Germany could accept nuclear enrichment in Iran (Reuters) Updated: 2006-06-29 15:06
Jung, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian
Democrats, said he understood U.S. reservations but added that a ban on Iranian
enrichment work was unrealistic.
"One cannot forbid Iran from doing what other countries in the world are
doing in accordance with international law. The key point is whether a step
toward nuclear weapons is taken. This cannot happen," he said.
"REALISTIC WAY FORWARD"
Although all six countries that back the incentives offer would prefer that
Iran suspend its enrichment program, there is growing concern that the deadlock
over whether Iran should be allowed keep its enrichment program could prevent
negotiations with Iran from ever taking place, diplomats in Vienna have said.
The IAEA diplomat said Jung's comments were a nice surprise.
"If this position is not retracted or undermined by accusations of
going-it-alone, then it's real news," the diplomat said. "If we all want a
negotiated solution, this is the only realistic, sensible and reasonable way
forward."
Tehran has yet to respond to the offer and the United States and Germany have
called for an answer by the G8 summit in July.
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