U.S., Europeans split over offer to Iran (NYT)

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U.S., Europeans split over offer to Iran-
NY Times
20 May 2006 06:02:48 GMT
Source: Reuters


NEW YORK, May 20 (Reuters) - The United States and Europe are divided over negotiations with Iran, with the Bush administration resisting a new European offer that includes a proposal for a Middle East security "framework" for Iran if it gives up its nuclear activities, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Citing diplomats from each side as well as other officials, all of whom requested anonymity, the Times reported that the Bush administration was also resisting the idea of protecting European companies from punishment by Washington if they did business with Iran, an idea put forth in the European proposal, the Times said.

The newspaper said the disagreements in the negotiations are clouding the possibility of a deal with Iran on its nuclear program at a time when tensions are increasing over Tehran's inflexibility. The diplomats also told the newspaper that Europe, the United States and Russia have not agreed on the need to impose sanctions on Iran if it continues its defiance.

Both U.S. and European officials told the Times that the European proposals for dealing with Iran were transmitted to the United States on Thursday, and the newspaper said the proposals were being studied by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and others.

"The U.S. has received a European proposal but has not yet responded to it," the Times quoted a senior administration official as saying before adding that the American answer would be conveyed on Wednesday at a meeting of senior envoys in London. Also slated for discussion are sanctions if Iran continues activities believed to be part of a weapons program.


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