A European proposal raised at nuclear talks on Oct. 21 and its consequent developments have indicated that the gap between Europe and Iran on their baselines remains as wide as before, but the two sides, especially Tehran, are still devoted to avoiding a retreat in the prolonging and effort-racking nuclear talks.  

Under the proposal, the European trio of France, Germany and Britain offered to supply Iran with necessary nuclear technology and equipments, including a light-water reactor, in return for Tehran's "unlimited" suspension of uranium enrichment.

The proposal significantly leaked out about one week ahead of the negotiation, which endowed Iran with enough time to calculate for the right decision.

However, the request of permanent suspension is too harsh for Tehran to accept. Tehran has repeatedly stated that permanent suspension was out of concern and that any proposal should recognize Iran's right to get access to peaceful nuclear technology.

Many top Iranian officials, including President Mohammad Khatami, reiterated the precondition with enthusiasm, hoping for some softening adjustments in the proposal.

Others looked forward to an alleviation of time, represented by former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who said that no decision would be taken at the meeting and that it was up to the governments to make decisions based on the submitted proposal.

Disappointingly, Iran's efforts had failed to persuade the Europeans to change the proposal, which emerged in its formerly rumored form.

Receiving the headache-causing proposal, Iran voiced its dissatisfaction. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi on Sunday labeled the proposal as "unbalanced and unacceptable."

Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel also slammed the proposal, saying "Iran is a country which would never yield to pressures to quit its scientific achievements."

Such a tough tone naturally provoked wide speculation that the Islamic Republic might turn down the proposal, which seemingly predicted a looming retreat in negotiation.

However, just one day later, government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh announced that Iran had not rejected the European proposal, saying "interpretations made by certain segments of the media about Asefi's statements are not true."

Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani also issued a declaration, stressing that Iran could consider the proposal.

"Iran can consider the European proposal which requires an unlimited suspension of uranium enrichment, if it does not run counter to our principles," Rowhani told the state television.

However, Rowhani also tried to prevent people's speculation from going to another extreme, pointing out that Iran did not equate "unlimited" suspension to being forced to carry out a permanent halt.

"The Europeans have used the word 'unlimited' for suspension of Iran's enrichment activities, and they meant that Iran would not resume such activities before the end of its talks with Europe," he added.

Iran's softened position was echoed positively by Europe as worries arose previously that the negotiation might come to a fruitless end.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday said there was still "scope for negotiations" with Iran.

"I don't think dialogue has been exhausted at all," Blair said.

Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, the current president of the EU Council of Ministers, voiced hope that the EU and Iran "with the continuation of talks in Vienna would reach a mutual useful and satisfactory result."

The European reaction was seen as a comforting message to Tehran. It is widely thought that the Islamic Republic will exploit the "scope" to avoid a retreat in the coming talks.

Last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution, demanding that Iran freeze all work on uranium enrichment and related activities.

The UN's nuclear watchdog is to judge Iran's compliance at the Nov. 25 meeting. Since the deadline set by the IAEA is approaching, the EU's stance is crucial.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2004)