Hardliner Larijani to run Iran's nuclear policy

London (Platts)--15Aug2005

Iran President Mahmood Ahmadinejad Monday appointed hardliner Ali Larijani,
former head of the state broadcast media, to take charge of the country's
nuclear policy. The appointment suggests tough negotiations between Iran and
the European Union on the former's nuclear program. 

Larijani, a former Revolutionary Guards deputy commander who stood in the
first round of the June presidential election, will replace Hassan Rowhani as
head of the Supreme National Security Council and Iran's top nuclear
negotiator. AFP quoted him as saying in March that "making the least
concession on nuclear technology would be tantamount to high treason." 

AFP reported that he had been dismissive of incentives offered by the EU
earlier this month in return for agreeing to cease fuel cycle work. The UK,
France and Germany in November persuaded Iran to suspend uranium enrichment,
holding out the lure of a lucrative trade pact. But Iran resumed uranium
conversion, the precursor to enrichment, last week at its Isfahan facility.

The governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United
Nations' nuclear watchdog, passed a resolution Aug 11 expressing "serious
concern" at the decision to resume uranium conversion at Isfahan and urged
Tehran "to re-establish full suspension of all enrichment-related activities
...and to permit the director-general (of the IAEA) to reinstate the seals
that have been removed at that facility." 

The resolution also called for IAEA director-general Mohamed ElBaradei to
provide "a comprehensive report on the implementation of Iran's
(Non-Proliferation Treaty) safeguards agreement and this resolution" by Sep 3.
The resolution did not, however, threaten to refer Iran to the UN Security
Council for possible sanctions. Outgoing Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said
Sunday that the IAEA resolution had been issued "under the pressure of big
powers." Tehran is ready to negotiate, he said, quoted by IRNA. "But if Iran's
case is to be sent to the UN Security Council, it would bring about some
restrictions for us," he warned.

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