Talks between Javier Solana the High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Larijani ended today without any agreement. Iran has once again refused to suspend its Uranium enrichment programme as required by the United Nations Security Council resolution, despite some assurances to the contrary. Javier Solana says he plans to hold a second round of talks with Larijani over the nuclear issue next week.   

Quote: "Several Western diplomats who were briefed on Solana's talks with Larijani said the Iranians were still refusing to commit to suspending their uranium enrichment programme and said Larijani appeared to be trying to drag out talks with Solana. "We have been progressing," Solana told reporters after discussions with Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani. "We still have some issues that have not been closed," he added without elaborating. Solana said he hoped to renew contact with the Iranians by the middle of next week.

But while Javier Solana wrangles with Larijani, and President Ahmadinejad tries to assure the world Iran has no intention of building a nuclear bomb, a letter written by former Supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khameini was published today, revealing Iran's desperate effort to acquire a nuclear weapons during the Iran-Iraq war.

Quote: "The letter from Ayatollah Khameini lists the requirements of military commanders if they are to continue fighting against Iraq. It mentions more aircraft, helicopters, men and weapons, and also quotes the top commander saying Iran would within five years need laser-guided and atomic weapons in order to win the war. Some Iranian news agencies have, however, deleted the reference to atomic weapons in the letter.

Source Independent Online, BBC