Nov. 21, 2006, 12:05AM
U.S. to accept all but one of Iran's nuclear work requests
By GEORGE JAHN
Associated Press
VIENNA, AUSTRIA — The United States said Monday it would accept Iran's request for U.N. aid on seven nuclear projects but urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to deny assistance for a plutonium-producing reactor that can be used to make a bomb.
The decision reflected U.S. recognition that it was futile to try to block IAEA help to Iran on all eight projects because of opposition by most of the agency's 35-nation board. It also appeared prompted by an IAEA ruling that neither the reactor nor the other projects posed a proliferation threat.
Some diplomats accredited to the Vienna-based U.N. nuclear watchdog agency also suggested it could reflect a U.S. decision to tread relatively lightly while Washington weighs the possibility of direct dialogue with Iran on reducing violence in Iraq.
The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the closed meeting.
U.S. officials declined comment.
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