Iran praises China, Russia's 'realism'

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani yesterday praised Russia and China for taking a "realistic" approach after talks between major powers failed to resolve differences over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"We feel that certain countries have been acting in a more realistic manner" over the nuclear issue, Larijani, referring to the two UN powers, said following talks here with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

"Other countries are trying to create headaches. I come from a region where a lot of problems have been created by the United States," he said.

"Our advice to the European Union is not to follow the policy of a country which creates problems for this region. The EU can play a constructive role."

Larijani, who is also Iran's national security chief, was speaking ahead of a meeting in New York of the foreign ministers of the UN Security Council permanent members, Germany and the European Union to try to find a common strategy to force Iran to halt sensitive nuclear fuel work.

A US official said early Tuesday that the ministers had failed to reach an agreement on a possible UN resolution on the issue after a round of talks held late Monday.

Larijani, in a visit to Turkey on Monday, urged world powers to use the UN atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and not the UN Security Council, to resolve the nuclear standoff.

Unlike the Security Council, the IAEA does not have enforcement powers and cannot impose sanctions on the Islamic republic.

With the IAEA holding on to Iran's nuclear dossier, Tehran would have more time to pursue talks for a diplomatic resolution of the dispute, but Western diplomats widely see Iran's request as stalling tactics.

Iran has repeatedly maintained that its nuclear programme is purely peaceful, but the West has remained sceptical, believing that it masks a drive for nuclear weapons.