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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iran says nuclear deal is 'close' | Iran says nuclear deal is 'close' |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Iran's foreign minister has suggested that a final deal on exchanging nuclear fuel could be close. | |
| Speaking at a major security conference in Munich, Germany, Manouchehr Mottaki said a deal could be reached in the "not too distant future". | |
| China, opposed to new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme, said talks with the international community had reached a "crucial stage". | |
| There was no reaction to Mr Mottaki's comments from Western delegates. | There was no reaction to Mr Mottaki's comments from Western delegates. |
| The Iranian comments on the uranium issue came after Mr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute and told a late-night audience that "conducive ground" on a nuclear fuel deal had been reached. | The Iranian comments on the uranium issue came after Mr Mottaki decided to joint the Munich conference at the last minute and told a late-night audience that "conducive ground" on a nuclear fuel deal had been reached. |
| "Under the present conditions that we have reached, I think that we are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he said. | "Under the present conditions that we have reached, I think that we are approaching a final agreement that can be accepted by all parties," he said. |
| "[The] Islamic republic of Iran has shown it is serious about doing this, and we have shown it at the highest level," he said. | "[The] Islamic republic of Iran has shown it is serious about doing this, and we have shown it at the highest level," he said. |
| Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently indicated he would be amenable to idea of sending uranium abroad for enrichment. | Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently indicated he would be amenable to idea of sending uranium abroad for enrichment. |
| The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran in recent months, a move unpopular in China. | The US, Britain and France have been pressing for more sanctions on Iran in recent months, a move unpopular in China. |
| Making his first appearance at the annual Munich conference, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said a better solution would be to "concentrate on consultation and dialogue". | Making his first appearance at the annual Munich conference, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said a better solution would be to "concentrate on consultation and dialogue". |
| Beijing's warning | Beijing's warning |
| Also in Munich, Mr Yang also expressed Beijing's much-voiced anger at US plans to sell $6.4bn (£4bn) of arms to Taiwan. | |
| He said the arms sale - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was "obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations". | He said the arms sale - which includes Patriot anti-missile systems and Black Hawk helicopters - was "obviously a violation of the code of conduct between nations". |
| "Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary. | "Of course, the Chinese government and the people have to react. It is within its sovereign right to do what is necessary. |
| Mr Yang said a more developed China was an opportunity to the world | Mr Yang said a more developed China was an opportunity to the world |
| "I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing," he added. | "I think the Chinese people and the government of every region should feel indignant about this thing," he added. |
| Beijing earlier warned of "serious harm" to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved. | Beijing earlier warned of "serious harm" to relations between the two powers, the suspension of military contact and sanctions against the firms involved. |
| Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory. | Taiwan has been ruled by a separate government from China since the end of the civil war in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory. |
| Reassurance | Reassurance |
| The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang's appearance in Munich as a remarkable event. | The BBC's Nick Childs, in Munich, described Mr Yang's appearance in Munich as a remarkable event. |
| The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says. | The Munich conference, traditionally a Euro-Atlantic forum, sat in rapt attention listening to the top diplomat from China, a rising and increasingly assertive power, our correspondent says. |
| Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times. | Mr Yang was the first person holding his office to address this gathering, with his appearance being seen as a sign of the new diplomatic times. |
| He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates. | He offered some reassurance, our correspondent reports: a more developed China is an opportunity rather than a threat to the world, Mr Yang told delegates. |
| But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries' internal affairs. | But he also reminded his audience that Beijing had a very decided view of what a stable, peaceful world should look like: a diverse one that refrains from interfering in countries' internal affairs. |
| Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development. | Yes, China felt stronger, Mr Yang acknowledged, but also still weak in terms of development. |