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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gulf states 'offer Iran uranium' | Gulf states 'offer Iran uranium' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gulf states are willing to set up a body to provide enriched uranium to Iran, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister is reported to have said. | Gulf states are willing to set up a body to provide enriched uranium to Iran, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister is reported to have said. |
| Prince Saud al-Faisal told the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) the plan could defuse Tehran's stand-off with the West over its nuclear programme. | Prince Saud al-Faisal told the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) the plan could defuse Tehran's stand-off with the West over its nuclear programme. |
| The prince was quoted as saying that Iran was considering the Gulf states' offer, but the US was not involved. | The prince was quoted as saying that Iran was considering the Gulf states' offer, but the US was not involved. |
| The BBC's Paul Reynolds says it is doubtful the plan will go anywhere. | The BBC's Paul Reynolds says it is doubtful the plan will go anywhere. |
| It is similar to one proposed by Russia in December 2005, which led to initially positive talks between Moscow and Tehran, but in the end led nowhere, says our world affairs correspondent. | It is similar to one proposed by Russia in December 2005, which led to initially positive talks between Moscow and Tehran, but in the end led nowhere, says our world affairs correspondent. |
| 'An interesting idea' | |
| Prince Saud said the offer came from the six states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. | Prince Saud said the offer came from the six states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. |
| "We have proposed a solution, which is to create a consortium for all users of enriched uranium in the Middle East," he was quoted as saying. | "We have proposed a solution, which is to create a consortium for all users of enriched uranium in the Middle East," he was quoted as saying. |
| The US claims Iran is developing nuclear weapons | The US claims Iran is developing nuclear weapons |
| "[We will] do it in a collective manner through a consortium that will distribute according to needs, give each plant its own necessary amount, and ensure no use of this enriched uranium for atomic weapons." | "[We will] do it in a collective manner through a consortium that will distribute according to needs, give each plant its own necessary amount, and ensure no use of this enriched uranium for atomic weapons." |
| He outlined the plan in an interview for the MEED during Saudi King Abdullah's state visit to London. | He outlined the plan in an interview for the MEED during Saudi King Abdullah's state visit to London. |
| Prince Saud said the GCC had developed the proposal to stave off a nuclear arms race in the Gulf. | Prince Saud said the GCC had developed the proposal to stave off a nuclear arms race in the Gulf. |
| Iran says its nuclear programme is for civilian energy purposes, but the US claims Tehran is developing nuclear weapons. | Iran says its nuclear programme is for civilian energy purposes, but the US claims Tehran is developing nuclear weapons. |
| Prince Saud is reported to have said: "They [the Iranians] have responded that it is an interesting idea and they will come back to us. | Prince Saud is reported to have said: "They [the Iranians] have responded that it is an interesting idea and they will come back to us. |
| "The US is not involved, but I don't think it would be hostile to this, and it would resolve a main area of tension between the West and Iran." | "The US is not involved, but I don't think it would be hostile to this, and it would resolve a main area of tension between the West and Iran." |
| The UK foreign office said the five permanent UN Security Council members - the US, China, Russia, France and Britain - along with Germany would meet on Friday in London to discuss the next step on Iran's nuclear programme. | The UK foreign office said the five permanent UN Security Council members - the US, China, Russia, France and Britain - along with Germany would meet on Friday in London to discuss the next step on Iran's nuclear programme. |