TEHRAN: Iran yesterday again ruled out halting uranium enrichment even as the EU’s top diplomat delivered an offer of enhanced incentives to shelve sensitive nuclear activity.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana reaffirmed the six world powers behind the package wanted Iran to suspend enrichment during negotiations on the offer — a precondition Tehran has repeatedly rejected. “It is an offer that is going to be considered (by Iran) and we are waiting for the answer that they hope will be soon,” Solana told a news conference during a rare trip to Tehran.
“We continue to ask for suspension, suspension during the time of negotiations and we will (then) see the outcome of negotiations,” he said after presenting the revised package of trade and other benefits to Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. He said he hoped the powers’ overture, tailored to coax Tehran into stopping pursuit of enrichment ability, a possible pathway to atom bombs, would be a springboard to negotiations.
Solana said the package included help for Iran to develop a civilian nuclear program with light-water reactors — seen as less prone to diversion into bomb-making than the technology Tehran now has — and legally-binding nuclear fuel supply guarantees. “We are offering a proposal which we would like to be the starting point for real negotiations, (one) that would allow Iran to build a modern nuclear energy program,” he said. “It is full of opportunities for Iran,” he said, reiterating that the six powers were ready to fully recognize Iran’s right to have nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Tehran says it is ready to engage in unconditional negotiations with the world powers.
“Iran’s view is clear: any precondition is unacceptable,” government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said when asked about the batch of sweeteners, originally proposed two years ago. “If the package includes suspension it is not debatable at all.” Iran has not formally rejected the offer but diplomats played down hopes of a breakthrough.
US President George W. Bush voiced disappointment at Elham’s statement. “I am disappointed that the Iranian leaders rejected this generous offer,” Bush told a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, adding it was a sign that Iran’s leadership was willing to isolate its people further.
