Iran’s nuclear negotiator responds to six powers letter – agency
Washington, 4 July (IranVNC) – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator and Secretary of Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, today gave Iran’s response to a letter from six major world powers, which Tehran received in June, along with a revamped offer of incentives in exchange for ceasing uranium enrichment.
By: IranVNC
Published: Friday, July 04, 2008
14:30 GMT—10:30 AM/EST
EU – IRAN – NUKE – PACKAGE
Washington, 4 July (IranVNC) – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator and Secretary of Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, today gave Iran’s response to a letter from six major world powers, which Tehran received in June, along with a revamped offer of incentives in exchange for ceasing uranium enrichment.
"Based on agreements reached during [EU foreign policy chief Javier] Solana's visit in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran has prepared and submitted its response to [the letter from] the foreign ministers of the six countries and Solana, by focusing on commonalities from a constructive and creative perspective,” the semi-official Mehr News Agency quoted Jalili as saying after a phone conversation with Solana. He added that Iran had agreed to begin negotiations in the next two weeks, AFP reports.
A spokesperson for Javier Solana said he had held “constructive” talks with Jalili and the two had agreed to remain in contact, reports AFP. Jalili announced Iran would give an answer to the P5+1 package “soon,” said Christina Callach, adding Solana was unlikely to respond to Iran before Monday even if Tehran provided a formal answer today.
Solana traveled to Iran on June 14 to present the package of technological and economic incentives in exchange for a key international demand to suspend enrichment. But Iran has repeatedly rejected enrichment freeze as a precondition for negotiations on its nuclear program.
Iranian officials last week said they were open to negotiations but insisted Iran should not give into enrichment suspension demands. Over 200 members of the Majlis issued a statement saying Iran should begin negotiations. Ali Akbar Velayati, the top foreign policy advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed a similar view, saying it was in Iran’s interest not to isolate itself from the international community.
Iran’s foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, today confirmed Iran would soon respond to the P5+1 offer.
“Tehran is ready to settle Iran’s nuclear issue in a comprehensive agreement and therefore the Islamic Republic will soon respond to the Western package of incentives,” the state radio and television [IRIB] website quoted Mottaki as saying without providing details. Mottaki also said Iran was open to direct negotiations with the United States.
“We have never shied away from constructive negotiations based on mutual respect, but unfortunately current and previous U.S. governments have chosen to approach Iran and the region with confrontation and threats,” he said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has repeatedly said she would be willing to meet Mottaki “any time, any where,” if Tehran suspends enrichment.
But the United States has never ruled out the use of force as a last resort to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, President George W. Bush reiterated that all options remain on the table in dealing with Iran. But he stressed the U.S. prefers to settle the nuclear standoff with Iran diplomatically.
In an effort to pressure Iran to halt uranium enrichment, the U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions on Iran’s largest financial institutions, accusing them of financing Iran’s military and nuclear program. In an interview with the German business daily Handelsblatt, U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt said Iran could face additional sanctions if it once again rejects enrichment suspension, Reuters reports.
“If Iran halts uranium enrichment all offers already made are on the table," Kimmitt said. If not, he said, Washington will consult European allies about imposing further sanctions.
Sources: Mehr News Agency, Islamic Republic Broadcasting, Agence France-Presse, Reuters
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