U.S., Europeans discuss nuclear deal for Iran
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-13 10:02

The Bush administration, which has opposed deal-making with what it branded "axis of evil" states like Iran, is working with Europe on a plan to use threats and incentives to persuade Tehran to end its nuclear activities, U.S. and European officials said on Tuesday.

A senior U.S. official described the approach as a final effort to get Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency or face punitive action at what could be a key board meeting of the U.N. watchdog agency in November.

The official said the United States was not expected to offer any specific new incentives of its own.

But the administration is "willing to let the Europeans go back one more time to Iran and say 'fish or cut bait"' on demands to end bomb-related activities, he said.

Officials said Washington wanted a commitment from the Europeans that they would back sanctions if Iran insists on continuing its nuclear program.

On Monday, the European Union agreed to prepare a package of "carrots and sticks" to get Iran to comply with IAEA demands to suspend enrichment, which can be used to make atomic bomb fuel.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Undersecretary of State John Bolton will meet officials from the Group of Eight industrial countries to discuss the plan on Friday in Washington.

Election Issue

Bolton is a leading U.S. non-proliferation hard-liner and whether he would go along with the plan is unclear. "I would say the jury is out until Friday," one official said. If Bolton doesn't back the plan, the idea could falter.

The State Department was non-committal. The Europeans "are going to come and tell us what kind of package and discussions they've been having and we'll hear them out," spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters.

Even if Iran promised again to halt enrichment activities, the administration still believes "its past behavior merits referral to the U.N. Security Council," Boucher said.

The issue is especially sensitive in the bitter run-up to the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 2 since the EU plan would guarantee Iran access to imported nuclear fuel, something Democratic candidate John Kerry has also proposed.

Kerry has accused President Bush of letting Europe lead in trying to find a solution with Tehran as Iran's nuclear program advanced. Bush has called Iran a member of the "axis of evil," along with North Korea and pre-war Iraq.

Washington has accused Iran of secretly developing nuclear arms and has failed repeatedly to persuade the IAEA to refer the issue to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.

Tehran insists its program is for peaceful energy purposes only. On Tuesday, it appeared to slam the door on the EU's latest diplomatic overture.

Britain, France and Germany reached an accord in 2003 under which Iran promised to suspend nuclear fuel enrichment. Iran never entirely froze the program and has resumed key parts.

The evolving EU deal combines elements under discussion for some time, including guaranteeing Iran nuclear fuel from Russia, lifting a ban on exports to Iran of civilian aircraft parts and negotiating a trade agreement with the EU.

The U.S. official played down the possibility that existing U.S. sanctions on Iran could be lifted, although he noted Washington has often held out the chance of improved ties if Iran halts its nuclear program, stops undermining the Mideast peace process and ends support for "terrorism."

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