EU negotiators reject Iran's nuclear request

EU/IRAN: Iran has asked to be allowed to exclude some research and development work usable in nuclear bomb-making from a freeze…

EU/IRAN: Iran has asked to be allowed to exclude some research and development work usable in nuclear bomb-making from a freeze on sensitive atomic projects, but EU negotiators rejected the request, diplomats said yesterday

One Western diplomat said the request amounted to Iranian "chutzpah" before a meeting today of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is investigating whether Iran has a secret nuclear arms programme.

Another said it was a clear message that Tehran had no intention of ending work on producing fuel, an activity that the US believes will enable Iran to make nuclear arms.

The request followed an Iranian pledge to France, Britain and Germany last week that it would suspend its entire uranium enrichment programme and all related activities in a bid to avoid possible economic sanctions by the UN Security Council.

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"The Iranians asked to be allowed to continue conducting research and development with centrifuges during the freeze, but the Europeans told them, 'No'," a Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

"Iran has asked to be allowed to test centrifuge rotors during the freeze," said another diplomat, adding this would require permission to operate several dozen centrifuges.

The freeze, which includes all centrifuge work, took effect on Monday, though Iranian officials said it would be short. Centrifuges purify uranium to fuel power plants or weapons by spinning at supersonic speeds.

Iran's delegation to the IAEA was unavailable for comment.

The US accuses Iran of having a secret nuclear weapons programme and has threatened to press for UN Security Council sanctions.

Iran denies the charge, saying its nuclear programme is only for power generation. - (Reuters)