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| EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana
speaks to journalists at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran June 5, 2006. (Xinhua
photo) |
TEHRAN, June 6
(Xinhua) -- European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana arrived in Tehran
on Monday night to present Iran a six-nation proposal over Iran's disputed
nuclear issue.
"We want to start a fresh relationship with Iran on
the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, the new proposal could let us be
engaged in negotiations based on trust, confidence and respect," Solana told
reporters at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport.
Voicing hope of a "new relationship" with Iran,
Solana said that "we want to restart a fresh relationship and we want to do it
based on what I said before, based on a spirit of trust and respect and
confidence."
"The proposal we bring along will allow us to get
engaged in negotiations based on trust, confidence and respect," he stressed.
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany agreed a new
package over Iran's disputed nuclear issues last Thursday.
The two-part package contains economic and political
incentives, including talks with the United States, to encourage Tehran to
abandon uranium enrichment. It also implicates a threat of UN sanctions if Iran
doesn't comply.
Iran has repeatedly claimed that it would never
suspend the uranium enrichment activities.
A few hours before Solana's arrival, Iran's Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said at the airport that his country would examine
the new proposal and then give a formal response to the six world powers.
"If they can consider Iran's legal nuclear demands
and don't politicize the issue, I think we could have an reasonable agreement
with them," said Mottaki.
Meanwhile, Mottaki disclosed that Solana would meet
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on Tuesday. Solana may also meet with
Iran's flinty President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The United States and European countries claim that
Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear
weapons.
Tehran has repeatedly denied the charge, saying its
nuclear program is merely to generate electricity, not bombs. Iran has
repeatedly said that it will not give up its right under the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty to enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel for power
plant. Enditem
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| European Union foreign policy chief Javier
Solana (C) is to present Iran 's leadership with a new international
proposal. (Xinhua/AFP photo) |