Iranian FM supports plan to send uranium abroad

[February 03, 2010]  ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Iran's foreign minister says Tehran's plan to send its uranium abroad for further enrichment as requested by the U.N. is aimed at building confidence in the country's nuclear program.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says swapping low-enriched uranium with uranium enriched by 20 percent is "a formula which could build confidence." He spoke Wednesday in Ankara.

The United States and other nations suspect that Iran's nuclear program is geared toward acquiring atomic weapons. Iran denies the charge and says the program is to generate energy.

Mottaki says Tehran's research reactor would need fuel within a year.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says there is room for a diplomatic solution over neighboring Iran's nuclear program.

Mottaki says "any threat to the security of Iran amounts to a threat to the security of Turkey."

[Associated Press]

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