Iran
Europe is poised to compromise on Iran’s nuclear programme, in a step that could break the year-long stand-off over Tehran’s atomic ambitions. A deal, floated by Tehran at a weekend meeting in Vienna, would rein in the most sensitive part of the programme as soon as formal negotiations began with the west. In response, the European Union is watering down its insistence that a suspension of enrichment activities must come before talks. But European diplomats stress that they will require Iran to allow United Nations inspectors to carry out spot-checks on its nuclear facilities to ensure that the Islamic republic has kept its side of the bargain.
FT 13th Sept 2006
The move towards temporary suspension apparently endorses what two regime insiders told the FT in June – that a majority in Iran’s eight- or nine-strong leadership group is ready for substantive compromise on the nuclear issue, leaving President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad in a minority.
FT 13th Sept 2006
For the Japanese government, balancing the US and Iran is becoming harder as Washington raises pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme. Tokyo’s warm relationship with Tehran goes back to 1953, when the Japanese tanker Nissho-maru defied a British blockade imposed after Iran’s prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, nationalised the oil industry. Today, Japan is Iran’s biggest export market for crude.
FT 13th Sept 2006
Hunterston
ELECTRICIANS working at Hunterston’s nuclear power stations went on strike yesterday after a cash row. About 40 employees of Balfour Kilpatrick working at the A and B plants are furious that a 50p per hour enhancement has been withdrawn after 30 years.
Daily Record 13th Sept 2006
Politics
Peter Hain kicks off his Deputy Leadership bid: making Labour a green government through a commitment to renewable energy. He said it was legitimate for the party to discuss how the Trident nuclear missiles system should be replaced, suggesting he may not support full-scale replacement.
Guardian 13th Sept 2006
