Europe's major powers have agreed to set a November deadline on Iran to meet demands meant to resolve concerns that it is secretly trying to make nuclear weapons.
A new draft resolution was prepared by France, Germany and Britain for Monday's start of a key meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
The draft contains a so-called "trigger mechanism," warning of possible "further steps," which diplomats defined as shorthand for referral of Iran's case to the U.N. Security Council, The AP reported.
The draft still has to be approved by two thirds of the 35 board members. It, however, puts the three European countries the closest they have formally been to the United States on what to do about Iran.
Up to now, the European countries have spoken against U.S. attempts to have Iran hauled before the Security Council or even hint on a date for such possible action.
The draft says Iran must suspend all activities related to nuclear enrichment and must meet all requirements posed by the IAEA in its probe into Iran's nuclear activities before IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei reports to the board again in November. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
