Six-Nation Talks to Discuss Iran

Source: Al-Manar TV, 04-02-2004

Representatives of Britain, the US, Germany, France, China and Russia are to hold talks on Iran. The meeting is part of regular discussions on how to persuade the country to halt its nuclear program.

Tehran says that the program is for peaceful purposes, but Western powers fear that Iran is trying to develop atomic weapons. The talks come a day after Tehran announced that it had launched its first domestically-made satellite.

Iran said the satellite, carried on a Safir-2 rocket, was meant for research and telecommunications.
But the US, UK and France voiced concerns that the technology used could lead to ballistic missile development.
Wednesday's talks are to take place in the German town of Wiesbaden.

There is also talk of a low-level US diplomatic presence being established in Tehran.
Ahead of the talks, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Iran had an opportunity "to step up and become a productive member of the international community".

Citing words from President Obama's inauguration speech, she said the international community was "reaching out a hand to Tehran" but that Iran had to "unclench its fist".