Vital Perspective

Iran Asks IAEA for Help on Heavy-Water Reactor; Talks on Sanctions Continue

Iran has asked the IAEA for technical aid in constructing and applying a heavy-water nuclear research reactor, the Austria News Agency (APA) reported on Monday, quoting diplomats in Vienna. The heavy-water reactor would be built at Arak, about 200 km south of Tehran. The reactor could provide 12 kg of plutonium annually after its completion in 2009. The diplomats said Iran's application would be first discussed by the IAEA's technical assistance committee next week.

According to the Charter of the IAEA, Iran's application would need to be finally ratified by the IAEA's governing board in Vienna. The diplomats said the IAEA would not be likely to provide Iran with technical support in constructing the reactor at present. However, it could be in a position to offer some assistance to help ensure the project goes ahead safely.

Meanwhile, back in reality, the P-5 + 1 is about to take up another exploratory meeting on proposed sanctions against Tehran. They'll be meeting on Wednesday. The draft they'll be discussing urges nuclear and ballistic missile-related sanctions against Iran. It also includes travel bans and financial restrictions on Iranian scientists working on the nuclear and missile programs. Russia and China view the draft as as too tough and counter-productive.

Ayatollah: Iranian Nuclear Program to Continue; Sanctions Meeting Scheduled

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that Tehran will continue its pursuit of nuclear technology and hinted it would not suspend uranium enrichment. "Our policy is clear, progress with clear logic and insisting on the nation's right without any retreat," state television quoted him as saying.

Iran dismissed media reports last week that it might be ready to freeze atomic fuel manufacturing work for 90 days to allow direct negotiations with the U.S. and other major powers. Iran had earlier suspended enrichment under a deal agreed with the EU but that deal broke down last year.

"Iran has always taken advantage of any possibility to negotiate and co-operate in the field of nuclear energy and it will continue this policy," said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on state-run television. Referring to the incentive package, he said "Iran's proposal is an appropriate framework for co-operation in the nuclear issue and the Iranian nation will continue the path of dignity with perseverance and prudence without any fear."

Western diplomats say Iran has been pushing for more talks as a stalling tactic, in order to avoid taking action. In a follow-up to last week's meeting in London, major powers are to discuss a menu of sanctions on Wednesday that could be imposed against Iran for its refusal to abandon uranium enrichment. Ambassadors at the UN are expected to take up the issue after the meeting.

U.S. Says Diplomats Agree to Imposition of 'Soft, Gradual' Sanctions on Iran

World powers have agreed to discuss possible sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program but said they are still open to negotiations. Following talks in London Friday, top diplomats from the P-5 + 1 said they were "deeply disappointed" by Tehran's refusal to stop enriching uranium.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said diplomats will now begin consulting on a UN measure that authorizes the Security Council to impose non-military sanctions on Iran. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns says the only question now is what form the sanctions will take.

The Security Council will begin informal discussions on a new resolution addressing the Iranian nuclear issue next week, and according to sources speaking with Ha'aretz, the resolution will most likely include the imposition of sanctions. A senior Western diplomat told Ha'aretz the sanctions will be "soft and gradual."

The New York Times reports that discussions would focus on a "menu of sanctions" formulated by the State Department at the beginning of the year. The list includes an embargo on transfer of equipment and replacement parts that can also be used for nuclear purposes, as well as restrictions on the movement of senior Iranian officials in several countries.

Rice Flight Delayed, Motives Questioned; No Progress Expected on Sanctions

The P-5 + 1 will convene in London later today to discuss future steps over Iran's nuclear program, but Secretary Rice's punctuality problems will inhibit any real progress from taking place. Rice will attend the meeting but will arrive an hour late due to mechanical problem with her military aircraft. The meeting will start without Rice and as a result, the foreign ministers are not expected to make a decision today on imposing sanctions against Tehran.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormick said the officials are likely to hold a conference call on Monday or Tuesday to discuss the issue further. Saying he could not predict what decision would ultimately be made, McCormack said: "At the earliest it wouldn't be until then."

Unfortunately the pace of diplomacy doesn't show any sign of quickening. Russian FM Sergei Lavrov has called for more diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said negotiations with Iran would still be possible, even when the Security Council discusses possible sanctions. Earlier, Solana said "endless hours" of talks with Iranian officials have made little progress. Interestingly, some have suggested that the mechanical failures of Rice's aircraft are a farce, and that because of Russian objections to sanctions, the U.S. wanted to avoid a potentially embarrassing result from the London meeting.

British Official: Efforts Underway for Sanctions Following Collapse of Iran Talks

The P-5 + 1 is preparing to draft UN sanctions against Iran given the failure of high level talks so far to yield an Iranian promise to halt sensitive atomic work, a senior British official said today. He said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, trying to coax Iran into halting enrichment, reported back to EU countries and the U.S. that top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani had given a clear "no".

"We are intensifying preparatory efforts for what should be in a resolution," the British official said. "Margaret Beckett was talking to her counterparts over the weekend ... Unless there is a sudden and unexpected change of heart by the Iranians, we can expect this to move to New York in the coming week or so."

"Solana reported that Larijani had made clear to him last week that Iran was not prepared to resume suspension. That's the position that President Ahmadinejad and others had been stating in public. It came through clearly from Larijani to Solana and Solana has accordingly reported back," the official said.

P-5 + 1 Back Down from Consequences for Iran, New Compliance Deadline Set

With Iran still resisting a freeze on its nuclear activities, the P-5 + 1 have decided to set yet another deadline --the fourth in as many months-- in hopes that Iran will finally agree to terms paving the way for substantive talks on its nuclear program.

