Iran Nuclear Watch: United States – Iran Must Suspend Uranium Enrichment During Negotiations

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana (C) and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki walk before a news conference in Tehran June 6, 2006

Reuters: Iran must suspend enrichment throughout any talks: US

The United States said on Wednesday Iran would have to suspend nuclear enrichment throughout any negotiations as a condition for proposed talks with the Islamic republic over curbing its atomic programs.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told Reuters suspension is a “firm condition” of the major powers’ offer to begin negotiations and “that condition would have to hold throughout any potential negotiations.”

“The suspension of all enrichment-related activity is at the core of what the international community is asking Iran to do,” he added.

He refused to say if a proposal by six major powers to Iran includes a provision by which it might eventually be allowed to resume enrichment on its territory.

But Western diplomats said the package of incentives presented to Iran this week leaves the door open to Tehran eventually resuming enrichment.

The diplomats, in interviews with Reuters, stressed that this would take a very long time to achieve.

“The standards (set by the major powers) are very high and Iran falls a long way short of those,” one diplomat said.

He and others stressed that it took Japan years to win international approval for its nuclear energy program, while Iran is viewed with far more distrust.

Diplomatic sources also outlined details of the offer, which was agreed on by the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany and included for the first time a U.S. offer to join European-led talks with Iran.

The major powers’ proposal, which has not been made public, also offers to provide Iran with a new facility to stockpile nuclear fuel, deletes an earlier reference in a draft to guaranteeing Iran’s “territorial integrity” and proposes an informal regional security forum, the diplomats said.

More leaks regarding the Big 6 proposal under consideration by Iran. This is the MAJOR issue which Iran will have to accept. If they do, they have SURRENDERED their nuclear weapons program.

The international community will hog-tie Iranian compliance with inspections for years, if not decades. And within this period of time, the United States will further develop anti-ballistic missile technology and no longer have troops in Iraq.

Will Iran accept?

Doubtful…….

Tick Tick Tick

Stay tuned……