US, European powers close to reach consensus on Iran nuclear issue

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, November 23, 2003

US, European powers close to reach consensus on Iran nuclear issue

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The United States and the European powers are close to reach consensus on Saturday on the Iranian nuclear issue after Washington dropped its demand the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declare Iran in violation of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The United States has also dropped its demand that the issue be taken to the United Nations Security Council, according to the Austrian Press Agency (APA).

After two days of meeting, the IAEA Board of Governors on Friday adjourned until Wednesday to give diplomats more time to revise a draft resolution proposed by France, Germany and Britain.

Diplomats said that the European countries and the United States are close to reach consensus on the resolution, which will condemn Iran's concealment of its nuclear research.

"I think the United States will accept a resolution without direct reference to Iran's non-compliance with the NPT," one diplomat told reporters.

However, the diplomat said that secret and informal talks are still going on in capitals of big powers.

The governing board of the UN nuclear watchdog on Friday authorized its chief Mohamed ElBaradei to sign an additional protocol to the NPT with Iran, giving the UN body the right to conduct more intrusive nuclear inspections.

ElBaradei, IAEA's director-general, told the press that the IAEA was well prepared to sign the protocol. No concrete date has been set for the signing of the protocol.

A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the member states of the IAEA has failed to find consensus on some important elements in the new protocol related to Iran's nuclear issue.

ElBaradei said that he, as always, held the confidence that the35 board members will reach a compromise in the end.

Questions?Comments? Click here

IAEA fails to agree on resolution over Iran's nuclear

El Baradei's appraisal of Iran mixed

AP exclusive: Top Iraqi scientist flees

China slams AIT head's remarks on Taiwan issue ( 4 Messages)

Internet changes life in China: News focus ( 2 Messages)

2003, the first pageant year in China? ( 4 Messages)

US rushes to embrace strategy of "Iraqification" ( 4 Messages)

Traffic woes to ease with express thoroughfares ( 3 Messages)