Solana Meets Iran's Larijani In Madrid

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana concluded talks in Madrid aimed at ending the standoff with Tehran over its nuclear program.

Both sides said they had constructive talks at the May 31 meeting, and agreed to intensify their dialogue with another face-to-face meeting in two weeks' time.

Brussels and Washington have made it clear that Iran needs to suspend its uranium-enrichment program before formal talks can begin. But Larijani again reiterated Iran's stance that a suspension of its nuclear program is out of the question.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran must agree to freeze its uranium enrichment activities if it is to avoid becoming more isolated from the international community.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. But Western countries are concerned that Iran could use its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

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