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Iran nuclear crisis can be resolved: China
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-23 09:04
BEIJING (Reuters) - There is still scope to defuse a deepening international
crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions within the framework of the International
Atomic Energy Agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was quoted as saying.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing is seen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia December 12, 2005. There is
still scope to defuse a deepening international crisis over Iran's nuclear
ambitions within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
Li was quoted as saying. [Reuters] | Li appealed
to the international community to be calm, restrained and patient and to show
flexibility for a resumption of nuclear negotiations between Europe and Iran,
the official Xinhua news agency said in an overnight report.
"The days before the March 6 meeting of the IAEA are crucial," Xinhua quoted
Li as saying after meeting visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier.
Iran recently announced it was restarting enrichment work but insists it is
interested only in civilian nuclear power. The United States and the European
Union suspect Iran's program is aimed at eventually making atomic weapons.
The United States and the EU trio of Britain, France and Germany may refer
Iran to the U.N. Security Council for sanctions after a March 6 meeting of the
U.N. nuclear watchdog reports on Iran.
China is opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and advocates
safeguarding the seriousness of the international non-proliferation system, Li
said, adding that China hopes to properly resolve Iran's nuclear issue through
diplomatic means.
On Tuesday, China urged Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment, which can
produce fuel for power plants or weapons, in its boldest call yet for Tehran to
accept U.S. and EU demands.
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