Vienna — As a key UN atomic agency meeting approaches, a rift is opening between the United States and Europe over how far to go in condemning Iran's nuclear activities, diplomats said Friday.
Among draft resolutions being drawn up is one by Britain, France and Germany that one diplomat described as a "strongly worded" demand Iran continue acting on its stated intention to co-operate with the agency. The United States is hoping for something tougher, such as involvement by the UN Security Council.
Canada and Australia are believed to be close to the U.S. position, the diplomat said. While disappointed at the softer stance of the West Europeans, the Americans are willing to accept a compromise resolution "as long as it moves things forward" in reducing the perceived nuclear threat from Iran, he said.
An International Atomic Energy Agency report leaves no question Iran covered up past nuclear programs, including enriching uranium and processing small amounts of plutonium. Washington said the report proves Iran's intent to manufacture weapons.
The document, prepared for a Nov. 20 meeting of the IAEA's board of governors, lists numerous nuclear cover-ups, some over decades, and says they effectively represent Iran's violations of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty by violating safeguards agreements that are part of that treaty.
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei's report found "no evidence" Tehran tried to make atomic bombs but said such efforts cannot be ruled out until Iran's previously covert activities are further examined.
The U.S. administration wants Iran declared in violation of the treaty at next week's board meeting — a move that would lead to UN Security Council involvement and possible sanctions.
But diplomats who follow the agency said there is substantial opposition to such a harsh response, with even key U.S. allies leaning toward a resolution that stops short of referring the issue to the Security Council. There is fear Iran could renege on recent moves to work with the agency if slapped too hard, they said.
The British, French and German draft would urge Iran to clear up suspicions arising from past covert activities and open current programs to thorough IAEA control. However, it stops short of declaring Iran in non-compliance, meaning the issue will not be kicked up to the Security Council, said one diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He and others emphasized the draft could be withdrawn, merged with others or substantially changed even before the board starts meeting Thursday.
Another diplomat familiar with the U.S. position said Washington still hopes for some kind of Security Council involvement but would settle for Council admonition of Iran that stops far short of sanctions threats.
Within recent weeks, Iran has swung from belligerent denial of wrongdoing to acknowledging past "mistakes" in not reporting honestly to the agency. While still maintaining it only wants to generate nuclear power, it has delivered what it said is complete information about past suspect activities.
Last week, it also fulfilled promises made during a visit to Iran last month by the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany by suspending uranium-enrichment and formally agreeing to throw open its nuclear programs to thorough agency inspections — both key IAEA demands.
