Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Iran hails nuclear advance ahead of talks with big powers  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iran hails nuclear advance ahead of talks with big powers
 
 
  
 
 AFP - 2 hours 18 minutes ago
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Iranian technicians at the nuclear facilities in Isfahan. Iran on Tuesday hailed a major boost to its capacity to produce nuclear fuel as it prepared to join talks with the major powers next week that the West hopes will lead to a suspension of the sensitive process.
 
 
 
 
 
 
TEHRAN (AFP) - – Iran on Tuesday hailed a major boost to its capacity to produce nuclear fuel as it prepared to join talks with the major powers next week that the West hopes will lead to a suspension of the sensitive process.
 
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said that improved centrifuges were now being tested that would enable uranium to be enriched more rapidly.
 
But, despite renewed demands from the six world powers, he again insisted that Iran would not allow Western governments to make a suspension of its uranium enrichment activity a precondition in the October 1 talks.
 
"Our scientists have built a new generation of centrifuges, and cascades with 10 centrifuges each are now being tested," Salehi told his first news conference since taking up the post of nuclear chief.
 
He said the new-generation centrifuges could enrich uranium with "more than five times the output capacity" of the earlier standard centrifuges and Iran "plans to raise this capacity to 10 times," the Fars news agency reported.
 
Uranium enrichment is the process that lies at the centre of Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. It produces the fuel for nuclear power stations or, in highly extended form, the fissile core for an atomic bomb.
 
Iran has been hit with three sets of UN sanctions over its failure to heed repeated Security Council ultimatums to suspend the activity.
 
But Salehi insisted that, while Iran remains committed to accepting UN supervision of its nuclear programme, it is entering next week's talks in Geneva with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States without accepting any precondition to discuss the Security Council ultimatums.
 
"Peaceful Iranian nuclear activity will never stop and Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he said.
 
"If negotiations start with preconditions, then the results will be clear in advance and this makes it illogical," he added.
 
His comments flew in the face of the position repeatedly taken by the six powers. Their pointman, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, again made plain on Tuesday that their expectation was the suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of the threat of further sanctions.
 
"It's freeze for freeze," Solana said in New York where he was preparing to huddle with representatives of the six powers on Wednesday.
 
Asked about apparent differences between Western governments on the one hand and China and Russia on the other on the effectiveness of the threat of further sanctions, Solana said he expected the six powers to draw up "a consensual statement."
 
Salehi dismissed any threat of military action against Iran's nuclear facilities, should the renewed talks prove fruitless. Both Israel and the United States have refused to rule out any option to prevent Iran developing a nuclear weapons capability.
 
"Our nuclear activities will not stop despite any attack," the ISNA news agency quoted Salehi as saying. "We have told the IAEA that we have undertaken pre-emptive actions by installing anti-aircraft defences."
 
Washington has been ramping up the pressure ahead of the talks, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week insisting that Iran must answer "head on" Western suspicions that its nuclear programme is cover for a weapons drive.
 
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said he hoped the talks would enable the forging of "confidence all-round".
 
"We have to build confidence all-round in order to examine the main questions and start negotiations," Mottaki told a group of Iranian reporters in New York on Monday, the official IRNA news agency reported.
 
"We have to agree an agenda during these talks and in our package of proposals we have raised different issues... we have addressed the (global) nuclear issue, non-proliferation of arms and urged that all nuclear activities in the world must be supervised by the IAEA," Mottaki said.
 
Iran has long contrasted its own cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog with the non-cooperation of its arch-foe Israel, widely considered to have the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear arsenal.
 
Iran presented a new package of proposals to the six powers earlier this month that is to form the basis of next week's talks. Washington expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals but Moscow said they offered something to talk about.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Wis. corrections officials collect missing DNA AP - Wednesday, September 23
 
Maine worker discovers new hire is lost brother AP - Wednesday, September 23
 
AP NewsAlert AP - Wednesday, September 23
 
Haitian baby lost at sea is remembered in Miami AP - Wednesday, September 23
 
Archaeologists find suspected Trojan war-era couple Reuters - Wednesday, September 23
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
With no mystery on rates, Fed comments to be scrutinized
Besieged Zelaya surrounded by Honduran soldiers
US Democratic fundraiser ran Ponzi scheme: prosecutor
UN, NGOs to fight HIV mother-to-child transmission
Legendary Soviet spy mistress dies aged 97: official
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
Legendary Soviet spy mistress dies aged 97: official
 
Swine flu virus has not mutated: WHO chief
 
Ex-Samsung chairman pays $91 million fine
 
Kasparov, Karpov re-match seeks to put chess back in spotlight
 
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Ozone hole smaller in 2009 than 2008: WMO
 
