Six powers to discuss Iran in Paris on Thursday
Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
17:00GMT—12:00PM/EST
5+1 – MEETING – IAEA
Washington, 11 November (IranVNC)—Diplomats from six major powers will meet in Paris on 13 November in Paris to discuss the next steps toward persuading Iran to abandon its sensitive nuclear work, a European diplomatic source told Reuters today.
The six countries – the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – have offered Tehran a package of incentives in exchange for Iran’s suspension of uranium enrichment.
Last week, Iran said that it had received a letter from European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, calling for continued talks between Iran and the six powers – known as the P5+1.
Solana is representing the six in their negotiations with Iran.
The news of this week’s meeting comes as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] today said that the willingness of US President-elect Barack Obama to talk to Iranian leaders could make Iran “more forthcoming” in its interactions with the agency.
“If there is a direct dialogue between the United States and Iran, I think Iran will be more forthcoming with the agency,” Reuters quoted IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei as saying at a news conference in Prague today.
He continued: “[A] political opening will also convince Iran to work with us to solve remaining technical issues.”
The IAEA, in its latest report on Iran’s nuclear program, said that it had not resolved questions about Western intelligence allegations that Tehran had carried out nuclear weaponization studies.
The West fears Tehran’s nuclear program is aimed at building a nuclear weapon. Iran denies the accusation, saying its program is only for the production of civilian nuclear energy.
Late last month, tensions grew between the U.S. and Russia when Washington imposed sanctions against Russia’s main arms exporter for alleged sales of restricted materials to Iran.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the sanctions would affect talks between the 5+1 group and Iran.
Sources: Reuters, Agence France-Presse
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