Iran: Atomic work will go on despite deadline
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-08-28 09:25
Last Tuesday, Iran responded formally to the package of incentives proposed
by the six powers. It said the 21-page document contained ideas that would allow
serious talks, but gave no sign it was prepared to halt or suspend enrichment.
"I repeat that Iran is fully prepared to hold constructive and fair talks
anywhere and anytime with the foreign ministers of the (six major powers) over
... the nuclear issue," state television quoted Larijani as saying.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said: "The world must not delude itself
that Iran seeks some sort of real dialogue. They want to buy time. They must not
be allowed to do so. Sanctions must be under way. The sooner, the better."
The group of six say they will hold off on any action until after an August
31 report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), that will judge whether Iran has halted enrichment-related activity or
not.
Diplomats close to the Vienna-based IAEA say the verdict is all but
inevitable -- Iranian nuclear activity continues -- but that the West could not
reasonably have expected otherwise.
"A lot of the media focus has been on Iran's offer being unacceptable because
it didn't include the upfront agreement to suspend enrichment," said one
diplomat, declining to be named.
"But no one, from (U.S. ambassador to the United Nations) John Bolton to
Cinderella's fairy godmother, actually expected that to happen," said the
diplomat.
"What Iran did offer -- a thoughtful counter-proposal that did not rule out
suspension as part of negotiations -- was as positive as anyone could have hoped
for."
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday he would
meet Larijani in coming days to discuss "new elements" raised in Iran's
response.
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