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(VOA) Iran's foreign minister says there is a new atmosphere in talks centered on his country's controversial nuclear program. In remarks to reporters at the United Nations, Manouchehr Mottaki said there have been "positive and constructive" developments in talks with the six major powers, raising hopes a diplomatic solution could be on the horizon. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says his government is reviewing the latest package of trade and economic incentives presented last week by EU policy chief Javier Solana and representatives of five of the six major powers involved in the negotiations. He is heard through a translator. "These examinations are happening now, and very soon I will respond to the letter given to me by the six foreign ministers and I hope we will be able to enter a new process with a multi-faceted approach in mind," he said. Mottaki said the approach adopted by Solana and the delegation, as well as the substance of their talks has paved the way for what he called a "new atmosphere." The six powers - Britain, France, the United States, Russia, China and Germany - have demanded that Iran suspend uranium enrichment that could be used to fuel a nuclear weapon. Mottaki would not say directly when asked whether Iran has changed its position and would comply. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad expressed some skepticism as to whether there is a real shift in Iranian policy. "We will have to wait and see if there is an actual change or is there an effort to sugarcoat a hardline policy, a defiant policy, that has characterized Iran's policy with regard to the demands the world has made, the Security Council has made, repeatedly from Iran, that it should it suspend enrichment and reprocessing activities," he said. Earlier, President Bush repeated his stance that all options remain on the table regarding Iran, but that he has made it clear to all parties his administration's first preference is to solve this issue diplomatically. But he warned Iran if it does not stop enriching uranium, it will be isolated and suffer economic hardship. Tehran has rejected accusations that it is working to develop a weapon and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Related Articles: **
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EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana handed Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on June 14 a new "packet of incentives" from the Iran Six - China, France, Russia, the United States, Germany and Britain - aimed at persuading Tehran to halt its controversial nuclear program and avoid further international sanctions. "We have repeatedly said that enrichment is our 'red line' and that we must have this technology," Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Reza Sheikh Attar told reporters in Tehran. "The work will be continued." The new deal recognizes Iran's right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and offers support for the construction of light water reactors, help with supplying nuclear fuel, and a renewal of economic ties with the West. The package also stipulates an expansion of trade with Western countries, assistance with Iran's accession to the World Trade Organization, cooperation in regional security, the environment, agriculture, transportation and education. However, the Iranian diplomat said Tehran would thoroughly study the offers and give a definitive answer as soon as possible. The international negotiators had already proposed to Tehran in June 2006 cooperation in civilian nuclear technology, trade and other spheres, in efforts to persuade Tehran to give up uranium enrichment and resume talks with the Iran-Six group. Iran rejected the 2006 incentives. Iran is currently under three sets of relatively mild UN Security Council sanctions for defying demands to halt uranium enrichment, which it says it needs purely for electricity generation despite Western accusations that the program is geared toward weapon production. Iran maintains that it has never been involved in research into the development of nuclear weapons. Western powers have already warned the Islamic Republic that it may face tougher sanctions if it rejects the revised offer. Iran
at Final Stage of Studying
European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, handed Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki a package of new incentives from the Iran six - China, France, Russia, the United States, Germany and Britain - on June 14. The proposals offer political, security and trade benefits to Iran. "The study of the proposals is at the concluding stage. The Islamic Republic will express its position as soon as the review is over," Attar said. Iran is currently under three sets of relatively mild UN Security Council sanctions for defying demands to halt uranium enrichment, which it says it needs purely for electricity generation despite Western accusations that the program is geared toward weapon production. Iran maintains that it has never been involved in research into the development of nuclear weapons. |