The United States said yesterday that Iran should be given time to
consider incentives from major powers in exchange for curbing its nuclear
program.
"The Iranians are going to realize that this is a serious offer. It's an
offer that offers great promise for them, it offers great promise for the
region, but it's going to take some time," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.
"Let's give it time, let the Iranians take a look at what the offers are, the
incentives and disincentives. One can probably expect there to be a couple of
quick rejoinders. We counsel patience," Snow said.
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana is to deliver a package of
incentives and disincentives to Iran this week in a bid to make a settlement of
Iran's nuclear crisis.
The United States announced last week that it was willing to join
multilateral talks with Iran if the latter suspended uranium enrichment.
Iran agrees to unconditional talks, and refuses to suspend its uranium
enrichment activities, which, it says, are for peaceful purposes only.
