After two months of complicated and difficult talks with the European Union (EU), Iran said on Monday that it would voluntarily suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment on Nov. 22, signaling Tehran's crucial compromise over its nuclear case.  

Since the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sept. 18 urged Iran in a resolution to suspend uranium enrichment activities, the EU has been making efforts to persuade the adamant Iranians to freeze the activities accordingly.

Meanwhile, the United States reinforced its pressure on the EU and the UN nuclear watchdog, insisting that the Iranian case be referred to the UN Security Council.

Faced with such a disadvantageous situation, Tehran at the first stage categorically rejected the IAEA resolution.

Hassan Rowhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and chief nuclear negotiator, on Sept. 19 termed the resolution as unacceptable, warning that Iran would halt further cooperation with the inspectors provided that the agency referred Iran's case to the UN Security Council.

President Mohammad Khatami also said Iran would use the nuclear technology "at any cost," and the move would be no longer under the IAEA supervision if the West still insists on the imposed suspension.

Meanwhile, the conservatives-dominated parliament stressed that they would pass a law to force the government to resume the enrichment and halt the admittance of snap inspection. The toughest stance on Oct. 6 came from Rowhani, who stated that Iran was ready for confrontation or negotiation on the nuclear issue.

As Iran's hard-line position overshadowed the prospect of the issue, the European trio (Britain, France and Germany), the long-time broker of the issue, proposed to provide Iran with imported nuclear fuel and other offers, including a light-water reactor, in return for an unlimited suspension of its activities related to uranium enrichment.

Iran at first again turned down the proposal with the repeated claim that any proposal should respect Iran's legitimate rights on peaceful nuclear technology, terming the EU proposal as "unbalanced and unacceptable."

However, the IAEA deadline of Nov. 25 was approaching. After the active and patient efforts of the European trio, Iran softened its stance.

"We can talk about the demand of further suspension of uranium enrichment activities, but it's only for a short period," Rowhani said on Oct. 18.

The statement created a better atmosphere for two rounds of negotiations between the EU and Iran on Oct. 21 and 27 in Vienna. During the interval of the two rounds of talks, Rowhani expressed Iran's willingness to expand the space of discussion based on the EU 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 said, adding that Iran did not equate "unlimited" suspension as being forced to carry out a permanent halt.

Rowhani also declared that Iran could consider suspension of any kind and any duration if the negotiations were based on the principle of voluntary decision.

The remarks hinted that Iran had begun to open the space of discussion in the areas that it marked as "nonnegotiable" before. Subsequently, the third round of talks kicked off in Paris on Nov. 5. Due to difficulty in reaching an agreement, the talks were prolonged to the second day, when the two sides reached a "preliminary agreement" eventually.

Based on the agreement, the two sides on Nov. 11 opened the sequel discussions in Tehran, which also met with difficulties. In the end, Iran made the crucial compromise on Sunday evening and announced the details on Monday, indicating that Iran plans to carry out a substantial suspension.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2004)