BigBadBrian
06-03-2006, 09:14 AM
Iran Insists It Will Keep Nuke Technology
Jun 2, 4:09 PM (ET)
By NASSER KARIMI
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran insisted Friday that the West will not deprive it of nuclear technology and must drop conditions on negotiations, defying pressure to accept a package of incentives to stop its nuclear activities.
Iranian officials did not respond directly to the offer agreed to Thursday by the permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany that calls on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. Details have yet to be formally presented to Tehran.
But Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said Europe should "leave out excuse-seeking and illogical conditions and come back to negotiation and cooperation."
"Iran is ready for any unconditional, just and indiscriminatory negotiations," he was quoted as saying by state-run television.
(AP) Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, speaks with the media in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June...
Full Image
Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also struck a defiant tone, vowing "the efforts of some Western countries to deprive us will not bear any fruit."
The state news agency quoted him as saying opposition to Iran's nuclear program was not based on a worry over nuclear weapons, but on the fact that the technology would then be open to "all independent countries, especially Islamic countries."
The united front among the United States, Europe, Russia and China - reached in talks in Vienna, Austria, - puts unprecedented pressure on Tehran to accept the deal.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that Tehran must respond quickly. Otherwise, she made clear Iran would face U.N. sanctions.
Details of the offer have not been made public, but diplomats in Vienna said the deal outlines incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and return to the negotiating table - with the United States included in the talks.
(AP) Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, speaks with the media in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June...
Full Image
Uranium enrichment can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or material to make a bomb. The U.S. and several European countries believe Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons. Tehran says the program aims only to generate electricity.
Iranian state media were dismissive of Thursday's gathering in Vienna. "The noisy 5+1 meeting ended without a new proposal for Iran," state television said.
The United States announced earlier this week that it would enter direct talks with Iran if it agrees to suspend uranium enrichment - the first time it has agreed to such a meeting since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran's nuclear program, was quoted Friday as ruling out the U.S. condition, calling it "a big insult."
"Tehran is determined to conclude its peaceful nuclear program," he said, according to the Iranian Student News Agency. "The Iranian people will not allow us to suspend enrichment ... Accepting the U.S. conditions is almost impossible."
(AP) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to the crowd during a public gathering in Zarandieh,...
Full Image
But an Iranian analyst said the mounting pressure narrows Iran's room to maneuver, especially since its longtime allies Russia and China signed onto the deal.
"Such unprecedented unity in the international community, including the representatives of Russia and China, has put Iranian officials in an awkward position. They need more time to make a decision," political analyst Mostafa Mirzaian told The Associated Press.
Throughout the impasse over Iran's nuclear program, Russia and China - major trading partners for Iran - have called for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., Britain and France, who have sought strong measures, need the cooperation of Russia and China to take such a step. Either country could veto sanctions in the Security Council.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday welcomed the U.S. offer of direct talks with Iran, saying: "This is a very important step, which gives the whole process a new dimension."
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was optimistic Iran would accept the offer. "We are hopeful that the Iranian side, acting with a sentiment of responsibility and fastidiousness, will examine the proposal and that a positive approach will emerge," he said.
Link (Iran Insists It Will Keep Nuke Technology)
Jun 2, 4:09 PM (ET)
By NASSER KARIMI
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran insisted Friday that the West will not deprive it of nuclear technology and must drop conditions on negotiations, defying pressure to accept a package of incentives to stop its nuclear activities.
Iranian officials did not respond directly to the offer agreed to Thursday by the permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany that calls on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. Details have yet to be formally presented to Tehran.
But Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said Europe should "leave out excuse-seeking and illogical conditions and come back to negotiation and cooperation."
"Iran is ready for any unconditional, just and indiscriminatory negotiations," he was quoted as saying by state-run television.
(AP) Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, speaks with the media in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June...
Full Image
Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also struck a defiant tone, vowing "the efforts of some Western countries to deprive us will not bear any fruit."
The state news agency quoted him as saying opposition to Iran's nuclear program was not based on a worry over nuclear weapons, but on the fact that the technology would then be open to "all independent countries, especially Islamic countries."
The united front among the United States, Europe, Russia and China - reached in talks in Vienna, Austria, - puts unprecedented pressure on Tehran to accept the deal.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that Tehran must respond quickly. Otherwise, she made clear Iran would face U.N. sanctions.
Details of the offer have not been made public, but diplomats in Vienna said the deal outlines incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and return to the negotiating table - with the United States included in the talks.
(AP) Iranian Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, speaks with the media in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June...
Full Image
Uranium enrichment can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or material to make a bomb. The U.S. and several European countries believe Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to produce nuclear weapons. Tehran says the program aims only to generate electricity.
Iranian state media were dismissive of Thursday's gathering in Vienna. "The noisy 5+1 meeting ended without a new proposal for Iran," state television said.
The United States announced earlier this week that it would enter direct talks with Iran if it agrees to suspend uranium enrichment - the first time it has agreed to such a meeting since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran's nuclear program, was quoted Friday as ruling out the U.S. condition, calling it "a big insult."
"Tehran is determined to conclude its peaceful nuclear program," he said, according to the Iranian Student News Agency. "The Iranian people will not allow us to suspend enrichment ... Accepting the U.S. conditions is almost impossible."
(AP) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to the crowd during a public gathering in Zarandieh,...
Full Image
But an Iranian analyst said the mounting pressure narrows Iran's room to maneuver, especially since its longtime allies Russia and China signed onto the deal.
"Such unprecedented unity in the international community, including the representatives of Russia and China, has put Iranian officials in an awkward position. They need more time to make a decision," political analyst Mostafa Mirzaian told The Associated Press.
Throughout the impasse over Iran's nuclear program, Russia and China - major trading partners for Iran - have called for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., Britain and France, who have sought strong measures, need the cooperation of Russia and China to take such a step. Either country could veto sanctions in the Security Council.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday welcomed the U.S. offer of direct talks with Iran, saying: "This is a very important step, which gives the whole process a new dimension."
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was optimistic Iran would accept the offer. "We are hopeful that the Iranian side, acting with a sentiment of responsibility and fastidiousness, will examine the proposal and that a positive approach will emerge," he said.
Link (Iran Insists It Will Keep Nuke Technology)