Friday, January 20 2006 12:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged Iran not to press ahead with its nuclear fuel research to avoid escalating the situation and work towards creating an environment that allows negotiations to take place.

"We need time to build confidence and trust so that these negotiations can take place in an atmosphere which is appropriate," he told reporters yesterday (Jan 19,2006).

Replying to a question in the context of Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency's meeting to discuss the issue on February 2, Annan hoped the Iranians would see the need to come back to the table in a 'genuine spirit' of searching for a solution.

"If their intention is to develop nuclear capability for peaceful purposes, the international community has given assurance that it will make sure that they have the necessary fuel," he added.

Britain, France and Germany, the so called EU-3 who broke off negotiations with Iran after it decided to resume research in the nuclear fuel cycle, are pressing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board to refer the issue to the Security Council, the only organ of the United Nations authorized to impose punitive sanctions.

Annan said if nothing else works, the issue would have to come to the Council which would then decide what needs to be done.

Currently, Russia and China, the veto wielding members of the 15-member Council, are pressing for negotiations and opposing imposition of sanctions in any form.