Big powers study Iran offer

TEHRAN – Six world powers were studying Iran’s offer of more talks to resolve a nuclear dispute yesterday to determine if Tehran’s response went far enough to avert the threat of UN sanctions.

Iran said its reply to the powers’ nuclear incentives offer contained ideas that would allow serious talks about its stand off to start straight away. France said world powers would take a few days to assess the response.But there was no sign Tehran had agreed to a key UN Security Council demand that it freeze uranium enrichment by August 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.Iran has called the deadline meaningless.The five permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany, which offered Iran economic and other incentives to stop enrichment, were tight-lipped about the reply’s contents.”It is a very long, complex document and we are studying it,” French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told France 2 television.”In a few days, along with our European, American, Russian and Chinese partners we will say what we think and what we will do at the UN Security Council.”One EU diplomat said Tehran’s reply ran to 21 pages.European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who gave the offer to Iran in June, said it was “extensive and therefore requires a detailed and careful analysis”.The White House said on Tuesday US President George W.Bush had yet to examine the reply.But US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said Washington was ready to move quickly on a resolution seeking sanctions if Tehran rejected the offer.Analysts say Iran’s answer was probably designed to divide Security Council members Russia and China, both key trade partners of Tehran, from the United States, France and Britain which have backed tougher sanctions.A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged Iran to consider international concerns and take “constructive steps”, but added: “We also hope that other parties remain patient and calm.”Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying: “Russia will continue with the idea of seeking a political, negotiated settlement concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.”he asked.Nampa-ReutersFrance said world powers would take a few days to assess the response.But there was no sign Tehran had agreed to a key UN Security Council demand that it freeze uranium enrichment by August 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.Iran has called the deadline meaningless.The five permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany, which offered Iran economic and other incentives to stop enrichment, were tight-lipped about the reply’s contents.”It is a very long, complex document and we are studying it,” French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told France 2 television.”In a few days, along with our European, American, Russian and Chinese partners we will say what we think and what we will do at the UN Security Council.”One EU diplomat said Tehran’s reply ran to 21 pages.European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who gave the offer to Iran in June, said it was “extensive and therefore requires a detailed and careful analysis”.The White House said on Tuesday US President George W.Bush had yet to examine the reply.But US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said Washington was ready to move quickly on a resolution seeking sanctions if Tehran rejected the offer.Analysts say Iran’s answer was probably designed to divide Security Council members Russia and China, both key trade partners of Tehran, from the United States, France and Britain which have backed tougher sanctions.A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged Iran to consider international concerns and take “constructive steps”, but added: “We also hope that other parties remain patient and calm.”Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying: “Russia will continue with the idea of seeking a political, negotiated settlement concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.”he asked.Nampa-Reuters