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Five Permanent UN Security Council Members to Meet on Iran


The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plan to re-convene on Friday to consider proposals for an initial response to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.

Ambassadors from the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China will hold talks ahead of a likely meeting by the full Council next week on Iran.

On Thursday, the Bush administration reaffirmed its position it will not seek sanctions in the first stage of Security Council talks on Iran's nuclear program.

But a White House spokesman, Scott McClellan said U.S. officials will be looking for a "strong" statement from the Council that explains clearly to Iranian officials what they need to do.

Also in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a U.S. Senate committee that Iran may pose the number one challenge to the United States.

On Wednesday, the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran to the Security Council for restarting its uranium enrichment program. The Council could impose sanctions if it finds that Iran's nuclear activities violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which the United States and the European Union allege.

In other news, a U.S. State Department official told VOA the international community opposes Iranian attempts to obtain nuclear weapons. But in an interview with the VOA Persian television program "Negahi Faratar" (Looking Ahead), Elizabeth Cheney said no one is trying to deny the Iranian people nuclear energy.

The United States has accused Iran of using its nuclear program as a cover for developing an atomic bomb. Tehran insists its research is for peaceful purposes.
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