IRAN: Iran has again threatened to start full-scale uranium enrichment if reported to the UN Security Council, while signalling interest in a Russian proposal aimed at calming its nuclear row with the West.
The council's five permanent members plus Germany plan to meet in London on Monday to try to resolve differences over whether to send Iran to the council at a crisis meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog on February 2nd, diplomats said. They said foreign ministers of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany would seek a consensus before the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gathers in Vienna to consider what to do about Iran.
The US and its EU allies say it is time for the IAEA to turn Iran's nuclear dossier over to the Security Council. China and Russia have urged caution.
A senior US diplomat suggested a nuclear co-operation deal with India could collapse unless New Delhi votes against Iran next month at the IAEA. So far India has been non-committal.
If India failed to vote against Iran, "the effect on members of the US congress with regard to the civil nuclear initiative will be devastating", said the US ambassador to India, David Mulford. UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said he doubted any decision on referral could be reached at next month's meeting.
Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his country would immediately halt voluntary dealings with the IAEA, which include snap checks on its atomic sites, if sent to the council.
Iran, going beyond its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations, allows impromptu inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Mr Mottaki urged Britain, France and Germany to renew talks they halted this month when Iran removed UN seals on uranium enrichment equipment and resumed nuclear fuel research.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said after talks in Moscow that he was positive about the idea of setting up a joint venture with Russia to purify uranium on Russian soil. The proposal aims to prevent Iran gaining technology that could be used for military purposes.
Iran says it does not want atomic bombs, but has the right to enrich uranium at home. - (Reuters)