Under the plan, reached by Secretary Rice and her counterparts over a late-night dinner Tuesday, Iran will have until early October to agree to suspend its nuclear activities as the negotiations take place, diplomats said. At the meeting, Rice backed off the U.S. demand that the Security Council begin imposing sanctions over Iran's failure to meet previous deadlines.

Originally, the P-5 + 1 offered to discuss an array of incentives with Iran if it froze its uranium enrichment program and demanded an answer by the end of June. That slipped to July, and then the end of August was set as the deadline in a Security Council resolution. American officials believe the deadline of the first week of October is firm, but at least one European diplomat suggested the possibility of slippage remains.

Originally, Iran was told that no talks could start until it suspended the nuclear program. Officials are discussing a change in sequence that would have talks begin without the U.S., then having Iran declare its willingness to suspend its program at the same time that action in the Security Council is halted, and then having the U.S. join the talks once the suspension is verified. Rice has said that she would attend the first meeting as the U.S. representative to the talks.

Sr. Administration Officials Discuss UN General Assembly Plans for Bush, Rice

This afternoon we got glimpse into President Bush's and Secretary Rice's plans for the opening of the 61st UN General Assembly next week. As most people are aware, Bush will address the General Assembly on September 19 and is expected to focus on events in the Middle East, on Darfur and the democracy agenda.

A senior administration official speaking on the condition of anonymity in a conference call earlier today said that among other meetings before his speech not relevant to our focus, Bush "will have a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Malaysia. This is important, aside from the substance of what they will discuss, I think, to demonstrate Malaysia is a democratic country with a moderate form of Islamic government, and the idea is here -- that is, Malaysia is a very good demonstration of how Islam and democracy are fully compatible concepts."

The speech itself on September 19 "will lay out his positive vision for the Middle East and the bright democratic future that we see for the Middle East in contradistinction to some who have an almost backward-looking vision for that region." Immediately following the speech Bush will meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

Rice will have a much more extended trip to New York. The day before Bush's speech, Rice will attend the Iraq compact conference hosted by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. On the 19th, she will accompany Bush to meetings with French President Jacques Chirac on a series of issues related to the Middle East, namely Lebanon, Iran, Sudan-Darfur and, of course, Israel-Palestinian issues. There will also be a meeting with Annan before his speech, and a dinner with the foreign ministers of the P-5 plus Germany and Italy afterwards.

The day after the speech when Bush heads back to Washington, Rice will attend an important Quartet meeting on the Middle East peace process. The following day she'll meet with NATO foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Afghanistan in preparation for the NATO summit in November. On Friday she's scheduled for another P-5 meeting as well as a meeting of foreign ministers and political directors from the G-8. At some point in the week she'll meet with Talabani as well.

EU, Iran to Meet; Foreign Ministers to Discuss Sanctions at General Assembly

Tomorrow, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will meet with Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani. Officials from delegations familiar with the first meeting said Iran had made an unofficial, tentative offer to freeze nuclear enrichment for up to two months. However, the Bush administration on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that Iran might enact such a suspension.

The foreign ministers of major powers will meet on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York next week to discuss moving forward with possible sanctions against Tehran if there has been no breakthrough by then. However, China and Russia, plus a number of European nations with significant trade with Iran, are wary of imposing sanctions and advocate giving more time to seek a possible compromise.

U.S. Pushing for Immediate Talks on Draft Resolution Language for Sanctions

The U.S. wants the Security Council to begin talks next week on a draft resolution that sets out sanctions against Iran for its nuclear activities, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said today as more talks on Iran with the P-5 + 1 continue on Monday.

"The American view is that following these discussions on Monday and perhaps some others early next week, we should move this to the Security Council and draft a (sanctions) resolution," he told reporters.

But France said there was no point in rushing the Iran issue back to the Council without any certainty that it would result in a decision. "There is not much point in going to the Security Council to display our divisions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said.

Burns, however, made it clear that Washington wanted to move fast and hoped there would be a draft resolution ready for the start of the General Assembly the week of September 18. An EU memorandum earlier this year said sanctions could include trade restrictions, freezing of assets and visa bans for officials, diplomats and scientists.

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has said that no UN sanctions will be imposed on Iran as long as talks continue on Tehran's controversial nuclear program. Solana is scheduled to meet Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani in an undisclosed location tomorrow.

Iran Cancels Meeting with EU Ahead of Berlin Meeting on Sanctions Strategy

Talks on Iran's nuclear program scheduled for today have been canceled by a senior Iranian envoy, moving Tehran a step closer to sanctions after it defied a Security Council deadline to freeze uranium enrichment. It was the third deadline in two weeks that has passed with Iran failing to declare it has stopped its enrichment program. European negotiators had persuaded the UN to allow an extension given what Tehran said was its preparedness to enter into serious talks.

The talks were to be a final attempt to see if there was any common ground to start negotiations between Iran and the P-5 + 1, but while the EU's Javier Solana had been ready to fly to the Austrian capital at short notice, the talks had been left hanging by uncertainty over whether Iranian nuclear envoy Ali Larijani would come.

"We will not have the meeting today in Vienna," Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, the chief Iranian envoy to the IAEA said. "Both sides are arranging for a couple of days later."

In Berlin tomorrow, senior negotiators from the P-5 + 1 will meet to plan their strategy on a sanctions package. In a further sign of Tehran's defiance, Iran's parliament took the first step Tuesday toward blocking international inspection of nuclear installations in case of sanctions. The measure would need approval by other bodies before it could take effect.

UPDATE 09/06 @ 14:05: Iranian state television reports that Larijani will hold talks with Solana on Thursday in Spain. Solana's office, however, said he was due to travel to Copenhagen for talks with Danish officials and would not return to Brussels until Friday afternoon. Solana's aides have said that he was ready to change plans at the last minute if needed.