Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Iran talks 'most detailed ever'

Source BBC News@ tienganhvui.com




The BBC's James Reynolds said Iran gave an hour-long presentation




World powers and Iran are due to resume talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, after negotiators expressed "cautious optimism" on the first day of meetings.


Iran says its proposal at the two-day summit in Geneva has the "capacity to make a breakthrough". But details are being kept confidential for now.


These are the first talks since Hassan Rouhani - seen as a relative moderate - became Iran's president in August.


The West suspects Tehran of seeking to build nuclear bombs. Iran denies this.


'Good exchange'

The discussions in Geneva bring together Iranian officials and representatives of the "P5+1 group", made up of Britain, China, France, Russia and the US plus Germany.



Previous negotiating stances


In April 2013, the P5+1 proposed that Iran should:



  • Cease uranium enrichment to 20%, a threshold that could lead to weapons capability

  • Ship most of stockpile of 20%-enriched uranium abroad, keeping some for Tehran research reactor

  • Accept a comprehensive verification regime

  • Address questions about military research activity


Iran responded by demanding P5+1 should:



  • Recognise Iran's "right" to enrich uranium

  • Ease all UN, US and EU sanctions



Speaking on the first day of talks on Tuesday, Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said Tehran had presented its proposal in PowerPoint format.


He said there was a sense of "cautious optimism" and that "for the first time, very detailed technical discussions" took place.


The Iranian team is led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, although much of the actual negotiating is said to have been delegated to his deputy, Abbas Araqchi.


Mr Araqchi said the world powers had been receptive to the Iranian plans, adding that the first day "went well".


"We had very constructive, very good exchange of views, very serious."


Late on Tuesday, Mr Araqchi held bilateral talks with US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.


The Iranian state-run Irinn news channel said Tehran was offering to reduce its level of uranium enrichment - a key UN demand.


Before the talks, Mr Zarif expressed hopes that "by Wednesday we can reach agreement on a roadmap to find a path towards resolution".


International negotiators want Tehran to take specific steps to prevent it from ever being able to make nuclear weapons, the BBC's James Reynolds in Geneva reports.


In return, they promise to lift some of international sanctions which have been imposed in recent years.


However, the West has hinted that it will be difficult to clinch a deal in just two days of talks.


Uranium pledge

Iranian media reactions



  • State-run Channel One TV: "America... has shown an inconsistent position: at times it has talked about Iran's nuclear rights, while on other occasions it has talked of the military option being on the table."

  • Hardline daily Keyhan: "The current atmosphere of romance and delusion does not reflect reality. America is not seeking reconciliation but is after destroying Iran's dignity and pride."

  • Conservative daily Javan: "The negotiating parties should keep in mind that the opportunity to reach an agreement with Iran may not arise again in the future."

  • Moderate daily Arman: "The fact that the talks are taking place and a preliminary agreement on further talks may be reached should be seen as progress in Iran's nuclear negotiations."



Western nations have demanded that Iran halt the production and stockpiling of uranium enriched to 20% - a step away from achieving a nuclear weapons capability.


They also want Iran to send some of its stockpiles abroad, and shut down the Fordo production site near the city of Qom, where most of the higher-grade enrichment work is done.


Since 2006 the UN Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions - including asset freezes and travel bans - on entities and people involved in Iran's nuclear programme.


Separate US and the EU sanctions have targeted Iran's energy and banking sectors, crippling its oil-based economy.


Iran wants the sanctions lifted.


Mr Araqchi insisted earlier there could be no question of Iran relinquishing its stockpiles of enriched uranium.


"We will not allow even a gram of uranium to go out of the country," he was quoted as saying by Iranian media.


Key nuclear sites map





Đăng ký: Tieng Anh Vui

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