IRAN: Iran insisted yesterday it would resume uranium conversion this week after rejecting EU incentives to end its nuclear fuel work. It said it was not worried about being referred to the UN for possible sanctions.
"Although we think referral of Iran's case to the Security Council would be unlawful and politically motivated, if one day they refer Iran's case . . . we won't be worried in the least," said foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi.
Britain, Germany and France, heading nuclear negotiations with Iran for the EU, have called an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) board tomorrow to discuss Iran's case.
The EU trio say they will recommend referring Iran to the Security Council if it goes ahead with plans to break UN seals and resume work at the Isfahan uranium-conversion plant.
Iran, which on Saturday rejected an EU package of economic and political incentives designed to persuade it to halt nuclear fuel work for good, says it will restart the Isfahan plant as soon as IAEA surveillance equipment is in place.
"The European proposal has no value," state television quoted foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi as saying. "We will insist on our rights, and have decided to resume Isfahan activities as the first step of our measures. This does not mean we will stop negotiations with Europe."
German chancellor Gerhard Schröder said Iran faced economic sanctions if it refused to accept the EU proposals.
"I don't think anyone at the moment is thinking about a military confrontation," he told ARD television.
"If Iran doesn't back down one has to expect it will be referred to the Security Council. If that happens we will be talking about possible sanctions. This would not be good for either side."
Mr Asefi, speaking at a weekly news conference, said IAEA technicians would be at the Isfahan plant today to install additional cameras.
He said the 35-page EU proposal, which contained an offer of help with developing a civilian nuclear programme, was rejected because it did not recognise Iran's right to enrich uranium.
Iran's official reply will be delivered to the EU today.
Iran's new president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday called for closer co-operation with Syria in the face of pressure from the US. "The existence of common threats requires more co-operation between Tehran and Damascus," Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as saying at a joint news conference with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Mr Assad arrived earlier in the day, the first foreign leader to visit the new president.
"There is no limit for Iran and Syria's co-operation . . . Boosting the ties can protect the Middle East region from possible aggressions," said Mr Ahmadinejad. - (Reuters)