Germany Optimistic on Iran Nuclear Talks

Markus Krah, Reuters:

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Monday the United States backed EU efforts to persuade Iran to give up nuclear fuel production and was optimistic talks with Tehran would succeed. ... read more

"We have ... the impression from discussions in Brussels and Germany that the American administration very much supports this (EU) position, and therefore we expect that in the negotiations we can develop sufficient persuasive power to bring the Iranian leadership to a positive attitude," Schroeder told a news conference with French President Jacques Chirac.

European diplomats in Vienna told Reuters on condition of anonymity any U.S. support would be welcome, as it could only strengthen their position in this week's talks with Iran. However, they expect no breakthroughs at a new round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, scheduled to begin Tuesday.

"The talks are deadlocked on the issue of enrichment," a diplomat told Reuters.

Tehran refuses to give up enrichment, a process of purifying uranium for use as fuel for nuclear power plants or weapons, saying it is a sovereign right it will never renounce. The Iranians have called on the Europeans to accept a compromise that allows them to keep the enrichment program in place.

But the Europeans have refused, saying termination of the program is necessary as an "objective guarantee" that Iran is not pursuing nuclear arms.

Despite its frustration with the European refusal to compromise, Iran believes a deal is possible this week.

"I'm confident that it's possible (to reach an agreement with the EU3)," Sirus Naseri, a senior member of Iran's negotiating team, told Reuters. "At the technical level it's definitely possible if the political will is there.