Kouchner: Waiting for a reply
Photo: AFP
France warns Iran: Avoid delay tactics
French FM: If Iran's reply to nuke offer aims to delay matters we won't accept it
France will not accept any delaying tactics by Iran over a UN-brokered proposal to enrich its nuclear fuel abroad, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Monday.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has drawn up plans for Iran to send potential nuclear fuel to Russia and France for processing and is awaiting a formal response from Tehran.
"We are waiting for a reply, and if the reply is aimed at delaying matters, as we believe, then we will not accept it," Kouchner told a news conference.
Earlier Monday, Iran declared that it wants a technical panel to review a UN-backed plan that envisages sending most of its uranium stockpile to Russia for enrichment, limiting the country's ability to make a nuclear weapon.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday that Iran conveyed its stand to the International Atomic Energy Agency two days ago. Mottaki is in Malaysia to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of eight Islamic countries.
