US / Europeans discuss Nuclear Deal for Iran by New York Times / Reuters 1:06pm 13th Oct, 2004   October 13, 2004    Europe in nuclear approach to Iran (The New York Times)    The Bush Administration is holding talks with its European allies on a possible package of economic incentives for Iran. It would propose access to imported nuclear fuel, in return for Iran's suspension of uranium enrichment activities that are alleged to be part of a nuclear arms program.    European and American diplomats said on Monday that although the US had not endorsed any incentives for Iran, it was not discouraging Britain, France and Germany from assembling a package that the US Administration would consider after the presidential election on November 2 for presentation to Tehran.    Any support for a package of incentives, even if it is to be offered only by the Europeans, would indicate a significant shift in the Bush Administration's policy of demanding penalties, and not offering inducements, to get Iran to halt activities that are said to be for a nuclear arms program.    European diplomats said that the US Administration was very squeamish about even discussing incentives, partly because it would represent a reversal of policy that would provoke a vigorous internal debate, and partly because John Kerry, the Democratic candidate, has made Iran an issue in the presidential campaign by criticising the Administration for its failure to work more closely with European nations.    Senator Kerry has said that if he is elected he will endorse a deal under which Iran is supplied with civilian nuclear fuel under tight restrictions and would press for sanctions if Iran refused.    Under prodding from Washington, the International Atomic Energy Agency has set late November as a deadline by which Iran must comply with demands that it do more to disclose its nuclear activities. The US wants to send the matter to the United Nations Security Council for discussion of sanctions if Iran fails to comply.    Oct 12, 2004    "Russia against EU 'Carrots and Sticks' Plan on Iran", by Maria Golovnina. (Reuters)    Moscow (Reuters) - Russia thinks EU proposals for threats and incentives to make Tehran halt sensitive nuclear work would be ineffective, a Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday.    European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to prepare a plan to encourage Tehran to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog in what Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller described as "a package of carrots and sticks."    EU ministers urged Russia, which is building an atomic plant in Iran despite strong U.S. criticism, to join the initiative. But a source in Russia's Foreign Ministry said it was for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate whether Iran was secretly developing nuclear arms. "I would not say it is appropriate to advocate the carrots and sticks approach," the source said. "(Russia's foreign) minister has confirmed our position, stressing that it is in Iran's interests to cooperate with the agency on all these questions. That is our position." Russia has yet to formally comment on the EU initiative.    Earlier this week Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran, Moscow's key partner in the Middle East, for talks insiders said were aimed at persuading Tehran to suspend all sensitive nuclear activities. Russia's nuclear authority, which has most regular contacts with Tehran and is directly involved in construction of the $800 million Bushehr plant, seemed more upbeat on the EU proposal.    "We are ready to discuss these initiatives. If the European Union is ready to offer something in exchange for more transparency from Iran, then we can only welcome that," said a source at Russia's Atomic Energy Agency.    Russia has long maintained that Iran, accused by the United States of seeking nuclear arms, has an entirely peaceful nuclear program and that it cannot use Moscow's atomic know-how to make weapons. Iran says the same. Nevertheless Russia's stance on Iran toughened last month after Tehran threatened to defy a call by the IAEA for it to stop work on enriching uranium -- a process that can be used to develop nuclear weapons.    The IAEA board is due to meet on Nov. 25 in Vienna to decide whether to refer Tehran to the U.N. Security Council, where Moscow has a permanent seat and veto rights. The Bushehr project is a major irritant in Russia's ties with the United States, which has called on Moscow to ditch it.    © Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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