Iran said on Saturday its response to an offer from world powers over its nuclear programme depends on the West showing a "logical" response to a package Tehran put forward last month. "We are waiting to receive the precise points of view of the 5+1 world powers about our package," Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
"The response of Iran to the package of the 5+1 world powers will be given taking into account a constructive and logical response of the world powers to Iran's own package," he said in a statement. Solana on Saturday presented a new offer to Mottaki on ending the six-year stand-off over its nuclear drive, offering Tehran economic and trade incentives.
Iran has put great emphasis on its own package submitted to the international community last month, which it portrays as an all-embracing drive to solve world problems, including its nuclear stand-off with the West. Mottaki described the package as evoking "the global obligations of all the countries" on the nuclear issue. He highlighted its insistence on "non-deviation (to military ends) in nuclear programmes and the creation of uranium enrichment consortiums in various countries, including Iran."
BUSH DISAPPOINTED: PARIS: US President George W. Bush said Saturday he was disappointed that Iran had rejected the "generous" European offer to settle the crisis over Tehran's suspect nuclear programme.
"I am disappointed that the leaders rejected this generous offer out of hand. It is an indication to the Iranian people that their leadership is willing to isolate them further," Bush said at a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"Iran's stance is clear. The precondition of a halt and suspension of nuclear activities cannot be brought up," Iranian government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham said in Tehran. Bush said that western demands that Iran freeze nuclear enrichment were "just and fair" and suggested that the United States and Europe were united in confronting Tehran. "Our allies understand that a nuclear-armed Iran is incredibly destabilising. They understand that it would be a major blow to world peace," said Bush.
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