Europeans continue talks with Iran over nuclear programme

PARIS (AFP) Jul 30, 2004
Officials from Britain, France and Germany were Friday continuing their talks in Paris with representatives of the Iranian government on the country's nuclear programme, the French foreign ministry said.

"The process is ongoing. Each side has set out its position and the contacts will continue," said spokesman Herve Ladsous.

The meeting, which started Thursday, came amid increasing concern about Iran's intentions after diplomats in Vienna reported the Islamic republic was defying the international community by resuming the construction and assembly of nuclear centrifuges.

Reacting to US Secretary of State Colin Powell's assertion that the UN Security Council could be convened to discuss the issue, Ladsous said: "We are in a process of consultation and concertation... aimed at finding the true nature of the Iranian programme and establishing confidence."

Under a deal reached last year with Britain, France and Germany, Iran agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, allow tougher inspections and file a comprehensive declaration of its nuclear activities.

But since then experts have found omissions in Iran's reporting, inspection visits have been delayed, and on Wednesday diplomats said seals placed on centrifuges by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been removed.

WAR.WIRE