China calls on Iran to cooperate with IAEA

[Nutmegger]

BEIJING (Reuters) - China called on Iran on Tuesday to step up its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as world powers raise pressure on Tehran to curtail its nuclear program.

But Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing repeated China's line that dialogue and negotiation should be favored over sanctions to urge Iran to rein in its nuclear program, which the West fears could be used to make weapons.

China is facing pressure from Washington and other Western capitals to back a stronger U.N. Security Council resolution against Iran.

"We hope all international efforts will be conducive to the early resumption of diplomatic negotiation to resolve the Iran nuclear issue," Li told a news conference on the sidelines of China's parliament.

Full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK33361120070306

[Eugene]

1. AP: Iran Offers to Negotiate With U.N.

Associated Press
Iran Offers to Negotiate With U.N.
By GEORGE JAHN 03.06.07, 12:29 PM ET

Iran offered Tuesday to clear up suspicions about its disputed nuclear activities
if the Security Council ends its "interference," in an apparent attempt to head off
new sanctions for its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment.

The overture, contained in a restricted document made available to The Associated
Press, came as the five permanent council members deliberate on a new resolution
aiming to tighten up the sanctions against Iran for its nuclear defiance.

The document - a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency - said Iran was
ready to "negotiate ... for the resolution of outstanding issues with the IAEA ...
without the interference of the United Nation(s) Security Council."

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/03/06/ap3489748.html

[Scurrilous]

2. Iran starts building home-made atomic plant: agency

<snip>

"Iran has started construction of a domestically built nuclear power plant, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Iran's first atomic power station is being built by Russians but is not yet complete. Iran, embroiled in a row with the West over its nuclear programme, has previously said it planned to build power stations on its own.

"At the demand of the president (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad), the construction of the first domestic nuclear power plant with capacity of 360 MW has started," Atomic Energy Organization chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh was quoted by ISNA news agency as saying. He did not give further details."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070306/wl_nm/iran_nuclear_plant_dc_1

[Rainscents]

3. Anyone who can pressure Iran would be, China.

China and Iran has good relationship.