France/Iran/US/Russia - nuclear talks

France backs Iran nuclear agreement

Article published on the 2009-10-21 Latest update 2009-10-21 17:29 TU

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei.
(Photo: Reuters)

France has put its backing behind a draft agreement drawn up by the United Nations atomic watchdog on the supply of enriched uranium to Iran. The agreement has been handed to Iran and other world powers for approval by the end of the week.  

Talks between Iran, Russia, the United States and France resulted in the deal being brokered, which has now been sent to the capitals for approval.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed ElBaradei did not reveal any details about the draft, but diplomats say it includes demands that Iran ships out its low-enriched uranium for processing by another country.

This would allay global fears that the country would use this spare nuclear material to make a bomb.

But Iran has previously said it did not want France to be part of any deal. The IAEA says France is included in this deal, but Russia is expected to take responsibility of enriching uranium to the 20 per cent levels required by Iran.

Russia may then sub-contract the processing to France, avoiding direct negotiations between France and Iran.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has called for the IAEA to get more resources and increased authority.

“Enhancing the IAEA’s capabilities to verify whether states are engaging in nuclear activity is essential to strengthening the non-proliferation regime,” she said.