미국의 콘돌리자 라이스 국무장관은, 이란 핵 계획에 관한 다섯개 유엔 안전보장 위원회 상임이사국과 독일 대표들간의 회담에서 진전이 이뤄졌으나, 좀 더 논의가 필요하다고 말했습니다.
이들 주요 강대국들은, 이란이 핵 활동을 중단할 경우 제공할 보상안과 더불어, 이란이 핵 활동을 계속할 경우에 취할 제재방안을 논의하고있습니다.
라이스 장관은 24일, 런던에서 열린 이번 회담에서 아무런 진전이 이뤄지지않았음을 시인하고, 아마도 장관급에서 좀 더 논의가 있어야한다고 말했습니다.
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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says top diplomats from the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany have made progress on a strategy to deal with Iran's nuclear program. But she says more talks are needed.
The major powers have been discussing a package of incentives for Iran to give up its nuclear activity, along with defined punitive actions if it refuses.
Rice acknowledged that a closed-door meeting in London of senior officials from the so-called P-Five Plus One grouping ended without an agreement Wednesday. She said further talks -- possibly at ministerial level -- will be needed.
Secretary Rice discussed the London meeting at a joint news conference in Washington with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed el-Baradei.
Western powers suspect Iran is planning to make a nuclear weapon. Although Tehran denies this, el-Baradei said it is important for Iran to take measures to assure the world that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.