Europeans Consider High-Tech Nuclear Offer to Iran

European powers are considering a proposal thatEuropeans meet to consider incentives aimed at
offers Iran a light-water nuclear reactor, as partresolving the stand-off. EU foreign policy chief
of a deal aimed at persuading Tehran to stopJavier Solana says an incentives package would
enriching uranium.be difficult for Iran to refuse - if what it really
Diplomats say Britain, Germany and France arewants is energy.
drafting the proposal as part of an incentives planWestern powers suspect Iran is enriching uranium
to be presented in London on Friday to officialsto make nuclear weapons - a charge Tehran
from the five permanent U.N. Security Councildenies.
members and Germany.Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said
Under the deal, Russia would enrich uranium forurgent action is needed to end the nuclear
Iran to ensure foreign oversight of the process.stand-offs with Iran and North Korea.
Refined uranium can power nuclear reactors or aHe also called for a resumption of the six-nation
nuclear bomb when refined to a high grade.talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear
Experts say a light-water reactor is less likely toprogram. The talks, which have been stalled since
be misused for nuclear proliferation.November, involve North and South Korea, the
Iran has said it will reject any European deal thatUnited States, China, Russia and Japan.
demands an end to what it calls its pursuit ofSome information for this report was provided by
peaceful nuclear technology.AFP, AP and Reuters.
News of the reactor proposal comes as the