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China confirms world powers to meet Thursday on Iran
AFP
BEIJING
Petroleumworld.com 05 31 06The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will meet on Thursday in Vienna to discuss a proposal to end the crisis over Iran's nuclear program, China's foreign ministry confirmed.
"It is true that there will be a meeting... vice foreign minister Dai Bingguo will attend," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters Tuesday when asked about reports of the Thursday gathering.
Diplomats had told AFP the five permanent members -- the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain -- and Germany had proposed, but not confirmed, the meeting in the Austrian capital.
The meeting was also slated to include European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
One European diplomat said it was being arranged to "fine-tune" a European Union-drafted package of incentives to get Iran to guarantee it will not make nuclear weapons, as well as sanctions if Tehran does not comply.
The package being put together would guarantee Iran's right to develop nuclear energy in return for Tehran agreeing to halt uranium enrichment -- work which can be extended to making nuclear weapons.
The diplomat said disagreements among the group centered around the timing of a Security Council resolution to require Iran to comply and open the door to sanctions.
Russia and China want to delay any sanctions but the United States, France, Germany and Britain want them imposed quickly following any Iranian non-compliance, according to the diplomat.
However foreign ministry spokesman Liu said Iran must work much harder to regain the confidence of the international community.
"As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran enjoys the right to peaceful use of nuclear power. But it should also fulfil its corresponding responsibility and commitment.
"It is urgently needed that Iran should fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and regain the confidence of the international community on its nuclear program."
Liu said China also welcomed the efforts made by the three European countries to try and bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
"The Chinese government appreciates the important efforts made by the three countries of the EU in order to get the package of incentives," Liu said.
Meanwhile, Iran signalled Tuesday it would study the European proposals to end the crisis.
"We have to wait and see what kind of proposal will be made. We haven't seen it yet. They have to submit it so it will be studied and we will see how it can be followed up," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters.
But Iran stuck by its refusal to halt uranium enrichment work.
"Halting or stopping enrichment is not on the agenda. The Islamic republic is continuing its activities. Enrichment is our right."
Asefi also praised the stances being taken by Russia and China.
"I should thank China and Russia's position in talks. They have shown an independent policy in meetings and publicly," he said.
AFP 30 1406 GMT 05 06
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