US: Iran nuclear proposal is not enough
The United States said today an offer by Iran to hold negotiations on its nuclear weapons but not to halt enriching uranium falls short of UN demands.
A State Department statement acknowledged the US did consider the proposal Iran was making to be a serious one, adding: “We will review it.”
But it went on to say Iran’s response to the joint offer by the US and the European Union of concessions if the enrichment programme was halted “falls short of the conditions set by the Security Council.”
The statement, issued by acting spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos, reminded Tehran that the council requires full and verifiable suspension of all uranium-enrichment activity.
Earlier, France had taken a firm and quick stand on Iran's response. Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Iran must suspend uranium enrichment if it wanted to return to negotiations.
Russia’s foreign ministry, evidently ambivalent, said it would continue to seek a negotiated solution. And China appealed for dialogue, urging “constructive measures” by Iran and patience from the US and its allies.
Iran met its self-imposed deadline yesterday for responding to the US-European offer, which includes the possibility of US help for civilian nuclear programmes - but only if Iran stops uranium enrichment, a key step in making nuclear weapons.
The UN Security Council, meanwhile, has set the end of the month for Iran to respond to its demand for suspension of uranium enrichment.
The Bush administration has warned Iran that if it fails to comply the US will pursue sanctions in the Security Council. This could range from minor punitive measures to hampering Iran’s trade.
The House of Representatives’ Intelligence Committee, meanwhile, issued a report that concluded Iran was a strategic threat and a country focused on developing nuclear weapons capability. It also linked Iran to Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist groups.
“Iran’s support of radical Islamists with weapons and money demonstrates in real terms the danger it poses to America and our allies,” said the committee’s chairman Peter Hoekstra. He said Iran “will not be satisfied until it poses a threat to the entire world.”
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