26 October 2004	Tuesday	11 Ramazan 1425

TEHRAN, Oct 25: Iran on Monday said it was ready to consider a European request to maintain a suspension on enriching uranium, in what could be a major breakthrough towards ending a stand off over its nuclear programme.

The surprise comments by Iranian officials marked a softening in Tehran's tone towards a deal proposed last week by European countries, coming only one day after officials described the offer as "unbalanced".

"The European proposal for an unlimited suspension of uranium enrichment can be implemented, provided it does not contradict the Islamic republic's criteria," chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani said, quoted by state television.

Three European states offered Iran a deal Thursday under which Tehran would receive valuable nuclear technology if it indefinitely suspended all uranium enrichment activities, a key stage in the nuclear fuel cycle.

The three - Britain, France and Germany - hope that if Iran agrees to the deal it will be possible to stave off US demands for the nuclear issue to be sent before the UN Security Council.

Talks are due to resume in Vienna on Wednesday.

"The European proposals do not amount to what we wanted, but we are determined to continue talks to reach an agreement and we believe that is possible," said government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, has given Iran a November 25 deadline to allay concerns about its nuclear activities.

An IAEA spokeswoman said the agency's director Mohamed ElBaradei "believes that this is moving in the right direction, and we now welcome this constructive dialogue" between Iran and the EU.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair maintained a tough tone.

"I don't know anyone who is talking about military action in Iran or Syria," he said. "But what we are insisting on, quite rightly, is that there is a proper obligation on the Iranians to comply with international law and regulations.

"Now I don't think dialogue has been exhausted on this at all, but we do need the Iranians to understand that the international community does not find it acceptable that they develop nuclear weapons," he said.

Rowhani however made clear that in Tehran's eyes suspending uranium enrichment indefinitely was not the same as imposing a permanent halt on the practice.

The term "unlimited does not mean permanent. The Europeans are talking about an unlimited (suspension) during the negotiations as it is foreseen that long-term negotiations are starting with the Europeans."-AFP