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EU and Iran in key nuclear talks EU and Iran in key nuclear talks
(about 3 hours later)
EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, is to meet Iran's top nuclear negotiator just hours before reporting to the UN on the Iranian nuclear issue. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is meeting Iran's top nuclear negotiator just hours before reporting to the UN on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Mr Solana will meet Saeed Jalili in London in talks correspondents say may determine whether the US and its allies press for more sanctions on Iran. Mr Solana is meeting Saeed Jalili in London in talks correspondents say may determine whether the US and its allies press for more sanctions on Iran.
The UN has demanded Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme.The UN has demanded Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme.
Iran insists its programme is for peaceful purposes but some Western powers fear it is making weapons. Iran insists its programme is peaceful, but some Western powers fear it is seeking to make weapons.
'New ideas''New ideas'
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Solana will be looking for signs that the Iranians are prepared to suspend uranium enrichment experiments as demanded by the UN Security Council.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Solana will be looking for signs that the Iranians are prepared to suspend uranium enrichment experiments as demanded by the UN Security Council.
The UN had earlier commissioned two reports on Iran's nuclear programme - one from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the other from Mr Solana.The UN had earlier commissioned two reports on Iran's nuclear programme - one from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the other from Mr Solana.
Talks between Jalili (l) and Solana have been frequently delayed
Our correspondent says the IAEA report on a new work plan that it had instituted with the Iranians was mixed.Our correspondent says the IAEA report on a new work plan that it had instituted with the Iranians was mixed.
If Mr Jalili shows no inclination in his talks with Mr Solana to suspend Iran's enrichment activities, our correspondent says the stage would be set for a renewed push for UN sanctions. If Mr Jalili shows no inclination in his talks with Mr Solana to suspend Iran's enrichment activities, our correspondent says the stage will be set for a renewed push for UN sanctions.
However, despite pressure from the US and its key European allies, Russia and China have been reluctant to press for new measures.However, despite pressure from the US and its key European allies, Russia and China have been reluctant to press for new measures.
Ahead of the talks, Iranian government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham did say that Mr Jalili would "present new ideas and initiatives" to Mr Solana.Ahead of the talks, Iranian government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham did say that Mr Jalili would "present new ideas and initiatives" to Mr Solana.
However, on Wednesday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted Iran was "a nuclear nation", adding: "After this, no-one can threaten the Iranian nation as we have all stood united so far and [the West] did not do anything."However, on Wednesday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted Iran was "a nuclear nation", adding: "After this, no-one can threaten the Iranian nation as we have all stood united so far and [the West] did not do anything."
Mr Solana has appeared frustrated that his talks with Mr Jalili have been frequently delayed. The BBC's Pam O'Toole says there is a distinct air of pessimism around the latest talks, given that Iran has on a number of occasions announced proposals and suggested initiatives while continuing to defy the UN on uranium enrichment.
Mr Solana has himself appeared frustrated that his talks with Mr Jalili have been frequently delayed.
Mr Jalili, a close ally of Mr Ahmadinejad, recently replaced Ali Larijani, who resigned as chief nuclear negotiator amid reports of differences with the leadership.