U.S. envoy Bolton to stop here on way to nuclear talks

A senior U.S official will visit Israel for consultations prior to the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors meeting next week to discuss Iran's nuclear program. U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton will come to Jerusalem Sunday on his way to the IAEA meeting in Vienna. Bolton is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and senior Israeli officials, as part of efforts to transfer the "Iran case" to the United Nations Security Council.

Political sources in Jerusalem do not expect results from the upcoming board of governors meeting, and the diplomatic battle will likely be postponed until the board's November meeting. Iran hopes the suspicions against it will be removed from the IAEA agenda, and it will be able to continue with its uranium enrichment program.

The U.S. seeks to have Iran declared in violation of its international nuclear commitments, mandating transfer of the matter to the Security Council. The UK, Germany and France have made no progress in efforts to reach a compromise with Iran, but still prefer negotiations with Tehran.

Prior to the board of governors meeting, both sides are shoring up their positions with widespread diplomatic activity. IAEA Director-General Mohammed ElBaradei's last report on the Iranian program was lukewarm and generous to the Iranians, in Israel's opinion.

There is a dispute in the U.S. administration regarding the proper policy toward Iran. Bolton, a key hawk in the Bush administration, believes that diplomacy won't work with Tehran. Another approach calls for talks with Iran, in an attempt to dampen its ambitions to acquire nuclear arms.