European powers were pushing in October 2004 to persuade the United States to join a coordinated offer of incentives aimed at convincing Iran to halt uranium enrichment, according to diplomats speaking in Vienna. The proposal, led by Britain, France and Germany, could include supplying Iran with imported nuclear fuel in exchange for a full suspension of its domestic fuel-cycle work.
A deadline loomed at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 25 November board meeting, by which Iran was expected to suspend enrichment and fully answer outstanding questions about its nuclear program. G8 officials and American representatives were scheduled to meet in Washington that Friday to discuss the matter.
The Bush administration had declined to offer Tehran any inducements, insisting Iran first renounce nuclear weapons ambitions before technology transfers or sanctions relief could be considered. Washington preferred bringing Iran before the UN Security Council for possible sanctions over its concealed nuclear activities.
Iran's foreign minister, Kamal Kharazi, demanded the Europeans present concrete proposals respecting Tehran's right to civilian nuclear technology, while ruling out any negotiated surrender of enrichment rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Diplomats noted that American electoral politics were complicating a unified response, with one source saying clarity on the major powers' collective position would come only after the 2 November US presidential vote.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in October 2004, in its own words.