ANKARA, April 25: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana met Wednesday with Iran's nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani in a new attempt to find a way through the crisis over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.
On his way into the meeting, Solana said he hoped “this time we will be able to move on in preparatory talks that may lead the sooner the better to meaningful negotiations.”
Before the meeting, Larijani told reporters that he and Solana would discuss “new ideas” that might be put on the table, the Anatolia news agency reported.
But Solana's spokeswoman, Cristina Gallach, said there were “no changes in the position of the international community,” and added that the priority was simply to “create conditions for the beginning of negotiations.” Diplomats said there was little hope of a breakthrough given Iran's steadfast refusal to freeze its enrichment work.
Solana will travel on Thursday to Oslo, where he will brief EU foreign ministers on his meeting with Larijani.
Iran is defying two UN Security Council resolutions to halt enrichment, and the council has imposed limited sanctions as punishment.
Diplomats said that while everyone was trying to find a formula to start talks, the two sides remain far apart in the crisis that began in 2002 when it was revealed that Iran was secretly building nuclear facilities.
But the United States, Europe, Russia and China were ready to compromise and give Iran a chance to edge its way slowly into stopping uranium enrichment, the diplomats said.
Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States last June offered economic, technical and security benefits if Iran agreed to the suspension, but Tehran pressed ahead and negotiations never started.
In several rounds of talks Larijani and Solana have failed to find a way to start meetings with the six powers.
Larijani said on Wednesday that progress had been blocked when “some unacceptable, irrational conditions were put forward” -- a clear reference to the demands that Iran suspend enrichment.
One diplomat said an idea would be for Iran to declare a moratorium on moving beyond activities it has already started, opening the way for further talks with Solana while the UN holds off on further sanctions.
Non-proliferation expert Gary Samore told newsmen on telephone from Washington that Tehran wants the EU to agree to set up an international consortium to process fuel for Iran inside the country.
The major powers want such a consortium to operate outside the Islamic republic.
A western diplomat said talks with the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany would not in any case start before Iran suspends enrichment.
“Suspension does not mean dismantling what they have built,” the diplomat said.
Tehran faces a new Security Council deadline in one month, after which more sanctions could be imposed.
The United States has not ruled out a military attack on Iran.—AFP
