Iran offers 'rival proposal' to U.N.-drafted nuclear deal

Reuters, here

" ... By offering a rival proposal, Iran appeared to be following a well-tested strategy of buying time to avert a threatened tightening of international sanctions.

It would not only fail to reduce the stockpile of enriched uranium that is worrying the international community, but also require sanctions imposed on Iran since 2006 to be waived to allow it to buy such sensitive nuclear material.

"Iran is interested in buying fuel for the Tehran research reactor within the framework of a clear proposal," Iranian state television quoted a member of Iran's negotiating team, who attended nuclear talks in Vienna this week, as saying.

"We are waiting for the other party's constructive and trust-building response."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner was quoted as saying during a visit to Lebanon that "via the indications we are receiving, matters are not very positive."

Precise details of Iran's counter-proposal were not made public, and Washington said it was still awaiting a formal Iranian response. But it was unclear how allowing Iran to buy nuclear fuel would fit the big powers' aims..."