Associated Press, September 16, 2008 (excerpts)- Germany’s foreign minister criticized Tehran for insufficient cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog at a meeting Monday with his Iranian counterpart and urged a constructive response to international efforts to defuse tensions over its nuclear program, an official said.
Iran’s Manouchehr Mottaki and Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier met for more than an hour at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin
An official with the German delegation, who demanded anonymity for discussing the private meeting, said Steinmeier expressed disappointment over Iran’s “lacking cooperation” with the International Atomic Energy Agency and called for Tehran to provide the Vienna-based watchdog immediately with the information it needs.
Steinmeier argued that Tehran should stop playing for time and do everything to create trust in its nuclear program, the official added.
Earlier Monday, the IAEA said U.N. efforts to investigate allegations that Iran tried to make nuclear arms have run into a dead end, with Tehran steadfastly blocking efforts to probe the accusations.
Washington and its allies contend that Iran wants to develop its uranium enrichment program for weapons applications. But Tehran insists it seeks the technology only to create nuclear fuel.
Despite the sanctions, Iran has thus far refused to comply with demands to halt suspect activities or accept a package of incentives _ including a suspension of new sanctions _ to stop enriching uranium that it has been offered by the Security Council’s five permanent members _ Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S. _ plus Germany.
Steinmeier urged Iran anew to respond constructively to the international community’s demands and stressed that, if it fails to do so, it must understand that it faces the risk of further Security Council action, the German official said after Monday’s meeting.