International > Iran Nuclear Issue May Go to the U.N.

Europeans Say Iranian Intransigence Sets Stage for Referral to U.N. Security Council

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran had pumped out that amount of uranium hexafluoride gas since resuming conversion from uranium ore last month. The gas can be spun by centrifuges into enriched uranium. Depending on the level of enrichment, that can then be used either as a source of power or as the core of nuclear weapons.

The confidential IAEA document, prepared Friday by agency head Mohamed ElBaradei, did not make a determination whether Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapon, Iran insists it wants to enrich only to generate electricity.

But David Albright, a former IAEA nuclear inspector, said the seven tons produced would suffice for one atomic bomb.

Key European nations had awaited the results of the report, setting Saturday as an informal deadline for Tehran to reimpose its freeze on conversion or face the start of a countdown culminating in a joint EU-US push to have Iran referred to the Council.

The IAEA board of governors meets Sept. 19 on the question. But Iran appeared unlikely to back down before that date. It argues that it is not breaking international law by carrying out activities linked to uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes.

Iranian state television on Friday cited Ali Larijani, Iran's point-man on nuclear issues, as saying some comments by ElBaradei were "non-legal" and were "made to lead to further bargaining" or "made under U.S. pressure."

"Iran will confine its cooperation with the IAEA to IAEA regulations and to defined international agreements," the newscaster quoted Larijani as saying.

Diplomats from EU countries accredited to the Vienna-based IAEA the U.N. nuclear monitor said talks with other board member nations geared at finding consensus on referral would begin Monday in Vienna.

They said that as the Sept. 19 board meeting grows closer, ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and EU counterparts from France, Germany and Britain, will likely get involved in drafting the language of a resolution demanding that the Security Council deal with Iran's refusal to stop uranium conversion.

A senior U.S. diplomat said Iran's choices were narrowing.

"Unless Iran stops its conversion, cooperates fully with the IAEA and returns to the (EU) negotiating table, the board should report this matter to the U.N. Security Council," he said.

A Vienna-based European diplomat said the European Union felt betrayed by Iran's move to restart enriching uranium.

"The Iranians have destroyed the basis for dialogue," he said, adding that unless the freeze on conversion is reimposed, EU member nations "don't see any option but to bring the whole question of Iran's nuclear program to the attention of the Security Council."

The diplomats talked to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they're not authorized to discuss the U,S,-EU game plan for Iran with the media.

Tehran last month rejected economic and other incentives offered by Britain, France and Germany negotiating on behalf of the EU and resumed uranium conversion.

The Europeans say Tehran broke its word by unilaterally resuming conversion while still talking with them on ways to reduce international suspicions about its nuclear agenda.

If the issue is brought before the Security Council, the council could impose sanctions on Iran although members China and Russia are believed to oppose such a move. At a minimum, the issue would receive world attention if debated by the U.N.'s top body.

"China and Russia remain to be convinced," along with nonaligned board members said the European diplomat. He said the Europeans, Americans and their allies were ready to take the issue to a vote at the IAEA board meeting, even though it usually takes such decisions by consensus.

Friday's IAEA report also said that despite more than 2 1/2 years of investigation, questions remain about key aspects of Iran's 18 years of clandestine nuclear activity and that it still was unable "to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran."

On the Net: http://www.iaea.org

2005-09-04