UN powers meet on Iran

LONDON - The European Union and United States will today seek to persuade Russia and China to back tough diplomatic action against Iran over its disputed nuclear programme before a crunch meeting later this week.

Three days before the United Nations nuclear watchdog holds an emergency session in Vienna, at which the board could decide to send Iran to the UN Security Council, foreign ministers from the world powers will try to agree on a strategy.

The European Union -- represented by France, Germany and Britain -- and the US want to haul Iran in front of the Security Council, which can impose sanctions, but Russia and China are not convinced.

The Western nations fear Tehran will use its nuclear technology to develop atomic bombs. Iran says its programme is meant only for peaceful purposes, including power generation.

"The meeting comes at a crucial time and we will be seeking clarification of the Russian and Chinese positions," said a diplomat from the EU trio, which earlier this month called off talks with Iran.

"We are still arguing for Iran to be reported to the Security Council," added the diplomat.

Speaking to reporters en route to London, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the meeting, over a private evening dinner, would look at many issues, including referral of Iran to the Council as well as a Russian compromise proposal.

Russia has business interests in Iran as it is helping to build Iran's first atomic reactor and China relies on oil from Iran, the world's fourth-biggest exporter of crude.

On Sunday, Iran's foreign minister said negotiations were the only way to solve the dispute.

Manouchehr Mottaki urged the nations to reconsider plans for Thursday's extraordinary meeting of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He said a delay would provide an opportunity for further talks but warned escalating the case would have consequences, such as halting Iran's co-operation with the IAEA.

Also on Monday, diplomats from the EU trio will meet top Iranian officials in Brussels.

Britain says nothing short of resuming a freeze on its sensitive nuclear activity will stop it seeking a referral.

The foreign ministers will also discuss a compromise plan under which Russia would enrich Iranian uranium fuel.

Rice said that had been proposed for some time and that Iran was becoming more interested in it only because of the possible vote on sending Tehran to the Security Council.

"I think that says something about how really interested the Iranians are in the Russian proposal," she said.

Dissidents revealed in 2002 that Iran had hidden nuclear activity for 18 years, prompting western nations to take action.

Their resolve has been stiffened by Iran's calls to wipe out Israel and the EU trio's patience wore out last month when Iran removed IAEA seals from equipment that purifies uranium.

- REUTERS