Iran refuses to give up heavy-water nuclear reactor

WAR.WIRE

Iran refuses to give up heavy-water nuclear reactor
TEHRAN (AFP) Feb 13, 2005
Iran said Sunday it would not give up plans to build a heavy-water reactor, which can be used to make nuclear weapons material, in exchange for a light-water research reactor proposed by the Europeans.

EU negotiators in talks with Iran over its nuclear activities have offered to send a mission to help Tehran obtain a light-water research reactor in what would be the first concrete move towards rewarding Tehran for abandoning uranium enrichment.

Washington accuses Iran of seeking to covertly develop nuclear weapons but Tehran insists its nuclear programme is purely for civilian energy needs.