EU-Iran Nuke Talks Remain Inconclusive/News Int'l., Pakistan

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3//The News International, Pakistan Friday November 12, 2004-- Ramadan 28, 1425 A.H.

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2004-daily/12-11-2004/main/main12.htm

EU-IRAN NUKE TALKS REMAIN INCONCLUSIVE



TEHRAN: The crucial talks between Iran and the European Union over suspension of Tehran’s nuclear activities failed to reach a conclusion on Thursday, but the discussions will continue on Friday, said a source close to the talks.



The meeting on Thursday evening between Iranian negotiators and the ambassadors of Britain, France and Germany took place in a very positive atmosphere, the source said, requesting not to be named.



"We can hope for an imminent or otherwise a quick result," the source said, without saying what was holding up an agreement. Iran is supposed to give its response to the demands to halt its uranium enrichment in order to avoid possible UN sanctions. The terms of a preliminary accord were hammered out during the tough two-day negotiations in Paris last week.



The Europeans are pushing for Iran to accept a suspension of its work on the nuclear fuel cycle, including enrichment, to ease international alarm over its ‘covert weapons drive’. In return, the big three of the EU are offering Iran civilian nuclear technology, including access to nuclear fuel and increased trade. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which has been probing Iran for nearly two years, has told the country to respond in writing this week to the European deal if it wants its position included in a report for an IAEA meeting on November 25.


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