China urges Russia, Iran to continue nuclear talks
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-14 20:05

Iran should continue talks with Russia aimed at brokering a compromise in the international standoff over Tehran's nuclear plans, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

There was "still space" for a negotiated settlement in the deepening confrontation that has pitted Iran against increasingly impatient Western powers, who say Tehran wants to be able make atomic weapons and may push the dispute to the United Nations.

"All concerned parties should step up diplomatic efforts. China hopes Iran will fully cooperate with the IAEA and adopt confidence-building measures to create the conditions for a negotiated resolution," spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news conference in Beijing.

He was referring to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Also on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met in Beijing with Iranian envoy Mohammed Javad Larijani, brother of Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani.

During their talks, Li urged countries involved to remain patient and avoid taking actions that could "complicate the situation", according to a report on the Foreign Ministry's Web site, www.fmprc.gov.cn.

Iran faces a possible U.N. Security Council resolution as Western countries move to curtail its plans to enrich uranium. On Tuesday, the permanent members of the Security Council, including China, will meet to discuss a draft statement on Iran's nuclear plans.

In recent days, Iran has sent uncertain signals about the Russian plan, which would allow it to develop nuclear power but oblige it to enrich atomic fuel in Russia under international inspections. The United States and European Union say Iran may seek to divert enriched fuel to weapons development.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was "extremely disappointed" with Iran's behaviour in the two countries' talks.

But Qin repeated China's position that Iran and other powers must seek diplomatic compromise, and Russia's plan still offers the best way out of the "stalemate."

"We support negotiations between Russia and Iran and hope they can still make progress," he said.