US, EU tentatively back Russian atom plan for Iran

By Francois Murphy

VIENNA (Reuters) - A Russian plan aimed at satisfying the world that Tehran's atomic aims are peaceful has won tentative backing from the United States and the European Union's top powers, diplomats said on Thursday.
Under the proposal, supported by France, Britain and Germany, known as the EU3, and Washington, Iran would keep part of its atomic fuel production program if the most sensitive part, uranium enrichment, was scrapped and moved to Russia, diplomats say.
U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei, who supports the compromise, said he hoped a deal would be reached soon.
"He hopes that in the coming days the international community will be able to coalesce around a solution that is acceptable to all parties, including Iran," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement.
Diplomats, however, were skeptical that Iran would join the proposed Russian joint venture, as that would mean Tehran renouncing enrichment, which it says it will never do.
Enrichment purifies uranium for use as fuel in power plants or, if it is enriched further, for use in bombs.
"What ElBaradei said may be wishful thinking," an EU3 official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "Perhaps the Iranians will make a deal with us, but I think we will be surprised if that happens."
Tehran denies accusations from Washington that it is trying to build nuclear weapons under cover of its atomic power program.
TALKS GO ON
The details of a proposal were, however, still being negotiated, diplomats said.
"There is no U.S.-European proposal to the Iranians. I want to say that categorically," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters en route from Washington to the Middle East.

I think this is a great idea because you can always trust The Russians to do the right thing! After all that's happened in the news you know that any backing from France and Germany means someones going to get rich from this. How can you go wrong! LMAO!!! The Ayatollah Khomeini would be proud.....

You know by not agreeing with this you are hurting Islams spirit!?!? LOL



"Iran would keep part of its atomic fuel production program if the most sensitive part, uranium enrichment, was scrapped and moved to Russia, diplomats say."

Well that's a relief.... I guess the Russians will just sell them missles made from the enriched uranium then, problem solved... LOL