Poignant final farewell as Jackson laid to rest
 
Remains of Jesus-era synagogue found in Israel
 
Implanted tooth helps blind US woman recover sight
 
Nanoparticles could pose threat to humans: scientists
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Search
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 Obama urges restart of Mideast negotiations  
Twitter's Stone says no ads in 2009  
Seven killed in Iran plane crash: report  
Yahoo to kick off new branding campaign  
Iran hails nuclear advance ahead of talks with big powers  
Citi, UBS, Deutsche Bank fined over Vonage IPO  
Obama issues stern challenge on Mideast peace
| International
|  
Clinton rebuffs general's warning on Afghanistan  
Archaeologists find suspected Trojan war-era couple  
Officials: Israel to boycott Ahmadinejad UN speech  
Mexico cartels kidnap, kill migrants headed to U.S.
| International
|  
Raul Castro pushes Cubans to rethink socialism
| International
|  
2 officers fired after Tasering parade driver, 76  
Correction: Virginia Killings story  
Consumer items shielded from health care taxes  
Death sentence upheld in Dru Sjodin abduction case  
Auchincloss pleads not guilty in child porn case  
FDIC could seek bailout from banks  
NYC trains raise security after terrorism warning  
Twitter's Stone says no ads in 2009
| Technology
|  
Police: Off-duty officer fatally shoots wife, self  
Yahoo to kick off new branding campaign
| Technology
|  
FDA: 'limited' benefit with tamper-proof OxyContin  
RIM's updated BlackBerry could brighten outlook
| Technology
|  
New stamps for 4 Supreme Court justices  
Afghan officials live in fear of Taliban assassins  
81-year-old Thai king kept in hospital with fever  
Deeper relationship with China urged  
Japanese PM pledges deep greenhouse cuts  
Tensions rise as police question monk's followers  
China positive on N.Korea developments  
China finds new section to its Great Wall: report  
Japanese PM proposes East Asian community to China  
Silicon Valley reinvents the lowly brick
| Technology
|  
Former Indian army soldier accused of spying  
Cambodian court convicts 2 journos of defamation  
Tough Indian market lures German auto groups  
Global downturn hampers Sri Lanka's peace dividend  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Exhibit gives a back room glimpse of World War Two  
Chess legends Kasparov and Karpov face off again  
Burberry to close star-studded London Fashion Week  
Eminem's music publisher takes Apple to court  
Anna Nicole prescription was pharmaceutical suicide
| Entertainment
|  
Heather Locklear to return to Melrose Place
| Entertainment
|  
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes  
San Sebastian film fest turns eye on blind faith  
New Dan Brown novel tops 2 million mark  
Kurdish to be spoken for first time in Turkish theatre  
Heather Locklear will join updated 'Melrose Place'  
Photographers sue Bundchen, Brady over shooting
| Entertainment
|  
Mad Men and 30 Rock win top Emmys, again
| Entertainment
|  
Murray Perahia -- When the piano man can't play
| Entertainment
|  
Exhibit gives a back room glimpse of World War Two
| Entertainment
|  
Chess legends Kasparov and Karpov face off again
| Entertainment
|  
Iranian leader says he'll seek leniency for hikers  
Britain's Brown to offer to cut nuclear sub fleet  
Honduras standoff at Brazil embassy set for long haul
| International
|  
Intel CEO says looks beyond PCs as market matures  
Fed remains in stimulus mode but eyes exit strategy  
Ahmadinejad tells AP Iran is an opportunity for US  
AP interview: Iranian backs off Holocaust denial  
Chess legend Kasparov takes lead in rematch vs. Karpov  
Iran says it is open to nuclear weapons discussion  
Iranian leader offers to help in Afghanistan  
Delay sought in Google book case  
Hand-washing, masks, quarantine keep viruses at bay  
Obama issues stern challenge on Mideast peace
| International
|  
New mystery surrounds Arctic Sea's destination  
Iran hails nuclear advance ahead of talks with big powers  
RIM's updated BlackBerry could brighten outlook  
Al Qaeda releases new 9/11 video showing Zawahri
| International
|  
U.S. closes Mexico crossing after shooting
| International
|  
French smear trial hears of Al-Qaeda trick  
Obama warns Israel, Palestinians to move on talks  
Obama issues stern challenge on Mideast peace  
France bulldozes migrant 'jungle'  
Britain preparing for possible Afghan troop hike
| International
|  
Facebook, Nielsen team up to measure ad performance  
Bulgarian wins top UNESCO job after anti-Semitism row  
French, US firms ally for electric car batteries  
Ahmadinejad warns against any attack on Iran
| International
|  
Besieged Zelaya surrounded by Honduran soldiers  
EU court adviser backs Google in ads row with LVMH  
Insurgents recruit teens at sports clubs, schools
| International
|  
Dust storm blankets Sydney as drought bites
| International
|  
Large gaps cloud Mideast peace efforts  
US lawmakers hold off on new Iran sanctions  
