Gary Fitleberg, November 28, 2004

According to the Associated Press, Iran's foreign minister dampened hopes yesterday of a quick end to a dispute over the scope of his country's freeze on nuclear technology that can make weapons-grade uranium, suggesting Iran remained committed to exempting key equipment from suspension.

The squabble over Iran's interpretation of its deal with the European Union to freeze all activities linked to uranium enrichment stalled an International Atomic Energy Agency board meeting, which was adjourned for the weekend.

That was meant to give time for the Iranian government to approve a total freeze of the program - which can produce both low-grade nuclear fuel and weapons-grade material for the core of nuclear warheads - and for delegates to decide on further steps in policing Tehran's nuclear activities.

But in Tehran, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told reporters that Iran still held on to its view that it had a right to exempt about 20 centrifuges from the agreement, despite contrary views from the European Union.

Iran says it wants to run the centrifuges purely for research, something Kharrazi insisted was not banned by a November 7 agreement worked out with Germany, France and Britain on behalf of the European Union.

"The centrifuges will work under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision and will be for research purposes only," he told reporters.

The meeting was adjourned Friday to give time for a formal Iranian response by letter to the IAEA on whether the Tehran government accepts a full suspension that includes the 20 centrifuges.

As the board meeting awaited the formal Iranian response, France, Germany and Britain dangled both a carrot and a stick.

Moving to meet Iranian demands, a confidential draft resolution written by the European nations and made available to The Associated Press yesterday weakened language on how any freeze would be monitored by the agency.

But an EU official told the AP that Tehran's refusal to drop demands to exempt equipment from the enrichment suspension could prompt a much harsher resolution that could include the threat of Security Council action.

Delegates from EU countries at the meeting said that if Iran did not give in by tomorrow, the meeting could be adjourned and a new date set for fresh consultations on the board's plan of action.

A senior EU diplomat said Kharrazi's comments appeared designed to wrest more concessions on the language of the draft but added there would be no further major changes to the text.

Anticipating that Iran would honor the November 7 deal on full suspension, the original proposed resolution drafted by the three European countries had already been relatively mild, taking much of the heat off Iran after more than 18 months of IAEA scrutiny.

But Iran came to Thursday's opening day of the meeting with demands that it be allowed to operate the 20 centrifuges, which spin gas into enriched uranium.

In comments to the AP before Kharrazi spoke, senior Iranian delegate Hossein Mousavian had suggested the dispute was close to being solved, describing the demand that the centrifuges be exempted as "not an important issue for Iran."

The newest version of the draft authorizes IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei to "pursue his investigations" into remaining suspicious aspects of Iran's nuclear activities over the past two decades.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg