Defiant Iran says nuclear position is 'non-negotiable'

DW-WORLD.DE
Dec. 6, 2010

Diplomats from several world powers are meeting with Iran on Monday to discuss its nuclear program. Before the meeting, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said Iran’s right to seek nuclear technology was 'non-negotiable.'

Diplomats from several world powers are meeting with Iran on Monday to discuss its nuclear program. Before the meeting, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said Iran’s right to seek nuclear technology was 'non-negotiable

The first talks in more than a year between Iran and six world powers about its nuclear program started on Monday in Geneva.
Both sides are aiming at gradual confidence-building rather than a breakthrough, said analysts.
The United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and China (the so-called 5 + 1 group) are worried Iran could use its uranium enrichment plants to make fuel for warheads rather than reactors.

Iran says it is now producing uranium domestically

5 + 1 want Tehran to stop enrichment
The 5 + 1 diplomatic team is being headed by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and it is expected they will hold firm in demanding that Iran cooperate fully with the IAEA and obey the provisions of various Security Council resolutions which state that it should stop enriching uranium.

Chief negotiators Catherine Ashton and Iran's Saeid Jalili

German Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle called on Iran to take advantage of the opportunity offered in Geneva and create some necessary transparency in its nuclear program.
A nuclear-armed Iran would create "unpredictable consequences for regional and international stability," said Westerwelle.
However the civil use of nuclear energy would be tolerated, he added.
Sanctions fail
However, four rounds of United Nations sanctions have not been able to pressure Tehran's leaders to halt enrichment.
Iran says its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes. Over the weekend, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeid Jalili said Iran's right to seek nuclear technology was "non-negotiable."
On Sunday, Iran claimed to have become self-sufficient in uranium concentrate, or yellowcake. According to the Khabar news network, the first batch was produced in the Gachin uranium mine in southern Iran.
Iran's Atomic Chief Ali-Akbar Salehi said the process was made under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Author: Catherine Bolsover (dpa/Reuters)
Editor: Rob Turner