Iran rules out nuclear halt after powers offer deal

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Reuters

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Top EU diplomat Javier Solana handed Iran an offer by six major powers of trade and other benefits on Saturday to try to coax it into halting sensitive nuclear work, but Tehran again ruled out any such suspension.

The United States and its European allies have warned the Islamic Republic of more sanctions if it presses ahead with a nuclear program they fear is aimed at making bombs.

The world's fourth-largest crude producer is refusing to stop activities it says are for generating electricity.

"Iran's view is clear: any precondition is unacceptable," government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said when asked about the package of incentives offered by the United States, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany.

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[FarCenter]

1. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- will also take part in the talks.

http://www.thehindu.com/holnus/003200806141423.htm

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"If it exists (a demand for a suspension of enrichment), it cannot be considered at all...if the issue of suspension is relied upon, the (nuclear) issue will not change," said Elham.

Iran will make its decision on the package "after a precise examination," he added.

Solana arrived in Tehran late on Friday for talks aimed at solving Iran's standoff with the West over its nuclear program.

Representatives of five of the six main powers --- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- will also take part in the talks. The United States is absent from the talks because it has no diplomatic relations with Tehran since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

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