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Iranian Delegation To Visit Moscow For Nuclear Talks

15 February 2006 -- Reports say an Iranian delegation will fly to Russia on 20 February to discuss Moscow's offer to enrich uranium for Iran's nuclear reactors on Russian soil.

The proposal is aimed at allaying international fears that Iran may be seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

The meeting of Iranian and Russian officials had originally been scheduled for 16 February. On 14 February, Iran confirmed it had restarted uranium enrichment activities.

Speaking to European Union lawmakers in Strasbourg, France on 15 February, EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini urged Tehran to accept the Russian plan.

"If Iran returns to a suspension of its enrichment activities and accepts the Russian proposal, the [UN] Security Council track may not prove necessary," Frattini said.

The UN nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reported Iran to the Security Council on 4 February because of Tehran's failure to address international concerns about its nuclear program.

The Security Council is expected to consider taking steps against the country after the IAEA issues another report on Iran on 6 March.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated Moscow's opposition to possible UN sanctions against Iran, saying on 15 February that he does not believe they would achieve anything.

(Interfax, Reuters, AP)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org