Iran's Response to Nuclear Offer Not Exactly Coherent
Sept. 11, 2006 — -- ABC News has obtained a copy of Iran's response to the European Union's nuclear offer from David Albright at the Institute for Science and International Security.
Albright called the response "muddled" and "lacking a coherent argument" but said it contained some reasons for optimism.
Specifically, Iran expressed some openness for talks on suspending uranium enrichment and voluntarily adhering to the Additional Protocol, which allows for expanded inspection rights by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
According to Iran's response, "The remaining issue is suspension of Iran's dossier in the Security Council during the negotiation period ... and suspension of enrichment activities by Iran through negotiations. ... Iran essentially agrees with consideration of some principles and conditions for further assurances of productive negotiations and considers that as a correct step."
Iran further states it would "facilitate the necessary working conditions for IAEA's inspections ... provide the utmost cooperation for expedition of its work, and if deemed necessary, would consider voluntary steps toward implementation of the Additional Protocol."
The difficulty, Albright points out, is that these openings are mitigated by a series of conditions, including the requirement that the United Nations Security Council and IAEA end their scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program. Nevertheless, said Albright, "nothing in the document precludes continued negotiations and eventually achieving a halt to enrichment."
Today in Vienna, the IAEA met to address the latest report on Iran's nuclear program, which highlighted several unresolved issues and Iran's continuing enrichment of uranium.
In his opening remarks, Director General El Baradei stated that "Iran has not come into full compliance" with the IAEA board's requests and has yet to "clarify important outstanding issues that have been there for over three years."
Over the weekend, it was reported that Iran was considering a temporary suspension of its uranium enrichment activities at Natanz for one or two months.
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