weapons. After a day of backroom talks on the text, the trio circulated a revised draft resolution on Iran to members of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board of governors that “deplores” Iran’s inadequate cooperation with the IAEA.But one diplomat on the board described the changes to the original draft as “cosmetic”.The IAEA is the UN body charged with policing treaties on the use of nuclear technology.”Continuation of this behaviour under the pressure of America will seriously harm mutual trust and Iran’s cooperation with the international community on Iran’s use of peaceful nuclear technology,” Khatami warned in the letter to Europe’s big three, extracts of which appeared in the Sharq newspaper.”Continued unfriendly behaviour and ignorance of undertakings, will push Iran to consider its different options.”While Iran had wanted the European trio to soften the draft text, diplomats said Washington wanted it harsher, with a deadline for Iran to come clean about its atomic plans.This would keep the pressure on Tehran and open the door to a future report to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.Earlier in the day president Khatami warned Europe’s three big powers that Iran’s future cooperation with UN nuclear inspectors may be at risk if criticism of Tehran’s nuclear programme persists.”Continuation of this behaviour, under the pressure of America, will seriously harm mutual trust and Iran’s cooperation with the international community on Iran’s use of peaceful nuclear technology,” Khatami warned in the letter.- Nampa-AFP-ReutersAfter a day of backroom talks on the text, the trio circulated a revised draft resolution on Iran to members of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board of governors that “deplores” Iran’s inadequate cooperation with the IAEA.But one diplomat on the board described the changes to the original draft as “cosmetic”.The IAEA is the UN body charged with policing treaties on the use of nuclear technology.”Continuation of this behaviour under the pressure of America will seriously harm mutual trust and Iran’s cooperation with the international community on Iran’s use of peaceful nuclear technology,” Khatami warned in the letter to Europe’s big three, extracts of which appeared in the Sharq newspaper.”Continued unfriendly behaviour and ignorance of undertakings, will push Iran to consider its different options.”While Iran had wanted the European trio to soften the draft text, diplomats said Washington wanted it harsher, with a deadline for Iran to come clean about its atomic plans.This would keep the pressure on Tehran and open the door to a future report to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions.Earlier in the day president Khatami warned Europe’s three big powers that Iran’s future cooperation with UN nuclear inspectors may be at risk if criticism of Tehran’s nuclear programme persists.”Continuation of this behaviour, under the pressure of America, will seriously harm mutual trust and Iran’s cooperation with the international community on Iran’s use of peaceful nuclear technology,” Khatami warned in the letter.- Nampa-AFP-Reuters