• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Iran won't discuss enrichment freeze in next talks

GENEVA
Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:13pm EDT

Related Video

GENEVA (Reuters) - Iran's top nuclear negotiator ruled out on Saturday discussion of freezing uranium enrichment at any subsequent round of talks with major powers.

World

Asked by Reuters if Tehran would consider a demand to freeze enrichment as a precondition for full negotiations on its nuclear programme, Saeed Jalili said: "We will only discuss common points of the package."

World powers, which have offered Iran a new package of incentives to resolve the nuclear dispute, have suggested that Tehran must freeze any expansion of its nuclear programme in return for the U.N. Security Council halting further sanctions measures.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who met Jalili in Geneva, said Iran has failed to provide a clear answer to world demands.

But a senior Iranian diplomat at the Geneva talks said: "Of course we will not discuss the freeze-for-freeze topic in the next meeting with Solana. First we would like to discuss the common points and if an agreement is reached then we can discuss our differences."

"The freeze-for-freeze issue cannot be accepted because this (enrichment) is our right and we will never abandon our nuclear right," he added.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi; editing by Sami Aboudi)



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article