PARIS, March 7, 2006 (AFP) - France on Tuesday asked Iran to suspend nuclear research activities tied to the enrichment of uranium, despite an Iranian diplomat ruling out such a step.

"We are asking for a return to the full suspension of activities linked to enrichment and treatment, including research and development," foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said.

He said that was the position of the so-called EU-3 -- France, Britain and Germany -- which have been holding negotiations with Iran on behalf of the European Union.

An Iranian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP in Vienna on the sidelines of an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting, said his country would not agree to a compromise over its nuclear program that involves suspending full-scale uranium enrichment for any longer than two years.

The diplomat also reiterated Tehran's refusal to suspend small-scale enrichment for research purposes.

Copyright AFP

Subject: French news