Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the UN`s nuclear monitor, has turned down a request by the European Union to issue a far-reaching condemnation of Iran`s nuc¬lear programme when the agency`s board meets in extraordinary session next month. Mr ElBaradei`s reports set the tone for the international debate on the issue, so his decision could weaken US-European efforts for a speedy referral of Iran to the UN Security Council. Diplomats said leading European governments had asked Mr ElBaradei to make an earlier report, ahead of the February 2-3 meeting of the IAEA board. ”ElBaradei has refused because he believes in due process,” said an official close to the agency. ”He has said that the next report will be for the [regular] March 6 board and he can`t just advance that report.” Last Sunday Mr ElBaradei met Ali Larijani, Iran`s chief negotiator, who is believed to have asked for more time. Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, Iran`s president, began a trip on Thursday to Syria, a traditional ally of Iran and one of the 35 members of the IAEA governing board. US and European officials are continuing discussions with Russia and China, two of the most important members of the board, to try to secure their agreement for referral of Iran`s nuclear dossier to UNSC. China said it was waiting to see a draft IAEA resolution prepared by EU governments before deciding. Russia has proposed a Security Council debate but wants to hold off a formal decision on referral until March.