Annual Clinton Global Initiative opens  
Fla. man charged in slayings of wife, 5 kids  
AP source: Libyans pitch tent outside NYC  
Democratic chairman pushes for health care changes  
Venezuela captures drug suspect wanted by US  
Iran says wants abolition of nuclear weapons-Japan  
AZ corrections workers disciplined in inmate death  
Girls school attacked in troubled NW Pakistan  
U.S. sting targets Mexican drug trade  
China shuts Tibet to foreigners before anniversary  
China sends fuel to Iran as U.S. sanctions loom  
Obama presses China for help on Iran, NKorea  
Dalai Lama starts US tour with fist-bump  
Intel CEO says looks beyond PCs as market matures
| Technology
|  
Obama, Hu vow to forge dynamic ties  
Policy center urges deeper US-China relationship  
Microsoft developing new tablet PC device-report
| Technology
|  
Australian PM calls for 'grand bargain' on climate  
Palin emerges in Asia with speech to investors  
S.Korea spotted buying dollars to cap won-dealers  
NZ unexpectedly emerges from recession in Q2  
South Korea approves sale of iPhone  
SKorea's top banker quits over massive losses  
South Korea approves sale of Apple's iPhone  
China's Geely raises Goldman cash, mulls Volvo bid  
S.Korea sees tax revenue recovering in 2010  
China pushing for bigger IMF role at G-20  
Taiwan dollar hits 3-mth high on exporters, funds  
Lightning strikes two more actors for "Thor"  
FX's 'Damages' expands cast with Short, Scott  
French rogue trader takes to Riviera stage  
Actual people physically gather to talk Twitter  
"Cougar Town" not likely to seduce viewers  
Sarah Michelle Gellar, husband welcome baby girl  
Megan Fox "Transformers" costume up for auction  
Modern Family breathes new life into sitcom
| Entertainment
|  
Lawyer outraged at claims against Smith's doctor  
U2 manager delighted to bring stage show full circle
| Entertainment
|  
Eastwick shows promise but doesn't yet cast spell
| Entertainment
|  
Send in the Clowns: Zeta-Jones makes Broadway bow  
Megan Fox Transformers costume up for auction
| Entertainment
|  
London designers go bright and bold  
Titanic prepped to set sail as 3D reissue
| Entertainment
|  
Send in the Clowns: Zeta-Jones makes Broadway bow
| Entertainment
|  
Cougar Town not likely to seduce viewers
| Entertainment
|  
Israeli FM: Summit a victory for settlement stand  
Date Check turns smart phones into "sleaze detectors"  
Merkel eyes centre-right as election nears
| International
|  
US-TECH Summary  
Doubts loom large after Obama's Mideast summit
| International
|  
Microsoft developing new tablet PC device-report  
Qaeda's Zawahri attacks Obama, Arabs in new video
| International
|  
Dutch pilot held over Argentine death flights
| International
|  
China army parade may give clue to new missiles
| International
|  
In France's jails, a toxic mix of grime and despair
| International
|  
Berlusconi government under fire over fraud amnesty plan
| International
|  
Stun-gun maker Taser blogs to beat bad buzz
| Technology
|  
Apple, Eminem may face trial over music downloads
| Technology
|  
Best Buy to sell iRex e-reader this fall
| Technology
|  
The Nation's weather  
SKorean court upholds conviction for Roh's brother  
Twitter's Stone says no ads in 2009
| Technology
|  
Death toll at 10 as Southeast floods start to ebb  
Australian navy thwarts Somali pirates: officials  
Gandhi murder convict wins parole review: report  
States where jobless could get extended benefits  
House bill adds to jobless benefits in 27 states  
Obama tries to reclaim debate on financial reform  
Complaint suggests NYPD misstepped in terror probe  
Senate Democrats propose surveillance law changes  
Australia mulls Kenyan women's 'circumcision' case  
Australia intercepts 7th refugee boat this month  
China prepares to ship museum treasures to Taiwan  
U.S. closes Mexico crossing after shooting  
NY's Gillibrand seeks fund release for day cares  
SKorea launches missile boats to guard NKorea border  
Vietnam Communist Party Web site fined  
China makes landmark pledge to curb CO2 emissions  
Thai leader says US moving toward engaging Myanmar  
Ford to make four-door compact car in India  
Seoul shares fall; Hynix tumbles, automakers rise =2  
Seoul shares fall; Hynix tumbles, automakers rise  
India tells G20 'world economy not out of woods'  
SKorea's LG Chem plans 2.5 bln dlr investment  
Venus Remedies outlicenses antibiotic to Korean firm  
S.Korea money market funds fall amid won surge  
FACTBOX-Pakistan's economy  
Q+A-What prospects for Pakistan's President Zardari?  
Apple, Eminem may face trial over music downloads
| Entertainment
|  
"Modern Family" breathes new life into sitcom  
"Titanic" prepped to set sail as 3D reissue  
Over 300 killed in Indonesia Eid road exodus: police  
"Eastwick" shows promise but doesn't yet cast spell  
Ireland celebrates 250 years of Guinness  
Singapore backs Beyonce to pull in punters  
"Endings" begins for Hopper, Caan  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights