Britain Says No Alternative To Iran Nuclear Talks

19 January 2005 -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said there is no alternative to diplomacy to persuade Iran to give up technology that could be used to make nuclear weapons.

In an interview in today's "Financial Times," Straw defended the policy pursued by Britain, France, and Germany. The European Union's so-called Big Three have offered Iran incentives like trade deals if it gives up plans to build nuclear weapons.

Straw's published comments come two days after U.S. President George W. Bush said he would not rule out military force against Iran over its nuclear program.

Washington accuses Iran of trying to make nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is only for generating electricity.

(Reuters)