Special
report:Iran Nuclear Crisis
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Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
addresses a news conference in Tehran, capital of Iran, Aug. 16, 2006.
(Xinhua Photo)
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TEHRAN,
Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday
expressed the country's willingness to discuss suspension of nuclear enrichment
activities with the Europeans.
"Iran is willing to discuss the suspension of our
nuclear activities with the European states," Mottaki told reporters after
meeting with his visiting Malian counterpart Mokhtar Ouan.
"Even it is not logical for them to demand a
suspension of our nuclear activities, we can still discuss it," Mottaki said.
On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana
presented Iran with a package agreed on by the United States, Russia, China,
France, Britain, and Germany concerning the Iranian nuclear issue.
The proposal includes both incentives aimed at
persuading Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran
does not comply. Iran has promised to give an official response by Aug.22.
"Iran have reiterated that it will be ready to
negotiate with the Europeans on all questions and ambiguities (of the six-nation
package)," Mottaki said.
The chief Iranian diplomat stressed that the most
effective way to solve the Iran nuclear issue would be holding negotiations that
would safeguard Iran's rights and remove Europe's concerns over Iran's peaceful
nuclear program.
But Iran would "never give up its inalienable rights
under any circumstances," Mottaki stressed.
The United States has accused Iran of secretly
developing nuclear weapons under a civilian front, a charge categorically denied
by Tehran which says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The UN Security Council on July 31 adopted a
resolution urging Tehran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities, including research and development" by Aug. 31 or face the prospect
of sanctions.
Iran has rejected the resolution, saying it has no
legal basis.Enditem
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Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
addresses a news conference in Tehran, capital of Iran, Aug. 16, 2006. The
Iranian foreign minister said on Wednesday Iran was ready to discuss
suspension of nuclear enrichment activities with the Europeans. (Xinhua
Photo)
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Visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cui
Tiankai (L) addresses a press conference with Iran's chief nuclear
negotiator Ali Larijani after a meeting in Tehran, capital of Iran, Aug.
15, 2006. China on Tuesday urged Iran to give a positive response to a
six-nation nuclear package aimed at solving Iran's nuclear issue. Cui, who
arrived in Iran late Monday, also met with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister
Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday morning. (Xinhua Photo)
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