[Marxism] Iran Welcomes Unconditional Talks

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It seems there is only one country on the planet with which the
Unite States government refuses to conduct negotiations regarding
disputed issues. Its name has four letters. I'll give you a hint:
It isn't Togo, Mali or Chad, either. And while one cannot be sure
that there will be a satisfactory outcome of such discussions, it
is certainly good to see that Washington has felt compelled now
to talk to a government it has refused to talk to in decades. If
nothing else, it shows that the Iranian president's long letter
to Bush has had at least this important positive consequence.)
==================================================================

June 3, 2006 10:39 a.m. EDT

Iran Welcomes Unconditional Talks
Associated Press
June 3, 2006 10:39 a.m.


TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's president told United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Saturday that a breakthrough in
negotiations over its nuclear program was possible, and he welcomed
unconditional talks with all parties, including the U.S.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said a settlement could take place as
long as the International Atomic Energy Agency preserved Tehran's
right to use atomic energy, Iran's state-run television reported.

"A breakthrough to overcome world problems, including Iran's nuclear
case, would be the equal implementation of the law for all," Mr.
Ahmadinejad is quoted as telling Mr. Annan in a telephone
conversation. Mr. Ahmadinejad's comments alluded to the fact that
Iran has signed the IAEA treaty, which allows member states to pursue
nuclear energy for peaceful uses.

In a major policy shift, the U.S. agreed this week to join France,
Britain and Germany in talks with Iran, provided Tehran suspends all
suspect nuclear activities. It would be the first major public
negotiations between Washington and Tehran in more than 25 years.

Six world powers decided Thursday to offer Iran a new package of
incentives if it gives up uranium enrichment or impose sanctions if
it refuses.

The U.S. warned Friday that Iran does not have much time to respond
to the proposal, suggesting that the window could close and be
replaced by penalties.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said European Union
foreign policy chief Javier Solana would deliver the package to
Iranian officials in the next few days. "We are waiting to officially
receive the proposals. We will make our views known after studying
the package," Mr. Mottaki said Saturday. He added that Iran would
join no talks if conditions were attached.

At an Asian security conference, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
said Washington was still hoping for a positive Iranian response to
the new incentives package. He said he hoped Iran would "recognize
the seriousness and substance" of what had been put forward.

The package, agreed upon by the five permanent members of the U.N.
Security Council and Germany, carries the threat of U.N. sanctions if
Tehran remains defiant over its nuclear program.

Copyright C 2006 Associated Press


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