Iran Ready To Negotiate Enrichment Suspension Length

18 October 2004 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator said today his country is prepared to negotiate the length of its uranium-enrichment suspension but will never renounce its right to carry out the process which can be used to make nuclear weapons.

Hassan Rowhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, told the state television Tehran will not permit its diplomats to negotiate with European nations over its nuclear program if their goal is to deprive Iran of the right to enrich uranium.

Three European states -- Britain, France, and Germany -- are due to present a proposal to Iran this week aimed at convincing the Islamic state to give up its pursuit of uranium enrichment.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has set a 25 November deadline for Iran to suspend uranium-enrichment activities. An unsatisfactory compliance could lead to UN Security Council action.

(AFP/AP/dpa)