Iran says key Larijani-Solana meeting in Berlin

BERLIN, Sep 27 (Reuters) European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator were due to meet in Berlin today for talks aimed at resolving the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, the Iranian embassy said.

''Mr Larijani will be arriving in Berlin in a few minutes,'' said an official at the Iranian embassy.

Details of the location and time of the meeting in the German capital were not immediately available. Larijani was originally scheduled to meet Solana on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week but never showed up.

The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have offered Tehran economic and political incentives if it suspends uranium enrichment which the West believes is part of a nuclear weapons programme. Tehran says its nuclear activities are aimed solely at generating electricity and has refused to halt them.

The Washington Times reported earlier this week that Iran was close to a deal that would include a temporary, 90-day suspension of uranium enrichment and clear the way for nuclear talks. An Iranian news agency, however, quoted a nuclear official as denying any plans for a suspension.

French officials have repeatedly said Larijani offered to consider a temporary suspension of its enrichment programme at a meeting with Solana earlier this month. Diplomats said details of this possible suspension would be discussed at today's meeting in Berlin.

If Iran does not suspend enrichment, the United States and the ''EU3'' -- France, Germany and Britain -- have agreed to ask the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the Islamic republic. China and Russia oppose sanctions and would prefer to reopen negotiations with Iran.

REUTERS AB KN1608