Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Germany, France and the U.K. may fail to dissuade Iran from seeking nuclear weapons unless the U.S. joins European-led talks with Iran's Islamic government, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's adviser on U.S. relations said.

The U.S. must back Europe's attempt to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program through diplomacy ``because only then will we manage to create an environment for these efforts to succeed,'' said Karsten Voigt in a telephone interview from New York, where he is meeting with U.S. officials in preparation for a visit to Europe by President George W. Bush next week.

Voigt, asked whether the U.S. could do more to back the three European Union countries, replied: ``Yes, very much so, and it's our goal for the U.S.'s position to translate into full support'' for the EU.

Bush said on Feb. 3 that Iran is pursuing nuclear arms and he has refused to rule out the use of force against the nation. Three years ago, he said Iran formed an ``axis of evil'' with Iraq and North Korea, which last week acknowledged it has nuclear weapons. Schroeder, who opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq, said on Jan. 28 the Middle East ``cannot afford another military conflict.''

European efforts to persuade Iran, the Middle East's second- largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia, to give up its nuclear ambitions received a boost from the U.S. last week when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the talks should be given more time to succeed before Iran faces any United Nations sanctions.

Schroeder said in an interview published yesterday in the Wall Street Journal that he wants Iran to be offered more economic cooperation to help the talks succeed.

Offering Acceptance

``What we need to do is to signal to the other side that if Iran fulfills the demands of the international community, this will have a positive effect on the return of the country into the community of nations -- political as well as economic,'' the chancellor said.

U.S. relations with Iran have been suspended since 1980, following the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by students after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The U.S. accuses Iran of pursuing a clandestine nuclear- weapons program in violation of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Iran, which has repeatedly said its nuclear program is intended solely for power generation, agreed in December 2003 to increased monitoring by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

`Benevolent Neutrality'

Voigt said Iran's nuclear ambitions may pose a major challenge to U.S.-European relations, calling it an ``extremely important issue'' in trans-Atlantic ties.

The U.S.'s ``opposition to the European initiative has given way to a benevolent neutrality coupled with a certain degree of skepticism,'' Voigt said. ``It's in our interest for the U.S. to fully back the European efforts. The closer the cooperation, the greater the chance of success.''

The U.S. should extend to Iran the approach it has taken with North Korea, an EU diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told reporters in Brussels today. The U.S. supports six-party talks, involving South Korea, Japan, China and Russia, on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The EU also wants the U.S. to help offer Iran the prospect of World Trade Organization membership, which would open up the Iranian economy and society and entail respect for international rules, the diplomat said.

Rice, questioned yesterday during a congressional hearing, said that direct U.S. negotiations with Iran only would provide the Iranian government with more excuses for delays and failure to comply.

``I would hope that we wouldn't allow the Iranians to create another condition for doing what it is that they need to do,'' Rice told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Rebuilding Iraq

Voigt said Germany may step up its efforts to help stabilize Iran's neighbor Iraq, including taking a role in rebuilding the war-torn country's civil administration.

``Of course, a lot depends on security conditions,'' Voigt said. ``But Germany is always open to new, sensible solutions.''

Schroeder, one of the most outspoken opponents of the U.S.- led war in Iraq, pledged in December to train more Iraqi military staff and civilian personnel, including experts in the disposal of unexploded munitions.

Germany agreed to waive about 4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) of Iraqi debt as part of a Paris Club accord last year as well as providing instruction for Iraqi police officers in the United Arab Emirates. Even so, Schroeder has repeatedly refused to contribute to any training inside Iraq, maintaining his resistance to Germany assuming any military role in the country.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andreas Cremer in Berlin acremer@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: February 17, 2005 09:48 EST