Iranian government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham said yeterday that the
country would not stop its disputed uranium enrichment activities.
"We are prepared to talk about anything in negotiations, (but) there should
not be any preconditions," Elham told reporters, referring to the demands by six
world powers that Iran suspends its uranium enrichment work first and gets in
return for some incentives.
"Everyone's rights must be respected in negotiations, and it also must be
pursued with equality and understanding," said the spokesman, adding suspending
the nuclear work could bring "inequity" to Iran.
Meanwhile, Elham stressed that the Islamic Republic "still believes the
proposals handed by Europeans a good chance to resolve the nuclear issue through
dialogue and diplomacy".
The European Union big three -- France, Britain and Germany -- introduced
Thursday a draft resolution on the Iranian nuclear issue to the UN Security
Council, calling on Iran to suspend all enrichment-related activities.
The United States and some of its allies have accused Iran of working on
highly enriched uranium and plutonium which are essential materials for making
nuclear weapons, while Tehran has insisted on its right to develop a peaceful
nuclear program aimed at generating electricity only.
On June 6, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana presented Iran with a
package concerning the Iranian nuclear issue, which was agreed on by the five
permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.
The proposal includes both incentives aimed at persuading Iran to suspend
uranium enrichment and possible sanctions if Iran does not comply.
Frustrated by Iran's refrain from giving an official response to the offer
sooner, the six countries agreed on July 12 to return Iran's nuclear issue to
the UN Security Council.
The move drew a strong reaction from the Iranian government. Iran's top
officials have warned that Iran would revise cooperation with the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and may quit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if
the West is not sincere on the nuclear issue.